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how to fix the wrong grout color

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I can’t believe it has been over a year and a half since I shared our laundry room makeover.  I meant to share this post about the grout mishap soon after, but somehow always forgot.  I think this could save some headaches and tears for some of you so better late than never!

When we had cabinets built in our laundry room, we also had them install tile between the two tall built ins as a backsplash for the galvanized sink.

When the tile installer showed up I handed him the tile and a bag of leftover grout from our kitchen that the builder had left in our attic.  It was going to be easy.  I just wanted the same look in here as the kitchen’s backsplash.
When I checked back in, the install was already done (he was like the Roadrunner of tile installers).  The gout was all wrong.  It wasn’t even close the the grout in the kitchen.  
This was a yellowy almond.  What the heck happened?? We don’t have this color grout anywhere in the house!  Why was this the bag of grout that was left in our attic?!  I knew it was going to be a hot mess against the gray wallpaper I was going to install. 

I didn’t want to pay for him to scrape all the grout out and start over, and I also didn’t have time since the plumber was going to be there soon to install the sink.  Instead I ran out to the hardware store and was given the answer to all grout color woes.  Enter, Polyblend Grout Renew.  Thank you, Lord!!!
I picked mine up at Home Depot (here), and you can also find it on Amazon (here).  I went with the Snow White color.  It’s actually more like a very light gray.    
To apply, I used a small craft paint brush to paint it on the grout, one tile at a time, and then wiped the excess off of the tile with a paper towel.  You don’t want to get too far ahead of yourself as it dries quickly, making it more difficult to wipe excess off.  In the picture below you can see the new grout color towards the top, the old yellow grout starts below the plumbing.  It seems so subtle in these photos, but it was a HUGE improvement in person. 

So there ya go!  An easy solution for fixing the wrong grout color.  And, it’s also perfect if you have badly stained grout that needs refreshed.  In one of our last homes I would spend hours scrubbing grout with a toothbrush trying to get it looking new again.  Ugh.  Wish I would have known about this back then!
For more on the laundry room, click here to see the full tour.
SOURCES: grout renew (I used Snow White) . walls republic wallpaper . galvanized wash basin . faucet . cabinet knobs . cabinet color (Benjamin Moore – Simply White) 
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  1. Lisa @ Shine Your Light Avatar
    Lisa @ Shine Your Light

    This is such a great tip. I spent eons painting grout with a similar product before we sold our last house – it's great for grout that has discolored over time from floor washing, etc. Um, hello, you have the prettiest laundry room EVERRRRR. Love the paper and the SINK!!!

    1. CrazyWonderful Avatar
      CrazyWonderful

      I just kept thinking to myself as I was applying it, "Where has this been all my life!?" And, thank you so much 🙂

  2. Organize. Clean. Decorate. Avatar
    Organize. Clean. Decorate.

    So so glad I found your post on IG about this and headed over! I'm thinking of taking the backsplash tile higher up the walls in a couple bathrooms and this may be my solution if the old and new grout don't match! Thank you!!!

    1. CrazyWonderful Avatar
      CrazyWonderful

      So glad you're here! That's a perfect solution!!!

  3. Denise Hietpas Avatar
    Denise Hietpas

    We just grouted our shower, and some one told us to use a color called silverado, with the gray tile we used. Well it’s so gray that it takes away from our stacked tile design. My question is, did you have to prep the grout at all ? Or were you able to just use that polyblend right away?
    And I’m so glad I saw your project. My husband thinks I’m crazy now, but he does not understand the issue of the design.
    Thank you for any advice
    Denise Hietpas
    Feel free to call me.
    920 716 7481

    1. Shelley Avatar
      Shelley

      Hi Denise! I’m glad you found it too! I did not have to prep the grout at all, I just went right over it. If I was going to use it in a shower that had already had some use, I would just make sure the grout was well cleaned before applying the Polyblend. And yes, my husband always thinks I’m crazy about this stuff too 😀

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Hi, I’m Shelley! My belief is that with a little creativity and elbow grease, you can make your home look like a million bucks without spending it.

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