How To Seal Floor Grout After Cleaning? [Know The Method]

Grout lining between the tiles not only gets dirty easily but also holds up germs. This is why cleaning discolored and dirty grout is necessary to make the flooring look shiny as well as hygienic. But after cleaning the grout thoroughly, it is important that you seal the grout properly. If you miss out on sealing, the exposed grout would damage easily and also encourage the growth of germs. 

Sealing the floor grout after cleaning is not so difficult if you know the right method. With the right tools and knowledge, you can crack this easily. And to help you get a smooth and flat floor grout after cleaning, I am here with the article. Starting from cleaning to sealing, I will discuss everything on this matter. 

So readers, stay with me and go through the article to solve all your queries regarding floor grout sealing. Know the most and apply the tricks for a flawless sealed grout lining. 

Let’s get to the point!

5 Steps To Seal Floor Grout After Cleaning: Easy Method

Sealing the grout line is essential after you thoroughly clean the grout. A thorough cleaning can make the grout a bit vulnerable, it is important to repair and seal it. Also, you can’t avoid cleaning as otherwise, the grout will become dark, untidy, and stained. So both cleaning and sealing are very important. And it is important to do these steps correctly. 

In this section, I will brief you about the cleaning and sealing of floor grout. To make the process effective, cleaning correctly is necessary too. Therefore, starting from the cleaning, I would end in sealing the grout: 

Step 1: Clean The Grout Thoroughly 

For cleaning, you can either use a commercial grout cleaner or try some excellent home cleaners. For scrubbing the dirt away, use a soft toothbrush. Below are some natural home cleaners that you may try out for thoroughly cleaning the grout: 

• If the dirt is not stubborn, use warm water and dishwashing liquid for scrubbing away the dirt from the grout;
• To remove stubborn dirt and grease from the grout lining, a paste of baking soda and warm water would be the best. Using lemon juice and baking soda would be more effective to remove hard greasy layers;
• If you want to clear out stains, try using a solution of white vinegar and warm water; 

Apply any of these agents and scrub the grout with a soft toothbrush until you see a white and sparkling grout. Before going to the next step, make sure that the grout is dry. 45 to 60 minutes would be enough to let it dry. 

Note that after cleaning, you should repair any cracks in the grout before sealing. 

Step 2: Get The Right Sealer For Grout

Not all sealers are suitable for all types of flooring. As the sealer would touch the flooring and attach two tiles, it has to be compatible with the flooring. On top of that, you have to select the sealer depending on where you are going to apply it. Different sealers are available for different kinds of flooring and areas. So you should be careful while choosing the sealer for grout. 

Below are the four types of sealer that you can check out: 

• Water-based Sealer: Water-based sealers are used in low-traffic areas like bedrooms, living rooms, dressing rooms, etc. It is all-natural and not toxic at all;
• Solvent-based Sealer: Solvent-based sealers have chemical formulas that help tiles to bond strongly to each other. So for high-traffic and moisture areas like corridors, bathrooms, kitchens, stairs, etc. For strong and long-lasting bonding, use solvent-based sealers;
• Penetrating Sealer: As the name suggests, this sealer penetrates the grout layer and covers the pores and gaps. The sealer makes the grout water-resistant as well as repulses stains and dirt. However, you need to apply several layers of it for the best result;
• Enhancing Sealer: For an aesthetically pleasing floor that merges with the shade of the flooring, you can go for an enhancing sealer. Several layers of it would make the grout strong; 

These are the sealers that you can choose from. Ask the seller to give the sealer that suits the flooring. 

Step 3: Get The Tool For Applying The Sealer

Besides choosing the sealer, you also need to choose the right applicator. Depending on the floor and the width of the grout, you need to choose the tool for applying the sealer. Below are some options: 

• Spray-on Sealer: The easiest way to apply a sealer is to use a spraying sealer. You simply need to spray the sealer on the grout lining and let it dry;
• Sponge: Use a sponge to cover the thin grout linings. Pour the sealer on the grout lining and use the sponge to evenly distribute it throughout the grout lining;
• Brush Applicator: Not all floors allow the sealer to fix the grout. For such floorings, use a brush applicator to apply the sealer in the grout. 

