A fireplace is a comforting addition to a home, but the burning process there can leave soot on the surrounding walls. Soot will leave stubborn stains when attached to other materials. So, it is very important to clean it at least once a year. To remove soot from brick walls, use baking soda or white vinegar if you want a natural solution, or use a chemical-based cleaning product, such as TSP, to get the walls clean again.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Getting the Fireplace Ready to Clean
Step 1. Allow the fireplace to cool for at least 12 hours before cleaning it
Walls that are still hot should not be cleaned. After the fire is extinguished, wait at least one night or 12 hours before starting to clean the walls. This will protect your hands and ensure that no chemicals are exposed to heat when you use them.
If you use a fireplace to warm yourself, clean the area in the summer when the fireplace is rarely used
Step 2. Remove the falling ash and soot
Use a small broom and dustpan to clean the grate before starting to scrub it. Remove any ashes or any remaining firewood that is still there. In this way, the cleaning process will be easier.
You can save unburned wood for later use
Step 3. Spread an old cloth or towel underneath to protect the floor
While cleaning, water or chemicals may drip around the fireplace. Spread a protective layer of flooring around the area around the fireplace to ensure you don't damage the carpet or hardwood floors.
Warning:
Do not use newspaper because the ink may smudge onto the floor when exposed to water.
Step 4. Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands
When scrubbing the fireplace, the chemicals can stick to your hands. Wear rubber gloves to protect the skin and prevent irritation. If you use a TSP cleaner, wear protective goggles too.
Method 2 of 4: Using Baking Soda
Step 1. Make a paste of a mixture of water and baking soda in a 1:1 ratio
Mix 55 grams of baking soda with 60 ml of warm water. Mix all the ingredients until it forms a thick paste. If the mixture is too runny, add more baking soda.
Step 2. Rub the mixture onto the wall with your hands
Take a large cup of baking soda paste and apply it to the fireplace. Work from above to make a thin layer over the entire surface of the fireplace walls. Apply more paste on the inside of the grate as the area contains a thicker soot. Pay attention to the indentations and gaps between the walls. Focus on the areas in the fireplace that are really dirty.
Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands or use a clean cloth to apply the paste
Step 3. Let the pasta sit for 10 minutes
Baking soda is used to remove grease and stains from the walls. Allow the paste to soak for 10 minutes to remove the soot. Do not allow the paste to dry completely as this may damage the walls.
If the paste turns out to be too dry, spray some water to make it run longer
Step 4. Scrub the paste thoroughly with an abrasive scrubbing brush
Use a hard-bristled brush to scrub the paste. Dip the brush in the water occasionally to rinse off any baking soda residue. The slightly abrasive baking soda will work with the brush to remove stubborn soot.
Don't scrub too hard as this can damage the walls
Step 5. Wipe the brick wall with warm water and take the old cloth that covers the floor
Use a soft sponge moistened with warm water to rinse off any remaining baking soda on the walls. Allow the fireplace to dry completely before using it again. Take the cloth or towel you laid out to cover the floor.
Method 3 of 4: Cleaning Walls with Vinegar
Step 1. Mix white vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio in a spray bottle
Mix 250 ml of white vinegar with 250 ml of warm water in a spray bottle. Shake the bottle to make sure it is thoroughly mixed. Use a spray bottle that is clean and has never been used to contain strong chemicals.
You can buy empty spray bottles at most grocery and hardware stores
Warning:
If your brick wall is over 20 years old, vinegar may be too harsh to work with. Instead, use a non-acidic cleaner like baking soda.
Step 2. Spray the inside and outside of the fireplace with a vinegar solution
Spray the vinegar solution all over the brick wall, from top to bottom. Pay attention to areas that are filled with thick soot, especially at the mouth of the fireplace. Make sure you put a cloth to catch any falling stains.
If you have any residual vinegar solution, you can use it as a natural cleanser for your bathroom and kitchen countertops
Step 3. Let the solution sit for 10 minutes
Vinegar is slightly acidic, so it can wash away soot and stains stuck to the walls. Leave the vinegar and water mixture on the wall, but don't let it dry. Don't let it sit for more than 10 minutes or the acid in the vinegar can damage the brick walls of the fireplace.
Step 4. Scrub the brick wall from top to bottom with a brush
Dip the brush in warm water and scrub the brick walls of the fireplace. Watch for gaps between walls and areas of thick soot. Scrub the walls until the vinegar smell goes away.
You can sprinkle baking soda on the walls to make the vinegar dissipate faster. However, this method will cause the foam to react on the walls and make a mess
Step 5. Clean the brick wall with warm water, then lift the cloth mat off the floor
Use a soft sponge to apply warm water all over the wall. Take a cloth or towel that runs into the floor around the fireplace. Let the fireplace dry completely before you burn anything in it.
Method 4 of 4: Cleaning Soot with TSP
Step 1. Wear gloves to protect yourself
TSP, or trisodium phosphate, can injure you if it comes in direct contact with the skin. Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands. As much as possible, do not touch the TSP directly with your hands.
You can buy rubber gloves at almost any grocery store
Warning:
TSP can also injure the eyes. Wear protective eyewear if you are worried about getting splashed.
Step 2. Mix trisodium phosphate and warm water in a bucket
Mix 110 grams of TSP and 4,000 ml of warm water. Use unused plastic buckets to store food. Mix the two ingredients together until they form a thin, runny paste.
You can buy TSP at almost any hardware store
Step 3. Use a hard-bristled brush to rub the mixture into the brick wall
Scrub the paste against the inner and outer walls of the fireplace with a brush. Work from top to bottom and apply more paste on thick sooty areas. Scrub the area to remove soot. Be careful not to damage the walls when brushing them, especially if your fireplace is old.
Step 4. Rinse the brick wall with a sponge dampened in warm water
Use a soft sponge to rub warm water over the entire surface of the brick wall. Gently wipe off the TSP residue on the wall. Rinse the brush and bucket after use.
- If there is still soot remaining on the walls, apply the TSP paste again and scrub back.
- When finished, lift the cloth used to cover the floor.
Tips
Burn clean, dry wood to keep the fireplace clean for a long time
Warning
- Never use abrasive chemicals when removing soot from brick walls. Most of these substances will leave a flammable residue that poses a risk of harm to yourself when you start a fireplace.
- Clean the fireplace when you're sure all the ashes have cooled down. Heat can be trapped in the ashes for several days, creating a risk of burns.
