You can make old grout look new again by deep-cleaning with an alkaline cleaner and a stiff-bristled brush, applying a grout colour sealer or restorer for surface-level discolouration, or for cracked, crumbling, mouldy, or leaking grout, removing the old grout entirely and having it professionally regrouted with fresh, sealed product that restores both appearance and waterproofing.
Damaged grout in a shower is one of the leading causes of water leakage through walls and floors in Sydney homes, and a leaking shower left unattended can cause timber rot, mould, and structural damage that costs thousands to remediate.
Let us walk you through every option, from the quick DIY fixes to the professional solutions that actually solve the problem for good.
If your grout is intact but stained- no cracks, no crumbling, no signs of leaking, just discolouration a thorough clean can make a meaningful difference. Here's what actually works.
Step 1: The alkaline cleaner approach
Avoid bleach as your first resort. It only removes the visible stain without addressing the soap scum, mineral deposits, or organic matter embedded in the grout. Over time, repeated bleach use also weakens grout structure.
For black mould:Â Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray, leave for 15 minutes, then scrub. For stubborn mould, a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide applied directly to the affected lines and left for 20 minutes before scrubbing can penetrate deeper.
Step 2: Steam cleaning
If you have access to a steam cleaner, grout responds extremely well to steam. The high-temperature steam breaks down soap scum, mineral deposits, and mould at the microscopic level without chemicals.
Step 3: Rinse thoroughly
Rinse with clean water, top to bottom, ensuring no cleaning product residue remains in the grout lines. Residue left in grout actually attracts more dirt and soap scum, making future cleaning harder.
Step 4: Allow to dry completely before sealing
Before any sealer is applied, grout must be completely dry, ideally 24 hours with good ventilation. Sealing over damp grout traps moisture and accelerates mould growth underneath.
But if the grout has been neglected for several years, cleaning will improve it, not restore it to new. Deeply embedded staining, persistent mould (that comes back within weeks), and any structural damage cannot be fixed by cleaning alone.
If cleaning hasn't delivered the result you hoped for, a grout colour sealer is the next step.
How they work
Grout colour sealers are applied with a small brush directly to the grout lines after thorough cleaning and drying. The result, when applied correctly, can be genuinely impressive making visually tired grout look fresh and consistently coloured.
When they work well
When they won't help
Application Tips
If your grout has failed, with obvious cracks, crumbling, loose sections. Cleaning and colour sealing are not the solutions. The grout needs to come out and be replaced. For small areas in low-risk locations (a kitchen splashback, a bathroom floor away from the shower recess), DIY regrouting is achievable.
What You'll Need
Step 1: Remove the old grout.
Work the oscillating tool or grout rake carefully along the grout line, removing material to a depth of approximately 5–6mm without damaging the tile edges. Vacuum and clean the joints thoroughly.
Step 2: Clean the joints.
Vacuum out all dust and debris. Wipe the tile faces and joints with a damp cloth and allow to dry completely.
Step 3: Mix and apply new grout.
Mix grout to a smooth, peanut butter-like consistency (if using dry grout). Apply with a grout float, working diagonally across the tiles to press grout firmly into the joints. Remove excess from tile faces.
Step 4: Clean tile faces.
After 15–20 minutes, use a damp sponge to clean grout haze from tile surfaces. Rinse the sponge frequently. A second clean after another 20 minutes removes remaining haze.
Step 5: Seal the grout.
Once fully cured (minimum 72 hours, ideally 7 days), apply a grout sealer to cement grout. This step is skipped for epoxy grout, which is inherently non-porous.
DIY regrouting for a splashback or small floor area is manageable. Poor waterproofing at the shower base and wall junctions is the cause of most shower leaks in Sydney. If you're regrouting in or around a shower, professional execution is strongly recommended.
For shower recesses, bathroom floors, and any wet area where the grout has failed or where a shower leak is suspected, professional tile regrouting delivers results that DIY approaches simply cannot match.
Thorough preparation. Professional regrouting specialists remove all old, failed grout to the correct depth using tools that minimise the risk of tile damage. Experts identify any loose or cracked tiles that need to be addressed before regrouting.
Correct waterproofing at junctions. A professional will correctly remove and replace the silicone at this junction with the right product, ensuring the waterproof seal is continuous and correctly bonded.
Epoxy grout for wet areas. Professional regrouting specialists use epoxy grout for showers and wet areas, not standard cement grout. The difference is significant.
Saba Seal is Sydney's most trusted shower sealing and regrouting specialist, an Australian family-owned business with over 15 years of experience, a lifetime guarantee on all shower seal repairs, and a review record that speaks for itself.
Can old grout really be made to look new without replacing it?
Yes. If the grout is structurally sound and the problem is surface staining only. Professional cleaning, colour sealing, or epoxy regrout coating can restore the appearance significantly. But if the grout is cracked, crumbling, or associated with a leaking shower, restoration requires removal and replacement.
How long does professional regrouting last?
Professional regrouting with epoxy grout in a shower recess typically lasts 15–25 years with normal use. Standard cement grout in wet areas typically lasts 5–10 years before requiring attention. The Saba Seal lifetime warranty on shower seal repairs provides additional peace of mind.
My shower has been leaking for a while. Is it too late to regrout, or do I need a full bathroom renovation?
In 90% of cases, Saba Seal can repair a leaking shower through professional regrouting and resealing without removing any tiles. Even showers that have been leaking for some time can often be restored through this method. The sooner you call, the less likely it is that the water damage behind the tiles has progressed to the point requiring more extensive remediation.
Can Saba Seal match the new grout colour to my existing tiles?
Absolutely! Saba Seal offers a wide range of grout colours and takes care to match the new grout to your tiles' colour and style. Epoxy grout maintains its colour more consistently than cement grout, so the match stays accurate over time.
Saba Seal has spent 15 years solving exactly this problem for Sydney homeowners, restoring tired, leaking, deteriorated showers to a condition that their owners describe, consistently and genuinely, as "brand new." Without removing tiles. In a single day. With a lifetime guarantee.
Get a free quote from Sydney's most trusted shower sealing and regrouting specialists based on photos of your shower, no site visit required.
