How to clean brick around your fireplace
After years of use, the brick surrounding your fireplace can get sooty, grimy and dirty. Many people simply accept this as a fact of life, believing that the damage is permanent and irreversible. But there are a few things you can do to help restore your fireplace to its original brilliance.
First, a word of caution: Some of these solutions work differently depending on the kind of stain, and the type of brick. So always make sure to practice on a sample section that’s out of the way. This way, if the technique creates an undesired result, you’ll know ahead of time without having to damage your expensive fireplace.
One popular solution is to mix a 25/75 solution of ammonia and water. Just be sure to wear protective rubber gloves when you do this, and avoid mixing in any other chemicals. (Ammonia can be dangerous when it reacts with other chemicals)
Take the solution and rub off the dirt using a sponge or a wire brush.
Sometimes, this might not be enough to get the job done. In this instance, I’d recommend using muratic acid, which can be obtained at most hardware store. Most of all, MAKE SURE TO NEUTRALIZE THE ACID AFTERWARD! This can be done easily by mixing water and baking soda, and thoroughly scrubbing off the residue.
But I would caution against this one since I’ve heard that it can cause undesired reactions, depending on the type of brick you’re trying to clean. This is why it’s important to test beforehand.
As an added layer of protection, I would strongly suggest using a sealer on the stone or brick in order to prevent further build-up. This will help maintain the life and beauty of your fireplace.
Another benefit of sealing the masonry work is that it will simplify the clean-up process. Next time, instead of using all of these harsh chemicals, you can simply wipe off the dirt with warm water and soap.
As a last resort, I would suggest using commercial brick cleaners. I say this is a last resort, only because we can’t ever be sure what goes into these, and can’t predict how it will react with your brick or stone.
I hope this cleaning article was helpful for you. If you have any other cleaning-related questions, we would love to hear from you.