Ask the seller of the sealer about choosing the application tool. 

Step 4: Apply The Sealer On The Grout

Whichever tool and sealer you use, you have to apply it very carefully. Try not to apply the sealer out of the grout lining on the floor. This is why you should go very slowly and cover one grout at a time. Section by section, move from one side of the room to the other. Make sure that the sealer is leveled to the flooring and is not popping out of the grout. 

With a cloth, remove the extra sealer that might have spread on the floor. Note that the sealer would start to dry and become hard after 5- 10 minutes of application. To remove the excess sealer as soon as possible after applying the sealer. 

Step 5: Put Another Layer Of Sealer

You should put one or two more layers of sealer on the initial layer. For maximum protection and to make the grout strong and durable, several layers of sealing are mandatory. 

So first, let the first layer of sealer dry. It may take about an hour. Then put a second coating and wait for it to dry. Then you can go for another coating if needed. And it is done!

Why Is It Important To Seal Floor Grout After Cleaning? (4 Reasons)

You can’t just miss out on applying a sealer on the floor grout after cleaning. But why? Many people don’t know the importance of sealing the floor grout. For those who are yet to understand the necessity of floor grout sealing, know the importance from the points mentioned below: 

For A Shiny And Tiptop Flooring: 

Suppose you have excellent marble or vinyl tile flooring. You have maintained the flooring very well so that it sparkles all the time. But all the grace and beauty of the flooring would be destroyed if the grout is not shiny and clean. This is why sealing is needed. 

After cleaning the grout thoroughly and sealing it properly, the floor looks tidy and tiptop. The discolored and stained grout lining vanishes and the sealer makes the grout look like a new layer of grout. Therefore, for aesthetically pleasing flooring, it is necessary to seal the flooring after cleaning. 

To Repair The Damages: 

Grout doesn’t stay intact for a lifetime. They break or crack often. And when you clean these broken areas, the grout can even come off the lining. To repair these damages, sealing is mandatory. And if you don’t seal the damaged grout, it will keep cracking and damage the flooring. 

As sealer is applied to the grout, it covers the cracks and damages. In this way, you can repair damaged grout and make it look fresh and long-lasting.

To Make It Water And Stain Resistant: 

As you seal the grout, it blocks the pores and cracks. The particles of the sealer either cover the surface pores or penetrate the surface to cover the inner gaps and pores. When this happens, the moisture and water-resistance of the grout improve.

When liquids can’t reach deep into the grout, the chances of staining reduce as well. In fact, the sealer protects the grout from getting affected by spills. Therefore, the overall stain and water resistance of the grout enhances with the sealer on it. 

To Prevent The Growth Of Germs:

The growth of mildew and mold is very common in grout lining. But sealing can considerably reduce the chance of the growth of mold and mildew and the breeding of germs. 

Sealer protects the grout from germs and also discourage their growth or breeding. Thus the flooring stays hygienic and safe. Also, the chances of discoloration reduce with the sealer on the grout. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do You Need To Reseal The Floor Grout After Cleaning? 

It is very important to seal the grout lining after cleaning. After a thorough cleaning, the grout remains exposed to external conditions. To protect it and make it durable and long-lasting, resealing the grout is necessary. 

Resealing the grout after cleaning keeps the grout protected from dirt and germs. Also, the grout comes at the same level as the floor after you seal it. Similarly, it also covers the pores and cracks that make the grout faulty. With sealing, you can also solve the issues of discoloration, breakage, poor water resistance, etc. Therefore, you should seal the grout after cleaning it to make it long-lasting and safe. 

How Frequently To Seal Floor Grout? 

Note that floor grout is not permanent. They often break and crack. Besides, the grout may become extremely porous with passing time making the grout vulnerable. 

