How to remove grout: A step-by-step guide 2026

Whether you're looking to fit new tiles, remove mould or simply refresh your grout, knowing how to remove the old grout can help complete this potentially tricky task to a high standard.

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Grout does a lot of quiet work in your bathroom or kitchen. It binds your tiles together, keeps moisture out of the walls and floor beneath, and plays a big part in how clean and finished a tiled room actually looks.

Over time, though, it stains, cracks, and becomes mould-speckled - and that's usually the point people start searching for how to remove it.

Whether you're refreshing tired grout, prepping for new tiles, or trying to shift a stubborn mould problem, this guide walks you through:

• The tools you'll need

• The safest way to remove old grout by hand or with power tools

• What to do next once it's out

What you'll need to remove grout

Before you start, gather the right tools for the job. What you pick depends on how much grout you're removing and how confident you are with power tools:

• Grout saw or utility knife - Good for small, intricate areas like around fittings, but the blade dulls quickly on larger jobs

• Manual grout removal tool - A screwdriver-style tool with a carbide tip, pulled through the joint to scrape grout out

• Oscillating multi-tool with a grout removal blade, or a rotary tool - The quickest option for larger areas, and gives you more control than a full-size power tool

• Chisel or flat-blade screwdriver - Handy for coaxing out stubborn bits a power tool leaves behind

• Safety goggles and a dust mask - Grout dust is a respiratory irritant, so don't skip this

• Dustpan, brush and vacuum - For clearing debris as you go

How to remove grout from tile joints

Here's how to remove old grout, whether you're using hand tools or power tools:

Step one: choose your tool

Utility knives and grout saws work well for tight or intricate areas, but they're slow going and best reserved for small sections.

For anything more than a splashback, an electric tool with a grout removal attachment will get the job done faster and with less strain on your wrist.

Step two: removing grout manually

If you're using a utility knife or grout saw, hold it at roughly a 45-degree angle to the tile.

Use short, controlled strokes rather than sawing hard in one direction - think of it as similar to brushing your teeth, not hacking through wood. You're aiming to remove around half the depth of the grout, so if it's 6mm thick, take out about 3mm.

Work carefully and keep the blade away from the tile edges to avoid scratching the glaze.

Step three: removing grout with a power tool

Fit the grout removal blade or attachment and set the tool to a low-to-medium speed to start.

Let the blade do the work rather than pressing hard - forcing it increases the risk of chipping tiles, particularly around the edges of the room.

Step four: inspect your work

Once the grout's out, check every joint. New grout needs a clean, sufficiently deep gap to bond properly, so any patches where the old grout is still sitting proud will cause problems later.

Step five: clean up

Clear away the old grout and dust, wipe down your tools, and give the tiled area a final vacuum before you move on to regrouting or leave it prepped for new tiles.

Don't have the time or equipment to get the job done yourself? Download our free mobile app to contact an experienced local tiler local to you.

How to remove dried grout haze from tile surfaces

Grout residue left on the face of the tiles - often called grout haze - is a separate problem from the grout sitting in the joints.

It's most common after a new installation, but it can also show up if you've smeared grout while removing old joints.

• Fresh spills: Warm water and a damp cloth will usually shift grout that hasn't fully cured. Add a few drops of washing-up liquid if plain water isn't enough

• Not-yet-cured haze: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, apply, leave for around 15 minutes, then scrub and rinse

• Fully cured haze: A rubber grout float held at a 45-degree angle can scrape it away without scratching the tile. For thicker patches, a wooden or plastic scraper works, but go carefully as these can mark softer tile surfaces

• Stubborn residue: Use a commercial grout haze remover, following the manufacturer's instructions, or gently rub a wet pumice stone over the tile for very stubborn cases

Once the haze is gone, rinse thoroughly with warm water and dry with a clean cloth to avoid water spots.

How to remove mould from grout

Mould thrives in damp, poorly ventilated spaces - bathrooms and the tiles behind a kitchen sink are the usual culprits. Here's how to deal with it:

Step one: prepare the area

Wear gloves and goggles, and open a window or turn on the extractor fan before you start.

Step two: try a natural cleaner first

Vinegar and baking soda are both effective against mild mould and gentler on your grout than stronger chemicals. Spray neat vinegar onto the mould, leave for a few hours, then scrub with a stiff brush (or an old toothbrush can be handy for a detail clean!) and rinse.

