If your fireplace looks dull and dingy, it’s time to clean it. Cleaning your brick isn’t difficult, but it requires the right tools and a little know-how. The first step is to remove the grate and any leftover ashes from your fireplace. This will help you remove as much soot and dust as possible before wet cleaning. Here are some ways to get rid of dirt and make your brick fireplace as good as new!
TSP (trisodium phosphate)
TSP (trisodium phosphate) is an effective, multipurpose cleaner that can remove stubborn stains from most surfaces. However, it’s also a dangerous chemical that should be used with care and precautions.
Before using TSP, read the product’s instructions and don the proper PPE. It’s highly toxic and can burn your skin and eyes if applied in large amounts.
It should not be used on glass surfaces or ceramic tiles because it can etch the glass and corrode the grout between them. It is also unsuitable for cleaning metal surfaces like aluminum because it can darken the metal and leave a pitted appearance.
Use this cleaner mixed with water and a stiff-bristled scrub brush to remove sooty stains on your brick fireplace. Be careful not to splash this solution anywhere but the brick you’re cleaning, as it’s a strong cleaner. You can also mix it with bleach, ammonia, and pumice to scour away rust, mold, and mildew, but for that, you’ll want to wear rubber gloves, safety goggles, and a face mask when applying this product.
Vinegar
You can use vinegar to clean sooty fireplace bricks. However, it would be best if you were careful not to overdo it or let it get too harsh on the bricks, as it could cause abrasion and damage. Vinegar is one of the most common household cleaners and can be found in nearly any grocery store. Acetic acid is a good disinfectant and is strong enough to kill certain bacteria.
Another option for removing hard stains on bricks is to apply a mixture of water and dish soap or white vinegar to the sooty bricks. The acid in these cleaners can eat away at the black residue, making it easier to remove.
Diluted white vinegar is also a safe alternative to bleach, which can leave stains and streaks on surfaces. It can also remove soap scum and mineral deposits in sinks, tubs, showers, and other household fixtures.
It can also effectively remove soot from hearthstone fireplaces and other brick surfaces, though it may not be as thorough as other methods. You can mix a solution of white vinegar and water and pour it directly onto the surface or use a spray bottle to reach crevices and corners.
Dish Soap
Dish soap is one of the most versatile household cleaners on the market. It can clean various surfaces, including countertops, baseboards, windowsills, and kitchen appliances. The best thing about dish soap is that it doesn’t contain phosphates or triclosan, which can harm the environment. It can also help remove grease stains, particularly common on countertops and other hard, smooth surfaces.
A diluted dish soap and water solution work well on most brick fireplaces. Use a scrub brush to scrub the bricks in a circular motion, working from top to bottom. Rinse with water and dry thoroughly.
Scrubbing Bubbles
Rubbing bubbles may be an excellent option if you have a lot of soot build-up on your fireplace bricks. They can cut through hard-to-remove stains and residue in a short amount of time. You can use a scrubbing brush to apply this cleaner to your brick fireplace. This is an easy way to get into the nooks and crannies of your fireplace and can also help you clean between each brick.
Scrubbing bubbles are a great product for cleaning all surfaces, including brick. They have a special formulation that makes it possible to cut through tough stains and residue in a short amount of time. This is especially useful for removing ash and smoke stains. It’s also a great product for spot-cleaning if you have a few areas that are particularly stained or discolored.
Once you’ve applied the cleaning solution to your fireplace brick, let it sit for at least three minutes. This is necessary because bricks are highly absorbent, so they’ll soak up the cleaner you put on them. After three minutes, use a toothbrush to scrub the cleaner into the bricks. This can be a great way to get into the brick’s crevices and mortar joints, but it’s also important to wipe down the surface with a wet rag before you move on to the next step in the process.
Once the fireplace brick has been thoroughly scrubbed, rinse it off. This is important because you don’t want your cleaner to remain on your fireplace bricks for too long, as it can cause serious damage to them. This is an important part of the process and should be repeated until the bricks look clean and shiny.
Conclusion
Regular cleaning is important for maintaining the appearance and longevity of a brick fireplace. A mixture of water and mild detergent is usually sufficient for cleaning brick surfaces. Stains and tough grime may require more aggressive cleaning solutions, such as vinegar or baking soda. Still, it is important to test the solution on a small, inconspicuous area before applying it to the entire fireplace.
