The area must be well-ventilated and ceramic tile, metal, fabrics, carpets, and painted surfaces must be protected from damage. Additional cleaning may be needed for the surrounding finishes to remove dust and soot. Spend extra time carefully scrubbing and reapplying the solution to areas with the most buildup. Apply the solution to the fireplace surround with a soft cloth or sponge. Use a damp sponge to wipe away the soot. So, if you decide to make a purchase through one of the links on this site, I receive a commission for it. If the soot-eraser doesnt do it for you, either in practice or in theory, there are also plenty of spray cleansers out there that may be more to your liking. All rights reserved. Insert a scrubbing brush into the solution and scrub the interior of the fireplace. But, once I added the flannel gray and sort of sponged it on and wiped it off, I began feeling less fearful. Ensure that you work on a cold fireplace. Generally, you should start with the mildest possible cleanser and see if that will remove the bulk of the soot. Finish your cleaning by sponging water over the stone to rinse off the cleaning solution. In some cases, washing the fireplace hearth with detergent will suffice while if the hearth is badly soiled, you will need to use a more powerful solution such as trisodium phosphate (TSP). Towels last up to 5 years, and most homeowners dont find much use for them beyond that. If there still seems to be a light film left on the wood, you can use a degreaser and a scrubbing sponge to get into the porous areas of the wood. Continue to do this until the fireplace looks free from soot and general dirt. During seasons of regular use, go through these steps for how to clean a stone fireplace on a weekly basis to remove light to moderate accumulations of soot, dirt, and grit that collect on. The damage usually looks black and very sooty. Thats where the wall was scorched. Be sure to mix enough for your entire stone surface or you may have different colors of paint in different areas. If thats not in the cards for youeither because it sounds too ghastly for words (fair) or because physical limitations prevent you from doing that much scrubbing (also fair, obvs)and you own a power drill, great. Step 4: Dampen the stiff-bristled brush with the mixed liquid and scrub the inner parts of the fireplace from top to bottom to ensure the soot is cleaned out. Learn How to Paint a Stone Fireplace - The Birch Cottage To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com. I really was pleasantly surprised when my husband said it was okay with him if I painted the stone fireplace. Wipe dry with a paper towel or lint-free cloth. Also pay attention to avoid inhaling fumes or getting it in your eyes while you scrub. The round hole in the wall was probably from some sort of whole house sound system. Fill the second bucket with plain cool water. Boy was that a messy job! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. After it has set, use a plastic wire scrub to remove the cleaning solution. If soot stains persist, dont be afraid to call a professional service like The Cleaning Authority, a leading provider of cleaning services in 45 states. Remember to ventilate the room, air out the house, and allow your stone fireplace to dry properly before lighting it again. But what is the best way to clean a sandstone fireplace? I guess they thought they were doing what was best when they simply covered everything up with paneling and drop ceiling and carpet. Fortunately, they werent actually glued to the wall, but were mounted on sturdy metal brackets which made removal a lot easier. So heres the deal with TSP: It works, like, crazy good. I'm Pam, wife, mom, nana (mawmaw), dog mom, & creative blogger behind The Birch Cottage blog. If you look for stone supplies in OKC to add to your next project, you will find a variety of Are you installing or updating a pool? Spend extra time carefully scrubbing and reapplying the solution to areas with the most buildup. Wait 24 hours, or at least until the test spot dries, before taking on the rest of the project. If the rinsing bucket becomes dirty or soapy, change the water. Fill a spray bottle with plain water and spritz the stained areas. We want you to see us as your full-service hearth and home supplier! Apply the paste on the fireplace hearth, allow it to set in for 10 minutes, and then scrub and rinse. How to Clean Soot from a Brick Fireplace Surround Stone fireplaces are easy to maintain and offer a variety of benefits to those who choose them! This is why it is best to use warm water and a non-hazardous dish soap to clean your fireplace. Place a tarp in front of the. This is also the time when you can determine what type of initial cleaning you need to do before you use a wet solution in your fireplace. After it has set, use a plastic wire scrub to remove the cleaning solution. We have a large picture window on the front of our house that actually overlooks our enclosed front porch. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. You will follow the same process for your outdoor fireplace . Replace the hot water and soap mixture with cold water (no soap this time). Republishing posts in their entirety is prohibited. After you inspect the area, you should sweep up and clean the area thoroughly to ensure any loose debris and ash has been removed from the area. Check for areas with particular buildup (anything 1/4 inch or thicker). Finish by dipping a clean sponge in the plain water for a final rinse. Step 4: Dip a stiff-bristled brush in the TSP mix and then thoroughly scrub the interior walls and the floor of the stone fireplace to remove any residual soot, dirt, and buildup of creosote. Take safety precautions and thoroughly rinse and dry the area afterward. - Bob Vila Green Solved! Add two ounces of bleach for every gallon of your TSP mix. Mix one to two drops of mild dish detergent with two cups of warm water in a bowl. How To Clean A Stone Fireplace: Rock Hearth Guide Let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing. Mix equal parts of water and baking soda to make a paste. Thats also on our to do list. Apply the cleaner to the fireplace hearth with a sponge while wearing rubber gloves to protect your hands. I tried scrubbing it with a brush and using Spray Nine. Step 1: Cover the furniture and area around the fireplace to protect it from damage. Come explore The Birch Cottage where I hope you'll find inspiration to craft a handmade home. Step 2: Remove the fireplace grate and andirons (if you have these in your fireplace). Use a wet rag with water to remove the solution and dry the firebox. You