First few minutes
Just happened? Do this first
- Act while it's wet. Latex that has dried for 6 to 8 hours is very hard to remove.
- Blot wet paint, and don't rub it deeper into the joints.
- For thick paint, ease it up with a rounded spoon, working from the edges inward.
- Oil-based paint needs the solvent on its label, so check the can before you start.
Paint in grout is a different problem from paint on tile, since the stain settles into the lines. Cement-based grout takes set stains into itself, while epoxy grout always cleans up to its first shade. Knowing which one you have sets the limit on how aggressive you can be.
Go slowly on latex paint in grout, and check the color after each pass so you can tell whether it's coming out. Paint in the lines can look stuck even while it's loosening, so don't rush it. If the stain hangs on, step up to a product made for grout, but test it on a hidden spot before you commit.
Before you start
What grout can take
Safe to use4
- Water
- Hot water
- Enzyme cleaners
- Heat, once the stain is out
Use with care5
- Soaking
- Chlorine bleach
- Solvents (alcohol, spot removers)
- Acids (vinegar, lemon)
- Scrubbing and abrasives
8 items
What you'll need
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- Paper towels or a clean clothTo blot and wipe up wet paint before it spreads. (opens Amazon)
- Rounded spoonTo ease thick paint out of the joints without digging into the grout.
- White nylon padThe recommended tool for scrubbing grout. (opens Amazon)
- Soft nylon brushFor working the cleaner into grout lines. (opens Amazon)
- Mild cleaner made for tile and groutA gentle option that suits grout and sealer when used routinely. (opens Amazon)
- Mop or wet vacuumTo pick up the dirty solution before it dries. (opens Amazon)
- Clean waterFor the final rinse.
- Solvent named on the paint can (oil-based paint only)The thinner the label recommends for oil-based paint.
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5 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 5
Wipe up the wet paint
Blot liquid paint right away with a paper towel or cloth, pressing rather than rubbing. For thick paint, ease it up with a rounded spoon, working from the edges toward the center so it doesn't spread across the grout.
Step 2 of 5
Scrub with warm water
Scrub the grout with warm water and a white nylon pad for at least 60 seconds. Many fresh stains lift at this stage, so check the grout before you reach for any cleaner.
Tip. Work in short sections so the water doesn't carry paint into the next one.
Step 3 of 5
Test the cleaner first
Before you use any cleaner, test it on a small, inconspicuous area of grout and let it dry. Check the result once it's dry, and skip that cleaner if the grout looks different from the rest.
Tip. If you don't know whether your grout is cement or epoxy, treat it as cement and keep to the gentlest option.
Step 4 of 5A few minutes
Work in the tile-and-grout cleaner
If paint remains, apply a mild cleaner made for tile and grout to the stain. Let it sit a few minutes, then agitate with a soft nylon brush or the nylon pad.
Careful. Don't let the cleaning solution dry on the surface.
Step 5 of 5
Lift and rinse the grout
Pick up the dirty solution with a mop or wet vacuum before it dries. Rinse with clean water, then let the area dry completely.
Careful. Leftover cleaner leaves a sticky film that attracts dirt, so rinse it out fully.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for paint on grout
Look for a cleaner labeled for tile and grout that is mild rather than a heavy-duty alkaline or acid product. Nylon brushes and white nylon pads are the recommended tools, so skip wire brushes.
Goof Off Professional Strength Remover
Goo Gone Pro-Power Goo & Adhesive Remover
Zep Grout Cleaner & Brightener
How we picked these: each product is made for this type of stain, its maker doesn't warn against using it on grout, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished the steps? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely and check it again in good light. Here is what done looks like:
How to tell it's really gone →A faint mark usually needs one more round, not a stronger product.
If the stain was already dried or set, the method changes.
Old, dried or set-in stains →When to call a professional →How to tell it's working
The grout should look like its normal color, with no paint left in the joints. Judge the result only once the area is fully dry, since damp grout looks darker than it will when dry.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your grout
Removing grout paint from grout lines
Thin grout lines hold paint in place, so work one line at a time rather than the whole area. Run the nylon brush along the line, not across it, so the paint doesn't spread onto the tile.
Once the line is clear, rinse it with clean water and let it dry before you judge the color.
Paint on tile grout, grout lines, and floor grout
Tile and floor grout take the same steps as any other grout, starting with wiping up the wet paint and scrubbing with warm water. On floors, the change is the pickup: lift the dirty solution with a mop or wet vacuum before it dries so it doesn't settle back into the joints.
Work one section at a time so the cleaner doesn't dry, and rinse each section before you move on. Let the floor dry fully before you walk on it.
