How to clean dirty brick fireplace?

Bricks are the perfect material for the fireplace area as they are highly resistant, fireproof and look incredibly stylish in each interior. However, like any place, they can get quite dirty, and in a blink of an eye, they get covered in soot and ash. So the question remains - how to clean a dirty brick fireplace quickly and efficiently? Let’s find out!

Get rid of loose soot and dirt

Before we proceed with cleaning fireplace brick, we should start by getting rid of all debris, dust, ash and soot. For this task, it’s best to reach for a vacuum or a brush and go over all the areas we will be focused on later. It will make bricks way easier to clean, and we will avoid spreading the dirt and soot all over the place when we add liquids.

Wet the bricks around the fireplace

How to clean fireplace brick with light stains?

Sometimes the area next to the fireplace doesn’t look too bad and doesn’t require much work. So how to clean the brick wall around the fireplace that has only light staining? You can try scrubbing it with a mix of ¼ cup of dishwashing detergent and 4 cups of water. When you’re done, rinse the area with clean water and dry with some cloths. It should help you get rid of less stubborn stains.

How to clean fire brick with household products?

If the stains are resistant to this treatment, you can use some great cleaning agents from your pantry. So how to clean an indoor brick fireplace with vinegar or baking soda? Combine equal parts of warm water and vinegar and put the mixture in a spray bottle. Spray the bricks, clean them with a brush and rinse everything with water when you’re done. Be sure to use vinegar only on bricks that aren’t older than 20 years as it may damage them. Another popular household item you can use is baking soda. Mix ½ cup of it with 2 or 3 tablespoons of dish soap and create a paste. You should scrub the fireplace with this product in circular motions and later rinse the paste with water.

Cleaning fireplace brick with stronger detergents

More stubborn soot stains will require more powerful cleaning agents than household items. Among the most popular detergents, you will find borax, ammonia and trisodium phosphate (TSP). But how to clean an old red brick fireplace with those products? Mix them with water, and make sure you’re wearing both gloves and eye protection.