How to refresh your tile floor for under a dollar

This is the after photo.  I am sooo happy with it!

This is the before.  Years of wear had discolored the grout.  I’d tried peroxide, bleach, scrubbing with a tooth brush, every kind of soap and cleanser I could try.

I even hired a company to steam clean the floor.  No luck, the grout was turning black in the heavily trafficked areas.

I cannot speak for the longevity of this solution- yet.  But as someone who works with paint a lot and understands the properties of it, I’m not too worried.  

And even if I only get a year or two out of it, it is a fast, cheap solution.  I could spring for another 79 cent bottle of acrylic craft paint and an hour of my time to redo it.

Here are the tricks I learned- 

• Using a brush that fits the grout line, apply the paint full strength, not watered down.
• Keep a wet towel handy for mopping up big smears on the tile.
• Don't fret the small smears.  Grout is porous and it’s “tooth” will hold acrylic paint.  Smooth, porcelain tile will not.  So, paint the lines and if you get a bit on the squares, just wait till it’s all dry, and wet mop.  The lines will stay painted, the tiles will come clean.  But very important- don’t wait too long or you might need some elbow grease to remove it.  It will come off, but will be harder if you leave it more than a few hours.