Latex and water-based paint on grout
Latex is the easiest paint to deal with, because it can be sponged out with water and detergent while it's still wet. Once it has dried for 6 to 8 hours, removal becomes very difficult, so don't wait.
Blot it up and go straight to the warm water scrub. If the paint has started to set but is still soft, the tile-and-grout cleaner comes next, and the set-in section covers anything that has hardened.
Oil-based, gloss, acrylic, emulsion, and spray paint on grout
Oil-based paint isn't water-soluble, so warm water and detergent won't lift it. Use the solvent the paint label recommends as a thinner, and test it on a hidden spot first.
If you're not sure which base the paint has, check the can before you choose a solvent. Work in small sections and wipe the solvent off with a clean cloth before it dries.
Old, dried or set-in stains
Old paint that has sat in grout for a while usually needs more than one pass. Repeat the cleaner and nylon-brush steps, then give the stain a second scrub with the nylon pad. For greasy soil mixed into the paint, use the alkaline cleaner made for tile and grout: dampen the grout, let it dwell 3 to 4 minutes, scrub with a white nylon pad for at least 60 seconds, rinse, and repeat if needed.
Once latex paint has dried, it may become permanent, and the easy window has closed. On cement grout, a stain that has set can stay in the grout, so set your expectations before you start. Epoxy grout is different, and it can be cleaned back to its original color.
If the paint is still there, pressurized steam can clean stains that resist conventional cleaners. For deep or stubborn stains on cement grout, repeat the alkaline dwell and the 60-second nylon-pad scrub before moving on. A bleaching cleanser on a nylon pad is a last resort for epoxy grout only, and only after everything else has been rinsed out.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on paint on grout?
Most kitchen remedies you'll see online don't belong on grout, because acids and general cleaners damage cement-based grout. Warm water, a cleaner made for tile and grout, and a nylon pad do the work. Steer clear of the harsher remedies, since cement-based grout doesn't forgive them.
Skip5Avoid1
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't use strong acid on grout
Strong acid can make grout lose its color or turn powdery or sandy, and it dulls glazed tile. Stick to a cleaner made for tile and grout, which handles paint on grout without that risk.
Don't scrub grout with harsh cleaners
Strong alkaline, acidic, abrasive or ammonia-based cleaners can damage grout and greatly reduce how well the sealer repels stains. A mild cleaner and a nylon pad do the job without that trade-off.
Don't clean grout with oil or wax products
Oil- and wax-based cleaners leave a film in the grout that stays there. Stick to a water-based cleaner made for tile and grout.
Don't use solvent without ventilation
Use solvents only with good ventilation and no open flame, pilot light or sparks nearby. Open a window or run a fan before you open the thinner, and keep the area clear of anything that can spark.
Don't mix bleach with ammonia
Bleach and ammonia form a toxic gas when mixed, and that includes ammonia-containing detergents. Read the label of any cleaner before you combine it with another, and rinse the area between products.
When to call a professional
If the paint is deeply set in cement grout or the set-in steps don't clear it, contact the grout maker's technical support for advice on which cleaner suits your grout. Acid work for deposits needs extreme care, so hire a professional for that rather than trying it yourself.
Questions
Is red paint harder to lift from grout?
Red paint follows the same steps as any other paint, so start by wiping up the wet paint and scrubbing with warm water and a white nylon pad. If it has dried, move to the tile-and-grout cleaner and then the set-in options for stubborn spots.
Is vinegar a safe choice for grout?
No, not on cement-based grout. Vinegar is an acid, and acids etch cement-based grout, so a mild cleaner made for tile and grout is the safer choice.
How long do I have before latex paint is hard to remove?
After latex paint has dried for 6 to 8 hours, removal is very difficult. Wipe it up while it's wet, since water and detergent work best before it sets.
Can I use a steel brush on paint in grout lines?
Stick to nylon brushes and white nylon pads, which are the recommended tools for grout. That means there's no need to reach for metal, even in thin lines.
What if the paint is oil-based?
Solvent is the route for oil-based paint, since water won't dissolve it. Use the thinner the label recommends, and test it on a hidden spot before you work on the grout.
Can I clean paint from floor grout the same way?
Yes, the same steps work for floor grout. Pick up the dirty solution with a mop or wet vacuum before it dries so it doesn't settle back into the joints.
How do I know whether my grout is cement or epoxy?
Check any product packaging or installer records if you have them. If you still can't tell, treat the grout as cement-based and stick to the gentlest steps.
Paint on other materials
Other stains on grout
Start from the bigger picture
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.