How to Remove Fireplace Grime

Few things are cozier than a roaring fire in the hearth. To make sure your brick or stone fireplace is ready for hot action at a moment's notice, surface-clean it in early fall, before the chill sets in, and in late spring, to buff away a season's worth of soot and creosote buildup.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Powdered Pumice
• Ammonia
• Window Cleaner
• Broom Or Duster
• Scrub Brush
• Small Brush Or Paintbrush
• Towel Or Dust-free Rag
• Vacuum With Small Brush Attachment
• Wire Brush
• Naphtha Soap
• Razor Blade
• Dustpan
• Lidded Metal Container
• Plastic Bucket
• Safety Goggles
• Dust Mask
• Chimney brush, flue brush or stiff-bristle brush

1. Wait at least 24 hours after your last fire. Wearing safety goggles and a dust mask, clean up the fireplace with a broom or duster and dustpan, and place the ashes in a lidded metal container.
2. Brush the flue (the pipe that runs between the fireplace and chimney) with a short chimney brush, flue brush or stiff-bristle brush to remove creosote buildup.
3. Scrub the outside of the damper (the metal gate between the firebox and chimney) with a stiff-bristle brush to loosen creosote, soot and ash buildup. Open and close the damper several times to ensure it operates freely.
4. Brush the firebox and hearth floor with a wire brush to remove creosote buildup.
5. Create a cleaner by mixing a 4-oz. (125-g) shaved bar of naphtha soap in 1 qt. (32 fl oz/1 l) hot water in a plastic bucket until the soap is dissolved. Cool, then thoroughly mix in 1/2 lb. (250 g) powdered pumice and 1/2 cup (4 fl oz/125 ml) ammonia. Apply the naphtha cleaner to the firebox and hearth floor with a small brush or paintbrush. Since drips or runs onto unclean surfaces may leave marks, start at the bottom and work up. Let it sit for 1 hour.
6. Scrub with a scrub brush and warm water. Rinse clean. (Not all black or brown residue can be removed from porous brick.)
7. Scrape heavy buildup from glass fireplace doors with a razor blade. Finish with a spritz of window cleaner, then buff dry with a towel or dust-free rag.
8. Dust or vacuum the fireplace mantel and screen using a vacuum with the small brush attachment.

Tips & Warnings

• Check for loose bricks or mortar and cracks before each fireplace season.
• Always wear safety goggles and a dust mask when cleaning soot and ashes.

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