The fiery warmth of a gas or wood-burning fireplace is the epitome of hominess, yet black streaks and stains from soot can sully the surrounding bricks. This soot originates when organic and carbon filled materials do not burn completely. But there’s no need to worry — with appropriate cleaning techniques you can restore your fireplace bricks’ beauty quickly!
How Often to Clean Fireplace Bricks
Soot accumulation not only leaves behind smokey odors, but also unsightly black stains on a variety of surfaces, from bricks and tiles to carpets, drapes and upholstery. Unfortunately, if left untreated for too long it can cause permanent damage, especially to porous materials.
So the more you use your fireplace or stove, the more frequently you should schedule cleanings; luckily however by regularly tending to soot discoloration on brickwork, it makes for an easier job in the end!
Cleaning Fireplace Bricks With Detergent and Salt
This is the gentlest cleaning approach, and should be attempted initially before transitioning to more potent substances.
Mix the Cleaning Solutions
Start by filling a bucket with one gallon of warm water and two tablespoons of dishwashing liquid that can cut through grease. In the other container, add one cup of white vinegar to a gallon of cold water.
Spray the Stained Areas
Dilute the spray bottle with some water and give it a few generous sprays on stained patches. It is recommended to work in small portions at once so that your brickwork does not dry out too quickly.
Ready the Scrub Brush
Submerge the brush into your dishwashing liquid and generously sprinkle it with salt, making sure to coat all sides. The light abrasiveness of the salt will assist in removing soot from the brick walls – all that’s left is for you to use a bit of elbow grease while scrubbing those areas!
Rinse Away
Rejuvenate the cleaned area with a combination of water and vinegar. With one sponge, wipe away the cleaning solution and any soot that has been loosened up; then use a second sponge soaked in this mixture to make sure all suds are gone as well as get rid of smoky odors. Implementing this will leave your home looking fresh!
Repeat
If the stains on the brick persist, try repeating these steps with different cleaning solutions. For more difficult cases, you may need to resort to aggressive cleaning methods.
As a trusted fireplace company in Northern California, our qualified experts at The Energy House can help you take care of your fireplace. You can contact us here for more details.