How to Clean Brick Fireplaces

Rough brick fireplaces readily absorb stains from the dirt, smoke and soot they are exposed to. Unpainted brick can be scrubbed down with a muriatic acid solution. The acid solution might strip the paint right off painted bricks, so if your bricks are painted, you'll need to limit yourself to a solution of grease-cutting dish soap in warm water. Before you start work, remove any ornaments or accessories on the fireplace and spread out rags or a tarp to protect the floor around the fireplace.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rags
• Non-metal bucket
• Muriatic acid
• Gauntlet-style acid-resistant gloves
• Non-metal scrub brush
• Light-colored children's modeling clay
• Baking soda

1. Wipe any surface dirt off the fireplace bricks with a dry cloth, then dampen the cloth in water and wipe again to remove more grit and dirt.

2. Fill a non-metal bucket with nine parts warm water and one part muriatic acid. Wear gauntlet-style acid-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

3. Dip a stiff non-metal scrub brush in the water and acid solution. Start at the top of the brick fireplace and work your way down, scrubbing as you go.

4. Rinse the brick off immediately and wipe down with a clean, wet rag, rewetting the rag frequently

5. Remove any remaining soot stains by pressing light-colored children's modeling clay or dough against the stain, then lifting off. The stain should come away on the clay. You can then work the clay between your hands until it shows a clean surface and repeat this process on the next stain. Dispose of the clay once it appears dirty all the way through.

Tips & Warnings

• Always add acid to water, not water to acid; this helps prevent accidental splashing. Dispose of muriatic acid by neutralizing it with copious amounts of baking soda -- do this in a well-ventilated area or, even better, outside -- before pouring it down the drain. Never pour un-neutralized muriatic acid down the drain.
• Wear eye goggles to protect yourself from any splashing muriatic acid. Don't let the muriatic acid come into contact with any metal surfaces; it will stain them with black scorch marks almost immediately. Make sure to have baking soda on hand to neutralize any spilled muriatic acid; just pour the baking soda liberally over the spill. Always handle acid in a well-ventilated area.

Resources

• Where to Find Muriatic Acid