Alternatively, mix baking soda with a little water into a paste, apply, leave for a few hours, then scrub and rinse.

Step three: step up to a commercial mould remover

If natural cleaners haven't shifted it, a commercial mould remover is the next step. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Step four: diluted bleach for stubborn cases

Bleach is more effective but harsher, and it can strip colour from coloured grout. Mix one part bleach to four parts water, spray directly onto the mould, leave for around 10 minutes, then scrub and rinse thoroughly.

Step five: dry the area completely

Whichever method you use, dry the grout fully afterwards with a cloth or fan. Damp grout is what invites mould back in.

To stop mould returning, seal the grout with a quality sealer, improve ventilation, and clean the area regularly.

Is scrubbing not shifting the mould or staining? See what a professional tile and grout clean typically costs below.

How much does it cost to have tiles professionally cleaned?

If you’ve never considered it before, tile and grout cleaning costs are actually very reasonable, and in a few hours, they can restore the showroom shine to tired tiles. In this tile and cleaning cost guide, we explore the reasons why you may want to get your tiles cleaned, and what professional tile and grout cleaning is likely to cost you.

Learn more

Regrouting: when to do it and what it costs

If your grout is cracked, stained beyond cleaning, or you've just finished removing it to fit new tiles, regrouting is usually far cheaper than a full retile - and it's often all a tired-looking bathroom needs.

Here's a quick guide to what you can expect to pay:

• Small tiled area (splashback or single wall): from around £15

• Standard bathroom (walls and floor): typically £380

• Shower enclosure only: typically £160

However, if you're only considering regrouting because the tiles themselves are cracked, chipped or badly fitted, it's worth comparing against the cost of a full retile using our tiling cost guide before deciding.

Grout removal and regrouting cost calculator

Want a rough idea of what your job might cost before you contact anyone?

Checkatrade's AI-assisted job estimate calculator uses data from real past jobs to give you a ballpark figure for grout removal and regrouting work in your area.

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Who should you call: tiler, cleaner or damp specialist?

Not every grout problem needs the same tradesperson:

• Cracked or crumbling grout - A tiler is your best bet for removal and regrouting

• Deep-set staining or mould that keeps returning - A specialist tile and grout cleaner can often shift what DIY scrubbing can't

• If mould keeps coming back no matter what you try - It may be worth getting a mould removal specialist to check for an underlying damp issue

• If you're regrouting as part of a wider refresh - A bathroom fitter can advise on whether it's worth doing more while the room's already disrupted

On Checkatrade, you'll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass up to 12 checks.

How to find a reliable tiler

If the job's bigger than you'd like to tackle yourself, or the grout removal has revealed damage you're not equipped to fix, it's time to bring in a professional.

When you're comparing tilers, it's worth checking:

• They hold public liability insurance (broken tiles can happen)

• They can show you examples of previous regrouting or tiling work

• Their quote clearly states what's included - grout removal, new grout, and sealant if needed

• How long they expect the job to take, and whether the room will be unusable while it's done

Every job booked through Checkatrade is also backed by our guarantee, giving you extra peace of mind on top of the up to 12 checks we run on our trades.

Read our hiring guide for tilers for a full breakdown of what to ask before you book.

Preparing for a grout removal or regrouting job

Whether you're doing it yourself or having a tiler in, a bit of prep makes the job smoother:

• Clear the area of bath mats, toiletries and anything that could get in the way

• Ventilate the room well, especially if you're using bleach or commercial cleaners

• Wear goggles and a mask (removing grouting can be a messy and dusty job)

• If you're planning to regrout yourself afterwards, buy the grout in advance and check whether you need sanded or unsanded

• If a leak or damp patch might be behind the problem, get it checked before regrouting seals it in

• Consider whether the sealant around a shower enclosure needs to be replaced at the same time - it's a small extra cost but important for waterproofing

If you decide the job isn't for you, or you'd simply rather it was done properly first time, a Checkatrade-approved tiler can help.

FAQs about removing grout

Not sure who to call? Compare quotes from a tiler, a tile and grout cleaner, or a mould removal specialist to find the right fit for your job.

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