Kitchens and bathrooms are amongst the highest trafficking rooms of the home.
Each space is used multiple times a day by every member of the household, usually for messy jobs like food prep or cleaning and preening rituals.
This constant use means that they’re the first places to show signs of wear. From peeling paint and stained walls to tarnished hardware and yellowing tiles, bathrooms and kitchens are known for ageing prematurely.
Careful and regular maintenance can help slow this process. For tiled areas, that means sloughing off old grout - a type of cement used between tiles - on which mould can easily develop and stains can stick. Though it’s nothing more than tiny lines between tiles, dull grout can bring the look of the whole space down.
Cleaning it can be a chore that’s less of a headache with a grout remover in your toolbox. These gadgets feature pinpoint heads to get to the grout without damaging the surrounding tile. There are two kinds of remover: an oscillating electric device for fast buffing off the discoloured top layer, or a manual tool that is better suited to smaller jobs in awkward spots.
But before you start advancing on your tiles surfaces with a blade in hand, a word of warning to keen DIYers. Be careful not to remove too much grout; it’s needed to help keep the tiles mounted. The good news is that you can apply new grout over old, much less time-consuming than applying a brand-new version from scratch. Grout comes in all sorts of colours besides white - there are even glitter versions if you fancy adding sparkle to your space - meaning you can add a subtle flash of colour to your grout-uplifting project.
A grout remover can also help remove tiles from walls for those looking to completely remodel their spaces; you’ll simply need to scrape deeper until you hit the wall before using a hammer and chisel to knock off the tile.
Whether you’re looking to revitalise old grout, add a sparkling new layer or want something to help you start from scratch, we’ve found the best grout removal tools that are up to the job.
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Dremel Grout removal 2 piece Multi-tool kit
Simple DIY tasks like grout removal needn't mean hours of elbow grease and bending at awkward spots. Let tech do the heavy lifting for you. Dremel's grout remover is an electric device that can be used to take off old grout and mortar while avoiding the risk of chipping or cracking tiles. The head is angled at a fixed 30° point for accuracy and it can drill up to 13mm to suit various grout depths.
Comes with a two-year guarantee.
Buy now £23.00, B&Q
PentaUSA Grout Removal Tool
Get rid of yellowing caulk and grout easily with this well-designed tool that puts a brush on one end and a serrated blade on the other to get into tight spots. Scrape off mouldy and yellowing grout in the kitchen, bathroom and around sinks with the stainless steel blades, swapping to the extra set when the blades become blunt and are no longer of use. The deep clean promises to give grouting a makeover that may not seem like much at first but will give your tiles the uplift they need for very little expense.
Buy now £9.99, Amazon
Fychuo 3-in-1 Grout Removal Tool Set
Get deep down into the nitty gritty with this highly effective grout cleaning and removal tool. The diamond-coated blades can cut through all manner of grime for cleaning but are sharp enough to remove it completely if you're planning to apply new. The purchase comes with six replacement blades, a grout hook knife and four sealant tools made from long-lasting and flexible silicone.
Buy now £8.99, Amazon
Acehome Store 4 In 1 Tile Grout Remover
Shaped like a screwdriver, this grout scraper and raker promises to transform dull grouting, cleaning off the top layer or removing it so that a new layer can be applied. It's a robust thing with a head made from cemented carbide-tungsten to lift impurities with ease.
Buy now £8.99, Amazon
Timco Sealant Remover and Profiler Kit
Remove and reapply sealants, grouts, fillers and caulks with this multi-functional all-in-one kit that comes with a set of five profile tips to see to all kinds of DIY tasks. Made from durable plastic and in an eye-catching orange hue so that it's easy to spot in your toolbox, every DIYer should have this tool to hand for tiling tasks big and small.
Buy now £10.04, B&Q
WORKPRO Oscillating Multi Tool
A multi-tool device is an infinitely useful thing, especially for keen DIYers. As well as grout removal, the tool comes with 16 interchangeable accessories and bits to help do jobs like sanding, scraping, polishing and grinding.
Powered by a 300W motor, there are six speeds to choose from, meaning you can get your DIY challenge completed fairly painlessly. The handle is covered by a rubber finish to aid grip and make holding it for long periods more comfortable.
Buy now £45.99, Amazon
Vitrex Grout Out Removal Tool
Ideal for small and awkward spaces, this dinky Grout Out remover weighs practically nothing at 200g, making it easy to work with for long periods. The 2.5m cord should be long enough to reach most power points and a dial controls three pneumatic speeds to better protect your tiles. The device comes with two interchangeable tips so you can keep it in working order for longer.
Buy now £21.63, Amazon
Plasplugs Grout Out Electric Tile Grouting Remover Rake Removal Tool
Give old grout the heave-ho in the easiest possible way with Plasplugs' electric device. The variable speed gadget offers an easy ergonomic grip and comes with a set of removal tips - one flat, one pointed - to best suit the area you're working on.
Buy now £19.50, eBay
Mtutm Grout Removal Tool
Whether you're sick of the sight of greying grout or want to apply fresh silicone to aged windows, baths and sinks, this helpful grout remover tool can do the job quickly, neatly and efficiently. If grout ejection is at the top of your to-do list, try using it after first applying a removal gel.
Buy now £8.99, Amazon
