how to clean fireplace stone

Hi Elaine. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Empty the bucket of soapy water and replace it with fresh cold water. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. Scrub the sidewalls, back wall, and floor of the firebox (from the top down on walls and from back to front on the firebox floor) with a dry scrub brush to loosen dirt and soot. The method used to clean cement and stone fireplaces varies depending on if it is sealed or not. Quick cleaning methods: The most common flooring or hearth for a fireplace is that of stone. Cleaning a stone fireplace can be easy when done with an efficient cleaner. To bring out the surface and color interest of the stones Downy liquid fabric softener can be used. Combine 1⁄2 cup (120 mL) of dish detergent with 4 cups (950 mL) of water in a spray bottle and shake it up well to mix it. Always dry the hearth afterwards. Water your stone until it no longer accepts the water. Stone fireplaces should be cleaned when buildup starts to occur. He has a Bachelors in Business Administration and Management from Baruch College. Dab the fireplace surround dry with the fresh rag, then let the fireplace surround air-dry completely before igniting your next fire. Your goal is to create a mixture that is easily spreadable with a brush. Some will recommend spraying water on the stone fireplace face or wall to make the absorption of the cleaning implements faster. You could risk damaging the stone if you go too hard. You can also use a scrubbing brush for tough stains but try to scrub as lightly as possible. Wait at least 12 hours after your last fire before attempting to clean a fireplace in order to give it a … The more modern choices are limestone and soapstone. Eliminating these accumulations on an ongoing basis—a relatively easy and inexpensive task—is the best way to maintain the beauty, efficiency, and safety of your hearth. The easiest way to … So read on to learn how to clean a stone fireplace (as well as deep-clean it, as necessary) using supplies you already have at home. First, try household ammonia, which contains five to 10% ammonia and is an effective all-purpose cleaner. Stone fireplace cleaning can seem like a daunting task. 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 fireplace surround with each cozy night by the fire. Depending on how large an area you need to clean, you may need to make more as you go. He has a Bachelors in Business Administration and Management from Baruch College. Here’s how to clean a fireplace surround and hearth in a quick and simple way. This article has been viewed 31,439 times. For a deeper clean, mix trisodium phosphate with water, dip a scrub brush into the mixture, and work at removing built-up grime. Microscopic pits found on the surface of natural stone such as granite, limestone, or slate collect their fair share of dust, dirt, soot, and creosote—a dark brown condensation of the by-products of fire (e.g., smoke or vapor) that can lead to chimney fires. Let sit up to 10 minutes and rinse with warm water. Consider calling in professionals once a year to thoroughly clean soot and ash. To learn how to rinse your fireplace after you’ve cleaned it, keep reading! Gently scrub the area and immediately rinse with clean water. Limestone is a lot less durable than igneous rock or marble, and can be damaged easily by overzealous brushing. Spray the solution onto the bricks and use a scrub brush to clean off the soot. Due to its pale colour, marks can occur easily. Step 3: Drain out the bucket of soapy water and refill it with fresh cold water. A pile of old ashes in the firebox. Use a hand vacuum or a vacuum hose to siphon the debris that settled onto the firebox floor during scrubbing. You can clean the soot off your stone fireplace wall and face by using a variety of homemade methods. For some, this could mean cleaning once a year. This article was co-authored by Raymond Chiu. Scrape out the trapped grit and dirt by scrubbing from top to bottom on the stone. To clean the fireplace grate and/or andirons (rails used to support logs), remove the grate/andirons … To learn how to rinse your fireplace after you’ve cleaned it, keep reading! Because natural stone is made up of many microscopic pores, ash, soot and other stains can get beneath the surface of the stone, making it much more difficult for the stains to be wiped away. If buildup occurs in between cleanings, you can use mild soap, water, and a sponge to wash off the spots. Wipe the stained area with a water-dampened rag until the paste has been removed. Dab the fireplace surround dry with a dry rag, then let the fireplace surround air-dry completely before igniting your next fire. Do not attempt to clean when it is heated or in use. Dusting the Fireplace Place towels at the foot of the fireplace. Raymond