How to Clean Brick Inside a Fireplace

Clean brick fireplaces to remove soot.

Brick fireplaces provide warmth and hours of enjoyment for homeowners. Unfortunately, after excessive use, they can become stained with smoke and soot resulting in black marks. Fireplaces that are made of brick require more vigorous cleaning because the stains are trapped in the brick pores. Using the proper cleaning solution and method ensures the appearance of the fireplace remains attractive for many years.

Things You'll Need

• Broom
• Vacuum
• Bucket
• Water
• Powdered laundry detergent
• Trisodium phosphate
• Spoon
• Scrub brush
• White vinegar

Instructions

1. Open or remove the fireplace screen to access the interior of the fireplace. Remove the logs, grill and any other items inside the fireplace.

2. Sweep out all ashes and debris using a small broom and discard them. Plug in a vacuum and use the hose attachment to suck up any remaining debris inside the fireplace. Run the vacuum hose over the brick walls to remove any surface dust.

3. Pour 1/2 cup of trisodium phosphate into a bucket and add 1/2 cup of powdered laundry detergent.

4. Pour 1 gallon of warm water into the bucket and stir the contents with a spoon until all of the powder is dissolved into the water.

5. Dip a stiff-bristled brush into the soap mixture and apply it to the inside bricks of the fireplace.

6. Scrub the inside surface of the fireplace one brick at a time to remove soot and smoke stains. Dip the brush back into the bucket frequently to rinse off the soot and to apply additional cleanser.

7. Allow the bricks inside the fireplace to dry completely before reinserting the logs.

Tips & Warnings

• For stubborn soot stains, dip the scrub brush into undiluted white vinegar and scrub the brick until the stain is removed.

• Trisodium phosphate is available in the cleaning aisle of most grocery and home improvement stores. It is most commonly sold under the name TSP.

References

• Brick A New: Cleaning Brick Fireplaces