How to Clean Fake Brick

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Fake brick has a texture that allows grease and dust to cling to it. Without regular cleaning, a wall of fake brick can soon look like a wall of fake fur. Follow these steps to clean fake brick and then treat it to keep it looking good and easier to clean.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

2 qts. hot water
2 cups of powdered non-bleaching laundry soap
1 lb. powdered pumice
1 c. household ammonia
2 non-metal buckets
Soft-bristled scrub brush
Disposable stir stick
Safety glasses or goggles
Heavy-duty rubber gloves
Cleaning rags
Old towels or cloth tarp
Linseed oil (available at art stores and home improvement center)

Step1

Mix the hot tap water and powdered laundry soap in one of the buckets. Add the ammonia and powdered pumice and mix thoroughly.

Step2

Lay a cloth tarp or several old towels under the fake brick that's being cleaned. The cleaning solution may be harmful to flooring or countertops.

Step3

Wear protective eyewear and rubber gloves.

Step4

Dip the scrub brush into the solution. Use a circular motion to work the solution over the bricks and loosen the surface dust and dirt. If you are cleaning a large area, work in sections.

Step5

Fill a second bucket with tap water. Soak the cleaning rags with water, wring them out and then wipe the surface of the brick to rinse off cleaner and loose dirt.

Step6

Apply a thin coat of linseed oil with a clean, lint-free cloth, once the fake brick is dry. The linseed oil will seal the surface, improve the appearance and make cleaning next time much easier.

Tips & Warnings

Before tackling the entire wall, test the solution on a small, inconspicuous area to make sure that it is safe for that surface.
To protect the surface below the fake brick, use towels or a cloth tarp to absorb any drips. A plastic drop cloth will become messy and slippery as the water pools on it.
Wear heavy-duty rubber gloves and protective eyewear. If the cleaning solution splashes on your skin or face, flush the area immediately with cool water.
Use this cleaning method only on fake brick that has the same feel as real brick. Do not use the solution on paper, plastic or ceramic surfaces.