DIY Grout Hack: How I Used a Sandwich Bag Instead of a Float (and Made It Feel Like Decorating a Gingerbread House)

Grouting tile is supposed to be one of those “serious DIY” jobs — usually done with a tool called a grout float. However, when it came time to finish the coffee bar backsplash for our DIY Koffee Bar makeover, I decided to skip tradition and try something totally different.

Instead of a float, I grabbed a plastic sandwich baggie, filled it with grout (which, by the way, has the exact consistency of peanut butter frosting), and cut a tiny hole in one corner to pipe it between the tiles. Suddenly, my DIY backsplash project turned into a baking moment — it felt less like construction and more like decorating a gingerbread house.

And yes — I wore latex gloves while I worked. Protecting the manicure is an absolute must because even when we’re getting messy, we take care of ourselves. ✨💅

🍪 Why I Loved This Hack

• It gave me more control — no messy smears all over the tile.

• It tapped into my baking muscle memory (cookie-icing skills > building skills 💅⚒️).

• It made the project feel like play instead of “hard labor.”

• And my hands? Still looking cute — thanks to those gloves.

Would a professional tiler recommend this method? Probably not. But here’s the thing — sometimes the “right tool” isn’t the one you need. Sometimes you just use what you have, lean into your own skills, and it turns out even better.

🧽 The Cleanup Hack Nobody Told Me About

Every grout tutorial I read said to use a sponge to wipe away extra grout and prevent grout haze. But sponges always feel bulky and clunky to me — like trying to do detail work with a pillow.

So in true “use what you’ve got” fashion, I grabbed one of my Swedish dish towels (those thin, reusable ones we keep in the kitchen). It turned out to be the perfect tool: pliable enough to move into small spaces, sturdy enough to hold up to scrubbing, and way less wasteful than paper towels. Plus, it didn’t leave that cloudy haze behind the way some sponges can.

I cut one Swedish dish towel into 4 squares, and it worked perfectly for the entire grout cleanup on the coffee bar backsplash.

Honestly, between the sandwich bag piping, the dish towel cleanup, and the gloves keeping my manicure intact, this whole coffee bar backsplash project felt more like a baking experiment than a remodel — and I’m not mad about it.

☕️ The Bigger Picture

This little grout hack is more than just a quirky DIY moment. It’s part of the bigger story we’ve been quietly working on behind the scenes: building out our dream Koffee Bar.

This cozy corner isn’t just for us — it’s going to be the stage for new recipes, shows, and all the Mushroom Koffee™ magic we’ve been dreaming up. Piece by piece, it’s coming together. Tile complete ✅ Shelves coming soon 👀

👉 In the meantime, explore our Mushroom Koffee™ blends to start creating your own daily ritual.

💪 Why This Matters

DIY can feel intimidating, especially if you don’t have all the “right” tools. But here’s the reminder: you probably already have the creativity and skills you need. If you can pipe royal icing on cookies, you can pipe grout into tile. If you can keep a Swedish dish towel handy, you can clean up grout haze. And if you can slip on a pair of gloves, you can protect your hands while doing it.

It’s not about doing it the “man’s way” or the “proper way.” It’s about making it your way — and proving to yourself that you can.

DIY can be fun, quirky, and empowering — just like your wellness routine.

The same goes for your morning lattes: they don’t need to be complicated. Our blends are crafted to make wellness easy. Try our flagship Koffee with a K™ to see what we mean.

💭 Your Turn

Would you have gone with the traditional grout float ⚒️… or piped it in like cookies 🍪? Tell us below 👇

✨ Closing Thought

Sometimes creativity > tools. You don’t need to be “skilled” in the traditional way to bring your vision to life. Whether it’s grout or gingerbread icing, the magic is in doing it your way.

And if you’re ready for more everyday magic, check out our latest recipes + rituals on the blog.