Chiu is the Director of Operations for MaidSailors.com, a residential and commercial cleaning service based in New York City that provides home and office cleaning services at affordable prices. This article has been viewed 31,439 times. It has some smoke stains but that blends in with the multishades of brown and mortar. Regular fireplace users insist that if you throw salt onto a roaring fire, soot stains around the stone fireplace will disappear. How to clean natural stone in the house Teresa González Díez ( teresa.litosweb@gmail.com ) There are few people who would not like to have in their house some corner where natural stone is the main protagonist: a staircase, the floor of a living room, a chimney, the corner of the barbecue, or, more commonly, the counter-tops of a bathroom and the kitchen. Stone is porous and holds on to dirt. You can purchase TSP at home improvement stores. A hoover with brush adapter. Sealed Or Unsealed Stone? This fireplace surround is natural stone a hundred years old or so old. Steps to Clean the Stone: Wear rubber gloves and eye protection at all times. Saturate your stone and grout with water so that it no longer absorbs the water. To clean your fireplace, begin by creating a soapy solution of warm water and your cleaning agent in the bucket. As far as I could tell, there are two options, pay a professional to come do something that sounds super messy, or go at it yourself with a variety if different cleaning methods. It’s messy, but it usually does the trick. You may need to add more cleaning solution if your fireplace is notably dirty. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Try it on an inconspicuous part of the fireplace and then wait 24 hours. By Manasa Reddigari and Bob Vila. By soaking the stone, the dirty liquid will stay on the surface. TSP works as both a degreaser and heavy-duty cleaner, making it more effective than soap alone in eliminating stubborn smoke stains and creosote. Fill the container with plain cold water, close the lid, then store it outside the home away from other flammable materials until you’re ready to discard them. Baking Soda and Dish Soap: Make a paste combining roughly 3 tablespoons of dish soap with half a cup of baking soda. If your fireplace is very dirty, apply the cleaning solution with a sponge and let it sit for a few minutes. In a small bucket, dilute a quarter-cup of dish soap in a quart of hot but not scalding water. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. A paste of baking soda and water with lots of elbow grease works great to clean stone. With a little time and effort, however, you can do a routine cleaning without the help of a professional. Clean by dipping your scrub brush in the soap bucket and then scrubbing the stone with the wet brush. Black soot on the glass. Ammonia is caustic, so protect your skin and eyes with long sleeves and protective goggles. An easier solution is to use an enzyme cleaner. People install natural stone like marble, granite, slate and travertine in their fireplaces to get a more rustic and traditional vibe. Only clean when the fireplace is cold. The inside of the fireplace should be cleaned anytime ¼ or more of soot buildup occurs. Dust and dirt may go undetected on the lighter patina of stone fireplaces compared with brick, but your fireplace must still be cleaned regularly. By using our site, you agree to our. It’s always a good idea to clean your hearth in preparation for cosy evenings around the fireplace before the winter months roll in. However, if you follow this advice, your fireplace will soon look like new. MATERIALS AND TOOLS Available on Amazon – Gloves – Safety goggles – Respirator – Trisodium phosphate (TSP) powder – Plain water – Gallon-size bucket – Wood stir sticks (2) – Stiff-bristle scrub brushes (5) – Clean rags (4) – Hand vacuum or traditional vacuum with hose attachment – Soft sponges (2). Let the solution dwell for five minutes. Smoky stains on the surrounding brick, marble, or tile Then lay drop cloths on the floor around the fireplace and a tarp over nearby furniture to protect them from cleaning fluids and airborne dust. If, after the fireplace hearth dries, there are still stains remaining, it's time for a more powerful cleaner. Stir with a wood stir stick until the soap has dissolved. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Heavy or hard-to-remove deposits of dirt, soot, and stains on the fireplace surround that are formed due to a lack of routine cleaning or persistent use after routine cleaning will warrant more powerful cleaning agents. Repeat the same process as before, leaving it for ten to fifteen minutes, before completing the rinsing process. Wipe the cleaned areas of the firebox with a water-dampened rag to remove the TSP solution, then dry these areas with dry rags and return the grate/andirons to the firebox. References. