How to Remove Soot From a Brick Fireplace

Remove soot from a brick fireplace face with mild dish soap.

As wood burns, smoke releases through the chimney, but soot can seep onto a brick fireplace face and stick there because of its tiny crooks and crevices, creating black marks on the stone. Cleaning soot regularly ensures a cleaner looking fireplace.

Things You'll Need

• Liquid soap
• Salt
• Sponge
• Stiff-bristle brush
• Spray bottle
• All-purpose cleaner
• Bucket
• Cloth
• Trisodium phosphate

Instructions

Table Salt

1. Mix 1 oz. of liquid soap with 1 oz. table salt. Place drops of water into the mixture until it forms a thick cream.

2. Spread the salt mixture over the soot on the brick with a sponge. Allow the mixture to remain on the brick for 10 minutes.

3. Scrub the brick with a wet, stiff bristle brush, removing the soot stains.

All-Purpose Cleaner

1. Spray water onto the soot on the brick fireplace with a spray bottle.

2. Mix 1/4 cup all purpose cleaner into a gallon of water.

3. Dip a stiff bristle brush into the cleaning mixture and scrub the soot stains.

4. Wet a clean cloth and wipe over the brick, removing the soot and soapy residue from the brick.

Trisodium Phosphate

1. Fill a gallon bucket with hot water. Pour 1/2 cup of trisodium phosphate into the water and stir to dissolve.

2. Wet a stiff bristle brush with the cleaning mixture. Apply the mixture to the soot on the brick, scrubbing the area clean.

3. Rinse the soot and cleaning mixture from the brick with a sponge and warm water. This is an acid solution and can be harmful to skin and other objects.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear a painter's mask, eye protection and rubber gloves when working with trisodium phosphate, as it can burn the skin.

• Avoid using harsh chemicals on brick as it could damage the surface.

References

• Good Housekeeping: It's Time to Say So Long to Soot
• Simply Good Stuff: Cleaning Fireplace Soot From Brick or Stone