Learn the Best Tips on How to Clean Brick Fireplace
Clean a brick fireplace can be something you try to avoid. Although a fireplace can be the perfect centerpiece for decorating and warming you in the garden, it can also be a hassle to clean. No matter how well a brick fireplace is cared for, its use will inevitably lead to soot buildup on the facade. Since bricks are porous, cleaning them is not a simple matter of removing soot.
In other words, their surface is covered with small holes, and it can be challenging to achieve complete cleaning. However, in this blog, you will learn some tricks to make brick cleaning much more manageable.
Get the required materials
In order to perform the best cleaning work, you must be prepared with the best materials. Of course, the materials used will mainly depend on the type of cleaning method you will use. This is the list of the most commonly used materials:
- Vacuum
- Spray Bottle
- Sponges and scourers
- Scrub Brush
- Bucket and Mop
- Mini-broom Dustpan
- Plastic Caddy
Moreover, wearing protective gloves and safety goggles is also recommended to minimize the possibility of getting damaged. Even though not all products contain hazardous chemicals, it is always recommended to get protected.
- Remove all debris
Be sure to start with a completely cool chimney free of any debris. When you are ready to clean, remove the grate and ash debris. Next, you must use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to manually remove as much soot and dust as you can.
- Wet the bricks
Suppose there’s one secret to cleaning fireplace bricks. In that case, it’s this: saturate the bricks with running water before applying a cleaner and start scrubbing. Since you are working with materials that can damage your floor or grass, placing a waterproof cloth is recommended, but don’t skip this step.
Once wet, the brick will absorb the water so that when you apply the soap or other cleaning solution, it will stay on the surface instead of sinking in. You can wet the bricks with a masonry sponge, which should be available at most hardware stores, or with a spray bottle.
- Mixing the cleaning solution
In this step, you have several choices of cleaning solutions. The one you choose will depend on the bricks’ age and the stain’s extent.
How to clean brick fireplace with dishwasher detergent?
Generally, you should start with the mildest cleaner possible and see if that removes most of the soot. It would be best if you used ¼ cup of a clear, grease-resistant dishwasher detergent diluted in four cups of water. This cleaner is mild enough to be safe even on old brick.
How to clean brick fireplace with baking soda?
You should first mix baking soda with dishwashing liquid to make a paste to clean your brick. Half a cup of baking soda and some tablespoons of dishwashing liquid should be enough to make a good mixture. Once you have it ready, you can apply a thin layer to each part of the brick. After about 10 minutes, remove it with your scrubbing brush and then rinse it off with warm water.
How to clean it with vinegar?
Distilled white vinegar is another option, although it is acidic enough to damage bricks more than 20 years old, so use it with care. Mix equal parts vinegar and warm water to form this cleaning solution. You can also add dishwasher detergent, though only a tiny amount-about two tablespoons per gallon.
- Wash
When scrubbing a little area, feel free to wash it before continuing. Utilize a wipe plunged in clean water to wash each spot a few times. Assuming that the washing can become messy or sudsy, change the water.
- Spot-Clean Any Remaining Stains
After you’ve cleaned huge regions with the arrangements above, you might have to return and recognize clean and tough residue stains. To do this, make a mix of either baking pop or cream of tartar blended in with a modest quantity of water. Apply it to the leftover ash and allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes. Then clean with a firm toothbrush or a little scour brush and flush.
How to make my Brick Fireplace Shine?
The best answer to this question is by using a high-gloss sealant. This will not only make your brick fireplace shine, but it will also provide an extra coat of protection. There are two types of high-gloss sealants for these cases, and they are oil-based and water-based. The first one takes longer to dry but has no strong smell. Conversely, the scent of oil-based is typically powerful and sometimes unpleasant. Additionally, if you accidentally spill any oil-based sealant, you will need paint thinner to remove it.
In order to do this process correctly, you must follow these steps:
- Clean the fireplace bricks
- Apply the first coat of high-gloss sealant
- Let the first coat dry for 30 minutes
- Apply the second coat of high-gloss sealant
- Allow the sealant to cure for seven days
Remember, brick is porous, so you better have your brick fireplace sealed. It brings you protection and an enhanced look.
Repeat
It is always essential to consider that the cleaning methods mentioned above are not always 100% effective. Thus, if you feel it is still not clean enough after cleaning, you can repeat the process or opt for a more aggressive method. The need to clean your fireplace is relative to how often you use it.
Contact the best for this service!
Now that you know the best tips on How to clean brick fireplaces, you can start! However, it is best to call in the experts for the best results and professional services. At Alex landscaping and Excavating, we live up to our goal of complete customer satisfaction. We offer the best masonry services in Poulsbo, Bainbridge, and Kitsap County. Contact Us and get your free estimate now.