How do I clean this? - Soot off fireplace bricks

**Denvergirlie** · 01-21-2010, 12:49 AM

Here is a photo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1421215...7623069084429/

How do I clean this?
Can I clean it?
Do I just try to "rub" it in and smear it around too blend it in?

If it makes any difference it most likely created from burning mainly pine; not certain if that sap value would have any bearing in the clean up method you would recommend?

We are going to paint the ceiling, but wondering if I can touch up the soot on the bricks?

Any advice appreciated, thanks

**thefrug** · 01-21-2010, 07:39 AM

1) that link comes up with : Page not found

2) Hunny, it's brick! Vacuum it first to get the loose stuff off and then use soap and water and wash it and rinse it. And you'll probably have to actually do it more than once and use some elbow grease. You more than likely won't get every bit off, but it's brick and a fireplace.

I've never understood people's obsession with having perfect and clean brick fireplaces. The only way to get perfect is to tear it all out and put in new. It's been used. Stuff has been burned in it. It's not going to ever be new and pristine again.
It's one thing to sweep, or vacuum and then wash it off to help keep the build up of creosote down and the dust and smell, but perfect it won't ever be if it's been used and for some time.

**Denvergirlie** · 01-21-2010, 10:38 AM

Okay, try this link...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14212156@N08/4268397240/

I don't care so much about it being totally clean and pristine, but would like to get it cleaned up a bit, seems like it's a huge line of dirt pointing to the ceiling.
Plus all the walls are wood, I need to lighten up with room, it's already WAY too much exposed wood everywhere, in every room, there isn't much drywall in the house to change the color from the overwhelming wood panelling, etc.
(you should be able to see the other photos of the new place now as well??)

I am sure one we get in, and get our furniture in and stuff up on the walls, it will be better, but right now I just stare in horror at all the wood.

Now don't get me wrong, I like some of it, it's cosy, it totally fits with the house, and the property the house sits on, but it's still way more wood panneling than I would ever personally choose.

Anyways, that's why I want to clean that brick wall up as much as possible, I need those light colored bricks to be a welcome note of "white" in the room.

ps - yes we are going to repaint the ceiling as well.

thanks

**Josephhgoins** · 01-21-2010, 10:45 AM

love the wood stove and the first place!!

Is that brink or stone? Do you think it is artificial stone? I am thinking some artificial stone is chemical sensitive, but others will know for sure.

is that a concrete floor? If so, is pressure washing an option?

**Denvergirlie** · 01-21-2010, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by Josephhgoins

love the wood stove and the first place!!

Is that brink or stone? Do you think it is artificial stone? I am thinking some artificial stone is chemical sensitive, but others will know for sure.

is that a concrete floor? If so, is pressure washing an option?

Cookstove can burn wood, but we realyl think it's a coal burning stove because the size of the firebox is itty bitty tiny. Have to chop wood into kindling size for this guy, in order to get it in the stove, and in turn have to feed it every 30 - 45 minutes to keep it warm. It will not hold wood coals over to the morning, even burning only hardwood in it over the pine. It's basically cold in the morning, and have to start again with wood. Although a lot of coal moves thru Colorado, it's really not for public sale in this state, so it's gonna be a wood buring stove after all.

Pretty certain it's brick, the house was orginally a small cabin (kitchen) that has been added onto over the years. Last major construction was most likely back in the 70's at the very earliest. However I will be up here again tomorrow, so will double check.

Floor - it's some kind of wood tile?? Parkay maybe? Not really certain what it is to be honest. We have plank wood flooring in half the rooms, and then this wood tile stuff in the rest of the house. It's definately not concrete.

**Josephhgoins** · 01-21-2010, 11:25 AM

The Cookstove may be coal, but I think its wood. Where I am from a lot of folks have wood cook stoves in case the power goes off (which it does often) and most of them have the same kind of fire box. I think they are designed like that so you don't heat the house up as much in the summer.

I LOVE cooking on those. When I was at home I had one in my mom's basement that I cooked on all the time. It made the best bisuits and gravy. One day I will get up the courage to try a cake, but that takes some effort.

You don't realize how much work it takes just controlling the fire until you use one. I spend as much time tending the coals as I do the food.

Yeah, wood flooring then pressure washer is surely out.

**pop goes the weasel** · 01-21-2010, 03:08 PM

My MIL sweeps the area with the brush attatchment of her sweeper and then uses ammonia water and a brush. Takes it right off of hers.

**Contrary Housewife** · 01-21-2010, 03:55 PM

Scrub brush, soap and water, LOTS of elbow grease.

**MaryinFL** · 01-21-2010, 06:03 PM

The wall around my fireplace is just like that. Its not brick, its stone

Mine was a mess when I bought my house. It was almost impossible to clean because of the depth between the stones. I had mine sand blasted before I moved in. They were very good and there wasn't much mess. It turned out great

The stain is caused when the smoke comes in the house instead of up the chimney. You will want to call and get a chimney sweeper to come in and clean it before you use it or you will have the same thing happen again.

**pbobber** · 01-22-2010, 10:33 AM

Try vaccuming and the using a chemical dry sponge. The sponge will help remove the embedded soot. You can get dry sponges at a janitorial supply or probably e-bay.

**Judi Dial** · 01-22-2010, 12:33 PM

Here's a link on cleaning a sooty fireplace:
http://seasonal-home-maintenance.sui...cfm/fireplaces

It uses foaming bathroom cleaner!

btw, I absolutely get the thing about the wood. We live in a log home, varnished inside, logs planed flat. I cherish every drywall wall I've got!

Judi

**Denvergirlie** · 01-23-2010, 02:21 AM

Okay, I guess the answer is scrub with a variety of different cleaners. I've heard everything under the sun, and that's what I found when I goggled. I guess any of those things ith elbow grease applied will produce results.

I'm going to have the chimneys swept on Friday, then to scrub for a bit. We are moving the bulk of our items in on Saturday.

We will have TONS of space to move things around when we spray the ceiling with new paint, although we are packed into this house, it's going to look a bit stark for a while before we can add more furniture.

thanks all