How to Clean Interior Brick Walls
Brick may seem virtually maintenance free, but over time dust, soot and other airborne particles can collect on an interior brick wall and dull its color. Because bricks are porous, enough grime may even speed up deterioration. For indoor brick walls, the normal solution of power washing isn't practical. Fortunately, it's also not necessary. As long as the bricks and mortar are in good condition, a gentle cleaning is all you need to restore the wall's rich red hue. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Plastic drop sheets
- Waterproof tape
- Brass wire brushes
- Two plastic buckets
- Cleaning cloths or rags
- Grease-cutting dish soap
- Salt
- Boric acid
Instructions
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1
Spread a plastic drop sheet on the floor under the wall. Raise one edge of the drop sheet up to cover the two lowest rows of bricks. Using waterproof tape, such as painter's tape, attach the drop sheet to the wall. This will catch runoff so it doesn't damage your floor.
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2
Place grease-cutting cake or gel dish soap in a bucket with an equal amount of table salt. Add enough water so you can mix the ingredients into a thick paste. Liquid dish soap is also an option. If you use liquid soap, omit the extra water and add about 10 percent more salt than soap.
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3
Dip a clean cloth into the paste and spread it on the wall to create a nearly opaque film. With a brass wire scrub brush, vigorously scrub the paste into the bricks. Let the paste soak in for 10 minutes.
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4
Saturate a clean cloth in pure warm water. Wipe the soap-salt paste off the wall. Rinse the cloth frequently. For a large section of wall or a very dirty wall, change the water when it becomes noticeably dark.
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5
Mix 1 tbsp. boric acid in a gallon of warm water. Dip a scrub brush in the solution and scrub the wall with a firm pressure. Let the solution sit for two minutes. Repeat Step 4 to remove the boric acid solution.
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Tips & Warnings
For lightly soiled walls, Step 5 may be unnecessary.
Boric acid is not the same as borax. To find boric acid, ask at your local pharmacy.
Before cleaning, check the wall's condition. If any bricks are loose or crumbling or you can scratch the mortar with a key, consult a professional. The wall may require repointing (remortaring) or other repairs to prevent further damage during cleaning.
Wear waterproof gloves and protective glasses when working with boric acid.
Avoid harsh chemicals like muriatic acid (acid wash) or trisodium phosphate unless you know the type of brick you have will tolerate them. These products may discolor some types of brick.