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Dunk a clean soft sponge in the remaining TSP solution, then apply it to the entire fireplace surround, making sure to wet both the stone and the grout. Mix a solution of TSP (trisodium phosphate) in warm water in the bucket according to package directions. Clean the fireplace regularly. A quick clean up of any dust, dirt and debris aids in preventing stains from forming. Because of the high volume of sooty build-up that will be sloughed off the grate/andirons during scrubbing, you should ideally perform this step and Step 3 outdoors if possible. One thing stood out: There was a big soot streak in the middle of the fireplace surround. Manasa Reddigari, Bob Vila, How To: Make Your Own All-Natural Granite Cleaner, It’s Time to Oust These 13 Stressors Lurking in Your Home, 10 Cleaning Chores You Should Be Doing Every Week, 15 Handy Things You Can Do With Ashes from Your Fireplace. Dip the scrub brush into the solution and scrub the fireplace rigorously. It's messy, but it usually does the trick. Cleaning a limestone fireplace requires slightly different materials and a touch more delicacy. MATERIALS AND TOOLS Available on Amazon – Small bucket – Dish soap – Plain water – Wood stir stick – Gloves – Dust mask – Stiff-bristle scrub brush – Clean rags (2). Use a clean sponge to apply the paste in a thin layer to the offending stain, let it dwell for five minutes, and then scrub with a scrub brush. (the stiff brush part sounds like hard work-salt is not known for it’s cleaning ability) Formula 2: Rub mixture into brick surface with cloth; allow to dry at least ten minutes and remove with stiff brush. Apply it to the fireplace and hearth with the sponge. Use this procedure to protect living spaces surrounding your fireplace and pre-clean the firebox (the chamber where the fire burns) and fireplace surround prior to either a routine cleaning or deep cleaning. Use a scrub brush to scrub the stone gently and then wipe the cleaned areas with a damp rage to remove any excess TSP. Find the best local pros and compare multiple quotes for your chimney or fireplace project. Biggest Fireplace-Cleaning Challenges. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. This type of fireplace can be difficult to clean because of the porousness and irregular shape of the rocks. Clean marble hearths with warm distilled water and a microfibre cloth. Scrub it on with a scrub brush, let sit, rinse with warm water and rags. After donning gloves and a dust mask, use a small shovel to scoop up the remaining ashes from the firebox. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Make one to two passes over the surround with a clean water-dampened rag to remove the TSP solution. Step 2: Apply The Primer If you want to make sure your paint stays nice and bright even if you use your fireplace, then you will need to apply the primer. Place ashes in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid. To clean a stone fireplace, start by using a broom and dustpan to sweep up any ash and dust. Hey Mogie: A homemade cleaning recipe for stone that works well is to mix 1/2 to 1 cup of trisodium phosphate (TSP) with one gallon of hot water. Last Updated: October 4, 2020 An important part of knowing how to clean fireplace stone is removing tough stains that are resistant to scrubbing. A dustpan. You will need: A soft brush. If you seldom or never use your fireplace, you can wait until an eighth-inch-thick layer of build-up is present in the firebox before deep cleaning the fireplace. Saturate a clean scrub brush in the TSP wash, then scour the firebox from the top down, including the sidewalls, back wall, and floor, to eliminate creosote buildup. Mix one cup ammonia with one pound of finely ground pumice and water to create a thick paste. So I did a little searching on the Internet for how to clean fireplaces. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Dip a scrub brush in the mixture, then use it to clean the stones. I think that’s what happened to our fireplace. Let your fireplace cool for at least 12 hours before you start cleaning so you don t burn yourself. If you clean the stones when they are dry, the porous stone and grout may suck the newly liquefied dirt deeper into the stone and grout. You re going to use a lot of elbow grease on this project. There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Go over the grate/andirons with a water-dampened rag to remove the TSP solution, wipe them dry with a dry rag, then return indoors and set them aside on one of the drop cloths you earlier laid down to protect the floor. After donning gloves and a dust mask, dunk a clean scrub brush into the soap solution, then scrub down the fireplace surround from top to bottom to loosen trapped dirt and grit in the stone and grout. