Tile grout is a porous substance that easily absorbs stains and dirt. If you want to avoid stains and dirt getting into your grout, then the best thing to do is seal your grout. There are two categories of sealant that you can use. One is more appropriate for floors and the other is more appropriate for wet environments like the shower or bathtub. There are obvious benefits to sealing your gout, but there are also side effects that might be considered negatives.

The first category of grout sealant is topical sealers. The way these sealers work is that they form a membrane on top of the grout that resists water and other materials that might stain your grout. They usually have a glossy finish that some people do not like and they need to be reapplied often because they wear off. This variety of grout sealer is better for floors because the water in your shower will eventually find its way under the sealant and get trapped. If the grout is never able to dry, then mold and mildew can become a real problem. In addition, you could see your grout start to rot away.

Penetrating sealers are better for showers and wet environments. Typically small pieces of silicone or latex are dissolved in a liquid base such as water or mineral spirits. The liquid works its way down into the porous grout. As the liquid evaporates the solid pieces are left behind and fill all the empty porous sections of the grout forming a barrier. Since those porous holes are no longer there, dirt and liquids that can cause stains cannot work their way down into the grout. When you apply this sealer, the grout often look slightly darker than it did before application. Therefore, if you are using a penetrating sealant of colored grout, you should test it first to make sure it will not negatively affect our aesthetic. Penetrating sealers do last much longer than topical sealers, but you should still reapply every two years or so. Another helpful tip is that when you are applying penetrating sealers, make sure that you wipe off any extra that finds its way onto the tiles because once it dries it is almost impossible to get off. If there is grout sealer on your tile, no grout cleaning tips will help you get it off.