A well-kept and cozy fireplace can provide the perfect centerpiece to a living room, but it can also be a bit of a pain to clean. No matter how well you maintain your brick fireplace, using it regularly when the weather cools down will inevitably lead to some soot accumulation on the hearth and facade.
Unfortunately, since bricks are made from such porous material, cleaning them isn’t just a simple matter of wiping the soot away. However, we happen to have a few tricks up our sleeves to make this task much easier. So keep reading to find out how you can take the guesswork out of keeping your brick fireplace pristine.
First of All: What is Soot?
The blackish stuff in and around your fireplace and the brick facade is soot, which is mainly composed of unburned carbon particles and sometimes ash. It has a soft texture like dust, and it tends to settle on the hearth and bricks closest to the firebox.
Soot is actually a very common cause of chimney fires, which is why it’s so incredibly important to remove any deposits as soon as you notice them starting to build up. But how often should you be checking in and cleaning your fireplace?
How Often Should You Clean Your Brick Fireplace?
When soot accumulates in and around your fireplace, it leaves the odor of smoke and unsightly black stains on bricks as well as carpets, drapes, and upholstery. It’s important to remove the soot residue from your fireplace frequently because it can cause permanent damage, especially to porous surfaces like brick. The more often you use your fireplace, the more often you’ll need to schedule some time to clean it. The sooner you clean away soot discoloration on fireplace bricks, the easier the job will be to clean the facade.
Homemade Fireplace Brick Cleaning Solutions
The first step in cleaning brick is to remove surface dirt or, from a fireplace, soot. Use a brush or vacuum to remove loose dirt before wet cleaning.
You can use natural cleaners that you mix up yourself. They’re more affordable and safer than commercially prepared cleaners. Here are some of our go-to DIY cleaning methods for your brick fireplace:
Dishwashing Detergent
Generally, you should start with the mildest possible cleanser and see if that will remove the bulk of the soot. In this case, go with ¼ cup of clear, grease-cutting dish soap diluted in four cups of water. This cleanser is gentle enough that it should be safe even on older bricks.
White Vinegar
Distilled white vinegar is another option, though it is acidic enough that it might be damaging to bricks older than about 20 years, so use it carefully. Mix equal parts vinegar and warm water to form this cleaning solution. You can also add dishwashing detergent, though only a small amount—about two tablespoons to every gallon.
Baking Soda
Mix water with baking soda to create a paste slightly runnier than toothpaste, and mix in a couple of drops of dish soap. I’ve touted the cleaning power of baking soda before, but it’s slightly abrasive, so do a spot test first. It can get stuck in the dimples and divots of rough bricks and turns white when it dries, so rinse well.
Cream Of Tartar
Make a thin paste out of 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar and a little bit of water. Apply to brick and let sit for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water and wipe off with a soft cloth. This method is best for cleaning small areas, like the brick trim around a fireplace.
Chemical Fireplace Brick Cleaners
The Brick Industry Association (BIA) warns against using harsh chemicals or abrasive metal brushes on bricks of any kind. The wrong chemical cleaning solutions can discolor bricks, especially those in lighter shades. Highly acidic cleaners can etch the brick with acid burns.
The good news is that you probably have everything you need to clean your fireplace bricks sitting in your cupboard right now. Here are 3 chemical cleaning methods for your brick fireplace:
Borax
Mix two tablespoons of borax with four cups of water and one tablespoon of dish soap
Ammonia
Mix ½ cup of ammonia with four cups of water and ¼ cup dish soap
Trisodium Phosphate (TSP)
Mix ⅛ cup trisodium phosphate (TSP) with one gallon of hot water. Remember, if you’re using TSP, mix your cleaning solution in a bucket and use a sponge or paintbrush to apply it to the bricks.
Our Favorite Commercial Fireplace Cleaners
If you use any of the methods above and still have soot stains, you might want to consider moving on to stronger, pre-formulated products. Keep in mind that these might damage older or more fragile bricks, and you will want to wear gloves and eye protection as well as ensure good ventilation. Here are some options for removing stubborn stains on brick:
- Quick N Brite Fireplace Cleaner
- RUTLAND Brick & Stone Cleaner
- Chimney Rx Paint N Peel Fireplace Cleaner
FAQs
What is the best method to clean fireplace brick?
Baking soda, dish soap, and vinegar for the win! Slather the baking soda, water, and dish soap paste on the original row of bricks and the row above it and let it sit for a while. Then, spritz it with a mixture of 1:1 water and vinegar, and let it sit a while longer.
Can you steam clean brick fireplace?
Steam cleaning of brick surfaces and patios gives better and faster results. Besides, you are spared the cost of using expensive and harmful detergents and chemicals. Hot water and steam pressure washers can clean your brick surfaces comprehensively and more effectively than ordinary pressure washers.
Can you use muriatic acid to clean fireplace brick?
While some people use muriatic acid solutions to clean fireplace mortar and bricks, it’s advisable this dangerous and corrosive substance should only be used for fireplace–and any household–cleaning as a last resort.
How to clean brick fireplace exterior?
Mix equal parts vinegar and water and pour into a spray bottle. Spray on the bricks and let it sit for a few minutes. Use a sponge mop to clean the bricks. If the bricks are very dirty, use a nylon-bristled scrub brush and put some elbow grease into the scrubbing.
You can use all of these methods on the interior and exterior of a fireplace, which gets sooty after a winter of fires. Knowing how to clean a brick fireplace keeps it working safely and looking great.
For more tips, tricks, and cleaning guides check out our blog! Or if you’re in need of some house cleaning in Boston, we invite you to browse our services and contact us today to schedule your appointment. We’re here to help keep your home happy and healthy all year long.
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