If you have a fireplace in your home, you know how good it is to warm up in front of a fire in the cold. However, you also know that the brick walls around the fireplace are very easy to get dirty from smoke and soot. Because it is dirty, the bricks in the fireplace must be cleaned at least once a year. Fortunately, the cleaning process is relatively easy. You can use regular cleaning products or use ingredients you have at home!
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using Cleaning Products
Step 1. Use a soft brush attached to the end of the vacuum cleaner to clean the bricks
Place a soft brush on the end of the vacuum cleaner, then point it at the brick in the fireplace. Vacuum up as much dust, debris, and soot as possible to make the brick easier to clean later.
Step 2. Brush the fireplace with dish soap to remove light stains
Mix 120 ml of dish soap with 950 ml of water in a spray bottle, then shake. After that, spray the liquid on the brick and scrub it with a stain remover brush. If so, rinse the bricks with warm water until clean and dry with a dry cloth that is still clean.
- Brushing the bricks with dish soap is the easiest and fastest way to remove soot. So, use this method as the first method you try if the bricks are not too dirty.
- Dish soap is relatively safe. So, it is also a good way to clean old bricks.
Step 3. Use borax to clean and disinfect the bricks in the fireplace
Mix 34 grams of borax with 950 ml of hot water and 15 ml of dish soap in a spray bottle. Beat until well blended, then spray onto the bricks. Scrub the sprayed brick circularly with the brush, then use a clean damp cloth to wipe off the dirt.
You can also mix the ingredients in a bucket and apply them to the bricks with a paint brush or sponge if you don't have a spray bottle
Step 4. Clean the new, sturdy bricks with ammonia and dish soap
Mix 120 ml of ammonia, 60 ml of dish soap and 950 ml of hot water in a spray bottle. Shake the bottle to mix all the ingredients, then spray this liquid on the dirty brick and brush to clean. Once it looks clean, wipe the bricks with a damp cloth to remove any remaining cleaning fluid.
- Ammonia can damage bricks. So, don't use this method on an old brick wall.
- Wear rubber gloves and protective eyewear when working with ammonia.
Step 5. Use trisodium phosphate (TSP) to treat stubborn stains and grease
Mix 30 ml of TSP with 3 liters of hot water in a tall bucket. After that, dip the brush in the mixture and use it to brush the bricks clean. Finally, rinse the bricks with warm water.
- TSP should only be used if the dish soap and water mixture does not work.
- TSP is a very strong cleaning fluid. So, make sure you wear rubber gloves and protective goggles. Do not let the liquid get on the skin, clothes, or carpets in the house.
- TSP can be purchased at most home supply stores and supermarkets.
Method 2 of 2: Cleaning the Fireplace with Home Appliances
Step 1. Use baking soda and soap to clean the stain
Mix about 30-40 ml of dish soap with 120 ml of baking soda to make a cleaning paste. After that, dip the brush in the mixture and rub it into the brick in a circular motion. Let the paste sit on the bricks for 5 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
Rub the brush from the bottom up as you brush the bricks so they don't leave streaks
Step 2. Spray vinegar and water on the old brick
Mix equal ratios of vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle, then spray the liquid onto the brick wall. Re-spray after a few minutes, then scrub in circular motions with a stain remover brush. Rinse the bricks with warm water after this process is complete.
- The acid from the vinegar makes this mixture quite coarse. It is best not to use this method to clean brick walls that are more than 20 years old.
- To avoid scratching, clean the grate from the bottom up when brushing the bricks.
- You may need to apply a mixture of baking soda and water to the brick once you're done to remove the acid from the vinegar you sprayed. However, this is optional.
Step 3. Make a paste of the cream of tartar mixture to clean the bricks
To make the paste, mix 20 grams of cream of tartar with a little water. After that, use an old toothbrush to apply a thin layer of paste to the soot stuck to the brick and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Finally, rinse the pasta with warm water.
If you don't have a lot of cream of tartar, this method should be used to clean certain areas that are very dirty on the brick wall
Step 4. Use a bathroom or oven cleaner if that's the only thing you have
People usually manage to clean fireplace bricks with bathroom or oven cleaning spray. Spray this product onto a brick wall and let it sit for 20-30 minutes. After that, scrub the brick wall with a brush and use a sponge dipped in water to wipe off any residue left behind.
- Using a bathroom cleaner or oven cleaner is not a 100% effective method for cleaning brick walls. So, use this option if you have no other choice.
- You can buy bathroom and oven cleaning sprays at supermarkets that sell household cleaning supplies.
Warning
- Make sure you wear rubber gloves and protective goggles when cleaning your fireplace with chemicals.
- Before using any chemical solution to clean a brick wall in a fireplace, first test the liquid on a small, inconspicuous area of the fireplace. Some chemicals can bleach or stain walls, so it's safer to check their effect on your fireplace before using it.
- Diluted muriatic acid is believed to be able to clean fireplace brick walls without the need for brushing. However, there are many safety precautions you should take before using acidic liquids. So, it's best to entrust this cleaning method to professionals.
