Best tile grout according to redditors

Mix this with black grout and you are set.

https://www.amazon.com/v1rtus-Glitter-Additive-Bathroom-Kitchen/dp/B01MEFMT2N?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_6

I used to do regrout and recaulk work every day. The best way is to use 4" razor blade/scraper to cut/scrape it out where you can by first cutting along the length of it and the scraping against the surface with the corner of the blade, changing the blades often helps a lot. Then go back with a grout getter to scrape whatever is left off the surface. If you keep the grout getter flat against one surface with firm pressure and the corner of the head pressed into the corner between the two surfaces you should be able to scrape pretty aggressively without scratching anything, though you do have to be extra careful on plastic, fiberglass, or any kind of resurfaced ceramic/porcelain (such as an epoxy resurfaced bathtub).

At the end of the day, there really is no magic fix. A heat gun or solvents can help, but sometimes, especially with really old caulk, it just takes a lot of patience and elbow grease.

AquaMix makes grout colorant in many different shades:

https://www.amazon.com/Aqua-Mix-Grout-Colorant-Charcoal/dp/B000GFJTSI

Everything you suggested above sounds good. In order to paint the cabinets, you will have to clean and sand them before painting them. I would add a roman shade in a pop color of your choice to window or make it yourself with cloth and iron on tape. Not too sure of the cost, but I don't expect it over $20.

Making roman shades:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ksp4gsm1aY

I didn't get a chance to preview this video (my computer is running sllooooww), but it might be a good one for high gloss cabinets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M27R7MqV2yI

As for the tiles, you can use bleach water to scrub it out and that might work, but there is also a grout cleaner that's more like white out and it works really well.

This is an example of the grout cleaner:
http://www.amazon.com/Tilex-Tile-Grout-Pen-Ounces/dp/B004I9EKAA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1404533254&sr=8-2&keywords=grout+cleaner

As for the countertop, I would paint the trim the color matching the countertop so it blends in. I don't think there is much you can do other than clean them, but if you would like to try contact tape that might work, but it could damage the counter top and not sure it would be worth it. By the time you paint the walls and cabinets and add decor, you will hardly notice the tops.

I hope this helps. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Probably a spray on sealer for walls - one where it doesn't matter if it gets on the tiles. Those types are hard to mess up (unlike the super industrial one I used the other day on my floor tiles - you couldn't get any on the tiles).

Possibly something like this? https://www.amazon.com/Laticrete-Stonetech-Professional-Heavy-Sealer/dp/B008GX5K76/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1550522207&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=grout+sealant+spray&dpPl=1&dpID=41-2bmEdVBL&ref=plSrch

I havent tried that one in particular but I think it sprays on easily. Always test in a small area first!

You can just get a grout pen. Sounds like a gimmick, but it really worked well for me and it much less of a hassle that a full re-grout.

grout pen. what a world.

edit: reviews look pretty bad for the grout pen.

https://www.amazon.com/Grout-Pen-White-Ideal-Restore/product-reviews/B006LMFJS4/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_hist_1?ie=UTF8&filterByStar=one_star&reviewerType=all_reviews#reviews-filter-bar

Add some of this product to a small amount of cement, and get the color you like. Then putty knife it in and wait for it to set up or become firm, and then wipe down the brick to clean with a damp firm sponge or a towel to remove excess material and residue.

https://www.amazon.com/Colorant-3-Ounce-Brick-Cement-Pigment/dp/B008D1OMUC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1474667153&sr=8-2&keywords=Red+colorant+cement

Thanks for the reply!

Ah, ok. So it is normal then. That is good to know. I actually have already sprayed sealer on it. I also got sealer mix that I could mix directly into the grout that was used during installation. Should it still be doing this? Is the sealer just bad?

Edit: the sealer that I sprayed on was this stuff:

https://www.amazon.com/CUSTOM-PRODUCTS-TLPS24Z-Grout-Sealer/dp/B00C4TPTLK

I just did a major cleaning of the tiles in my apartment and they look awesome now! Here's what I did:

First I attacked the grout. I used this brush with this grout cleaner. This stuff is really good. The only places it wasn't perfect were in the kitchen where there's this black sticky stuff I got up with some plain rubbing alcohol and that same brush and behind the toilet where I think the grout was permanently urine stained. Gross, I know, but I really couldn't get it up. My old roommate was gross. I then sealed the grout with this product and a small artist's brush to prevent the grout from ever getting that gross again.

I then got down on my hands and knees and scrubbed each tile with a stiff brush and this tile cleaner (you can probably find it much cheaper at your local hardware store). I then wiped each tile with a clean microfiber cloth to soak up all the water and grime. I had to switch cloths every 10 feet or so with 18" square tiles. I then sealed the tiles with this sealer.

I will maintain the floors with regular vacuuming and a steam mop.

Would this work? https://www.amazon.com/Tuff-Duck-Granite-Marble-Sealer/dp/B019VMLU7O/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&%2AVersion%2A=1&%2Aentries%2A=0#Ask

A grout saw for removing grout between tiles.

https://www.amazon.com/DUBLIN-Building-Products-Heavy-Grout/dp/B07L2V52JV