Besides the damages, discoloration and stains can make the grout dirty and unhygienic. To fix such issues, sealing is needed. It is best if you seal the floor grout at least once in two to three years. If possible, you can even clean and seal the grout once a year. If you apply the sealer on the grout from time to time, the flooring stays intact and protected. The life of the floor increases due to regular sealing. 

How Long After Cleaning Should You Seal The Grout? 

If the grout is new, you should not apply the sealer immediately. Wait for 2 to 3 days so that the grout can sit well and dry out. After it dries out, you can apply the sealer. 

However, if you are just cleaning the old grout, you won’t need to follow the same rule. If you are applying the sealer on the old grout, clean the grout thoroughly. Next, wait for the grout to dry out so that the cleaners go away. After the grout dries, you can apply the sealer on the grout the same day. Wait till the sealer completely dries out and adheres with the grout and flooring. 

What Happens If Floor Grout Sealer Dries On Tile? 

You should be very cautious while applying the sealer to the grout. This is because you may spread the sealer on the tile accidentally. When that happens, you should remove the excess sealer immediately from the tile. 

If you don’t remove or clean out the sealer from the tiles, it would put a thin layer on the flooring. This would destroy the original look and beauty of the flooring be it ceramic marble or vinyl. It is very hard to remove the dried sealer from the tile. This is why you should keep a cloth while applying the sealer so that you can wipe it away from the flooring immediately. If it accidentally dries out before you clean it, the sealer would ruin the shine and grace of the tile. 

How Long Does It Take For Grout Sealer To Dry? 

You have to make sure that the grout sealer has dried out completely before you step on it. Thankfully, the grout sealer dries quite fast. In fact, this is the reason why it is suggested to remove the extra sealer so that it can’t spread on the tile. 

Ideally, a grout sealer would need a maximum of 1 hour to dry out and sit in the grout properly. But generally, the standard time limit for the grout sealer to dry is 3 days or 72 hours. This duration is given to ensure that the grout sealer has been completely fixed on the grout. Though the sealer starts to dry out within 5 to 7 minutes of application, it takes time to sit and settle on the grout. 

Can You Seal Tile And Grout At The Same Time?

It is not the best decision to seal tile and grout at the same time. Because you are likely to mess it up when you concentrate on both areas. Also, you should first seal the tile, check the finishing and then work on the grout to leave a smooth flooring. 

Some tile sealers needed very little time to settle down. In that case, you can seal the grout lining the same day. But if the grout is newly installed, you have to wait for at least 2 to 3 days for the grout to dry and settle down. After it settles, you can go on sealing the grout. But be very careful while sealing so that the grout sealer doesn’t touch the tile. 

Does Sealing Grout Really Work?

Yes, sealing the grout really works. It increases the longevity of the grout as well as gives a polished finish to the flooring. 

Sealing the grout puts a protective layer on the grout. It improves the moisture and stain resistance of the grout, keeps it strong and in place, and also prevents the growth of germs. Moreover, a clean and sealed grout looks great and shiny; be it ceramic flooring or vinyl. The appearance of the flooring is enhanced when the grout is sealed.

How Can You Tell If Grout Is Sealed?

It is important to know whether the grout is sealed or not. Even after sealing, you can check it once to ensure that the grout is properly sealed. But how to check that? Here is a trick!

Pour some water on the grout. If you see that the grout is absorbing the water and slowly changing its color, the grout is not sealed. But when the water slides over the grout smoothly and the grout doesn’t absorb it, the grout is properly sealed. Also, you can see the grout shiny when it is sealed. Dull grouts are generally not sealed. 

Final Thoughts: 

Now that you know A to Z about how to seal floor grout and have the best tricks, what are you waiting for? As this is one of the most fun and interesting DIY projects, you can start with the basic tools whenever you need to seal the grout. 

Using the tricks and following the steps, you can get fresh and tidy flooring and grout. Are you ready to perform this DIY?