should, of course, chime in below with whats worked for you, if youve found yourself in a soot-removal situation and have wisdom to impart. Cleaning a fireplace can be a messy task, but the last thing you want is for that mess to spread into the rest of your room. Substitute fine-ground powdered pumice (available at hardware stores or online) instead of salt to sprinkle on the scrub brush. Cleaning Fireplace Soot from Brick or Stone - Simply Good Tips Use a sponge dipped in clean water to rinse each spot several times. To use TSP, dilute a quarter- to a half-cup of TSP in two or so gallons of water, and scrub the brick using a sponge or brush. Step 5: This step is for cleaning tough stains that have resisted scrubbing with the TSP mix. Ashes should always be removed at the end of the fire season, which is also a good time to clean the firebox bricks and fireplace surround. As you come in our front door, this wall is to the right. Vacuum the hearth, mantle, and fireplace surround as well. Maintaining a clean fireplace not only makes it safer to use it is also more efficient and aesthetically pleasing throughout the burn season. Apply the paste to the stained areas and let it sit for a few minutes to get the maximum effect, then scrub hard before cleaning the area with water dipped in warm water. Muriatic acid is a heavy-duty acid that is used to clean natural stone and other masonry items. Step 3: Pour the vinegar mixture into a spray bottle and spray the inner and outer parts of the fireplace. Because sandstone fireplaces have such strong visual appeal, it is important you keep yours looking its best throughout the year. Cleaning your sandstone fireplace is not terribly complicated. With any of these options, youll want to put down a drop cloth of sorts to protect your flooring and work from the top down, as the soot and cleaning solution will drip downward as you clean. This will help ensure that you safely and effectively clean your fireplace, and also leave it ready for further use. Dry the fireplace with a towel or allow to air dry. This will make sure the cleaner will not leave traces when the hearth dries. What Is the Best Stone Pool Coping Oklahoma? Made with Newspaper Theme. Before you scrub, prepare the area by sweeping it and setting up drop cloths in the surrounding areas. How to Whiten Limestone Fireplaces | Home Guides | SF Gate However, there are a few tricks to this task that will make cleaning brick much easier. Of course, there was lots of patching to be done as well. Because TSP is so very strong, it will do the bulk of the work for you, though some effort will be required on your part. Use one sponge to wipe away the cleaning solution and loosened soot. You are reading and following advice from The Birch Cottage at your own risk. However, with a little creativity and time, you will think twice about throwing them away. When you have a regular cleaning schedule, this should work well. 5- Make sure to clean surrounding areas after youre done cleaning the stone fireplace to get rid of any stray droplets of TSP. (the stiff brush part sounds like hard work-salt is not known for it's cleaning ability) Formula 2: Hello and welcome to The Birch Cottage! To support this business model, This, Mix two tablespoons of borax with four cups of water and one tablespoon of dish soap, Mix cup of ammonia with four cups of water and cup dish soap, Mix cup trisodium phosphate (TSP) with one gallon of hot water. It is also a capital S, capital C Serious Chemical and needs to be handled in a very specific way: namely, with gloves and goggles and ventilation. Then scrub with a firm toothbrush or small scrub brush and rinse. Efflorescence presents itself as a crystalline build-up looking like a powdery deposit of salts. TSP is toxic, so again, wear proper safety gear like gloves, goggles, and a face mask. Boost Your Outdoor Living Space with Decorative Stone OKC. To remove soot and smoke stains: Make a paste from TSP and water. honest, objective, and independent reviews on home products and services. Your Stone fireplace requires intense cleaning due to the buildup of soot, dirt, and creosote. The only thing is that the soot eraser is still going to require some labor. Those were custom made mirrors for that wall. Remove the solution with a rag and water and dry it with a towel. Follow the same steps as the salt method for cleaning and rinsing. Polishing is not recommended. Rinse the hearth with a soft sponge dipped in clear water when you're done scrubbing out all of that dirt. Wearing rubber gloves, dip the scrub brush in the TSP solution and scrub. These are the kinds of things youll find at hardware or home-improvement storespoke around a bit, youre likely to find a few options along these lines. Apply the solution, then follow through step three. Cover the floor and walls with plastic to keep them clean. Use a shovel or trowel to place the ashes in a metalnever plasticbucket. Cleaning soot around your fireplace can create a huge mess unless you do it the right way. Apply the solution to the fireplace surround with a soft cloth or sponge. Protect the floor space around the hearth with old newspapers or a dropcloth. If, after the fireplace hearth dries, there are still stains remaining, it's time for a more powerful cleaner. If youve got soot stains on your fireplaces hearth or brick facade, well walk you through how to clean fireplace brick to get rid of unsightly black discoloration and the smell of smoke. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Required fields are marked *. Use a shop vac or a vacuum with a hose attachment to clean each rock. Start with the mildest method and progress to stronger cleaners. Once you have enough solution, stir it until well mixed. View our Privacy Policy here. There are three main methods of cleaning your stone fireplace: With Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) With Vinegar With Muriatic Acid. Remember to take care when cleaning any fireplace and always give them an extra rinse to remove any excess cleaning solutions. To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience. In the above picture, youll see the original stone wall on the bottom right. From wall siding and flooring to building stone Natural flooring stones OKC add a sense of luxury and elegance wherever they are used. You can even use a vacuum with a brush attachment to help suck up some of the more stubborn ash. Things You Will Need. Be sure that the room is well-ventilated, because ammonia fumes can be powerful. Dont forget to wear your gloves and goggles for this step.

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