How to Clean Fireplace Brick Step-By-Step
Whether for spring cleaning or before the holidays, there comes a time every year when you have to face the unpleasant chore of cleaning your brick fireplace.
If you’re a new homeowner or it’s just been a while, you may be asking yourself, “How do you clean a brick fireplace?”
Don’t stress — in this guide, we’ll share the best products to clean brick fireplaces, how often you should be cleaning, and step-by-step instructions so you can learn how to clean fireplace brick.
Before You Begin
As you get ready to clean your fireplace brick, it will save you time to have your supplies, fireplace surroundings, and the fireplace itself as prepared as possible.
Follow the steps below to set yourself up for success and make cleaning up afterward easier.
To help make cleaning your fireplace as easy as possible:
Gather your supplies beforehand — You’ll need specific cleaning products depending on what method of cleaning you’ll be using. We’ll go into each method and what you’ll need below. We suggest using paper towels instead of rags to allow for easier cleanup.
Protect the floor — Lay down an old sheet or old towels around your fireplace to protect the floors from any cleaning products or soot that may come loose during cleaning.
Empty the fireplace — Remove wood, the grate, and any large chunks of ash (a dustpan or fireplace shovel work well for this).
Vacuum the fireplace and hearth — Make sure the fireplace is completely cold before vacuuming, and check that there are no live coals remaining. We recommend using a Shop-Vac or special ash vacuum cleaner. If you're only wanting to clean the outside of the fireplace, this may be all you need to do. For the inside of the fireplace, consider trying one of the methods below.
5 Methods for Cleaning Fireplace Brick
Keep in mind that the methods below start with the least toxic option. We recommend moving down the list only if you aren’t having success with the less toxic options.
Before using any of these methods, remember to wipe down your fireplace brick with a paper towel or rag and use a shop vac to vacuum the brick, cleaning up any dust or soot.
This will enable you to start cleaning on a dry surface free of any debris.
If you’re feeling frustrated with finding the right cleaning products to use on your fireplace brick, let Tidy Up Portland! help. Our team can expertly clean the outside of your fireplace.
Whether you’re looking for professionals to clean your house regularly or you need a deep-cleaning to help get your house back in order, we are both well-equipped and trained to get your home in tip-top shape.
Contact us today.
#1: How to Clean Fireplace Brick With Detergent
Starting with…
Two large buckets
An empty spray bottle
A dish-washing detergent (that includes a grease cutter)
Distilled white vinegar
…you’re going to make a cleaning solution.
In one of the buckets, mix a gallon of warm water with two tablespoons of your dish-washing detergent of choice.
To your other bucket, you’ll add a gallon of cool water and a cup of distilled white vinegar.
Into your spray bottle, you’ll add water and use it to prep the fireplace brick. Next, take a scrub brush and dip it into your first bucket with the dish detergent. The grease cutter will remove the soot and other smoke residues from the fireplace brick.
Your distilled vinegar solution will be used after you’ve scrubbed the brick to rinse off any soapy remains and help dispel any odor from the smoke. A regular dish sponge will work here.
#2: How to Clean Fireplace Brick With Vinegar
Vinegar can be an effective cleaning method to help break down any build-up on fireplace brick.
If your fireplace is old (20+ years), you may need to consider stronger methods of cleaning.
For an easy way to clean fireplace brick with vinegar, simply:
Mix equal parts vinegar and water into a spray bottle.
Spray both the fireplace brick outside of the fireplace.
Wait for a few minutes and repeat.
Using a scrub brush in a circular motion, work from the outside of the fireplace to remove residue and soot.
Rinse and wipe down the bricks, repeating these steps as necessary to achieve the level of cleanliness you’re happy with.
Combine a few tablespoons of baking soda and water in your spray bottle and spray the fireplace brick. This will help counteract the acidity of the vinegar.
Let dry and admire your freshly cleaned fireplace.
#3: How to Clean Fireplace Brick With Borax
Borax will be the next level up if vinegar or detergent aren’t getting the job done. A little goes a long way so be sure to start small and add more as needed.
To clean your fireplace brick with Borax:
Combine two tablespoons of Borax into a spray bottle with a bit of dish detergent and four cups of hot water.
Shake to mix the contents and spray over the fireplace bricks.
Same as the above methods, you’ll use a scrub brush in a circular motion to remove residue.
Use a paper towel to wipe away the soot and debris and rinse with a wet sponge.
Repeat as necessary.
#4: How to Clean Fireplace Brick With Ammonia
If none of the above methods have proved successful, it’s time to bring out the big guns.
Before starting to clean your fireplace bricks with ammonia, open up any windows and doors to let in some fresh air.
We suggest wearing a pair of rubber gloves and goggles while you clean.
To make your cleaning mixture:
Mix ⅓ cup of ammonia with ¼ cup of dish soap and four cups of hot water in a spray bottle.
Spray the bricks and allow them to soak for about 5 minutes or so.
With a wet scrub brush, clean the fireplace brick and rinse with a clean, wet sponge.
It’s important to note that this method is best used on newer bricks since ammonia can be harsh and may damage old or brittle bricks.
#5: How to Clean Fireplace Brick With Trisodium Phosphate (TSP)
If you actually enjoy cleaning as a way of stress relief, you’ve probably come across trisodium phosphate (TSP) in your hunt for the most effective cleaning products.
TSP should be used very carefully as it is potentially dangerous.
To clean your fireplace brick with TSP:
Mix 1 gallon of water with 1/8 cup of TSP.
As with all methods before, take a bristle scrub brush dipped in the TSP solution and scrub the bricks.
Rinse with a clean, wet sponge.
You’ll want to be sure none of the TSP mixture splashed anywhere during the cleaning process, so another round of rinsing is advised.
How Often Should You Clean Fireplace Brick?
How often you clean your fireplace is completely up to personal preference. Whether you opt for…
Before or after fireplace season
Both
Just before the holidays
During spring cleaning
… is up to you.
The National Fire Protection Association Standards says all chimneys, fireplaces, and vents should be inspected at least yearly to ensure they are working properly.
Obviously, the more often you clean your fireplace the less work it will be to keep it clean, but if you don’t mind a little elbow grease, once a year is absolutely fine.
If you neglect to clean your fireplace brick, it can result in the build-up of creosote, a highly flammable substance that can cause an uncontrolled fire.
How Do You Clean Fireplace Brick Naturally?
If you want to take a clean, or green approach to cleaning your fireplace brick, you’ll want to aim for one of the least toxic cleaning methods we mentioned above.
Opt to clean your fireplace brick with detergent, baking soda, or vinegar before turning to other methods.
Save the Hassle and Let the Pros at Tidy Up Portland! Make Your Fireplace Brick Look Good As New
We make it our priority to clean your space with cleaning supplies that are natural and safe for you.
Contact us to learn more about our exceptional cleaning and affordable rates, or book online via our booking portal.
Make an appointment today and let Tidy Up Portland! do the work to get your fireplace brick as good as new.
