I like the white grout. I think the colored grout IMO looks cheap and dirty all the time. Cleaning is usually only an issue at the range. Make sure you SEAL THE GROUT before you do any cooking. If's not like cleaning a kitchen floor. It's only the backsplash.

The picture above is uniformly one color, so would not look dirty to me. Some of the better grouts claim to be stain resistant, even to not require sealing. Nevertheless, you can seal. Buy a really good grout.

We have white grout in our kitchen (TEC Accucolor?), and in our bathrooms; MB and Hall bath both have TEC XT. We sealed all of it, and it all still looks white.

Kitchen backsplash was sealed with Aquamix Gold (?)--a water-based sealer. Artistic Tile recommended it when we purchased our tile.

The bathrooms were sealed with STT's SB sealer (now it would be their SB Deluxe?), a solvent-based sealer. It's VERY easy to apply, and has minimal, minimal odor. I don't know if they ever updated the application instructions on the label, but Stephen, the owner, is super-helpful, and will walk/talk you through what you need to do. Basically, depending on the porosity of your tile (if sealing that, too), you would apply one or more coats, and let it sit and soak in for up to 8 hours give or take. Buff off any remaining damp patches and you either apply another coat, or are done.

That's great to know, thanks cat_mom. I recently re-sealed with Miracle 511 Impregnator. It has a fairly noticeable odor. I've had good luck with it on gray grout, but it's yet to be seen how it does on white. My tile with the white grout is porcelain, so no sealing of it is needed at least. Thanks for the excellent information. Hopefully that will help the OP too.

cat_mom - how long has it been since you've sealed?

I have white grout on my subway bs. We've been in our new home almost 2 years and haven't had any problems with it at all. Still looks exactly like it did when we moved it. I have no idea what they sealed it with. It doesn't seem like much gets back there...I usually wipe it down when I wipe the counters down after cooking. No biggie at all.

Kitchen, 6 years. Might have touched up over the stove once after the first year.

Bathrooms I haven't revealed at all. They are ~3 yrs old.

Guest bathroom (TEC Accucolor) was sealed with one of the Miracle sealers, Plus? Didn't like it, and hated it on the travertine floor file. Streaky and a PITA to buff off excess. Might have revealed the shower grout when I resealed the floor tile after some flooding, but I really don't remember.

pricklypearcactus, why is no sealer needed on white porcelain tile with white grout? Is it different from white ceramic tiles? Hope I haven't misinterpreted your comment.

Watching this thread as I like white tile with white grout. I also saw one on Houzz done with white subways with Silverado grout which added a subtle depth in a lovely kitchen.

Here is a link that might be useful: [Silverado grout:[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/what-is-the-backsplash-is-it-ripple-and-what-brand-please-dsvw-vd~232215)

Glazed tile does not get sealed as it is not porous. If it's a craquelle, then you can apply a sealer (important if it is exposed to water; you don't want the glaze popping off from water absorption or the cracks collecting mildew) -- but it will leave a film all over unless you wipe it off before it dries.

The grout can be sealed regardless of the tile (although some claim to not need sealing, possibly even state not to, not sure).

This post was edited by snookums2 on Mon, Aug 12, 13 at 22:02

thanks snookums2. love your name btw-makes me smile.

Yes exactly, porcelain and ceramic are not porous, so only the grout needs sealing. The porcelain I used is white, but I couldn't even get sharpie to stay on it when I was cutting with a wet saw. Seriously tough stuff.

Thank you pricklypearcactus. I'll look up the distinction between the two-it appears many use ceramic tiles.

themi-I'm probably going to do white tiles with white grout also so have been reading comments about cleaning the grout. Nothing pops out, except wiping a spill down as soon as possible, especially if tomato or oil etc.

You're welcome.

Porcelain is a stronger tile, fired at higher temps. Good for floors. There are "through body" porcelain type tiles where if a chip should happen, the color will not be different.

Ceramic tiles are a softer clay and when they chip, the clay color beneath the glaze is a different color.

For a backsplash, chipping isn't really an issue but for floors, porcelain is more durable.

This post was edited by snookums2 on Mon, Aug 12, 13 at 23:33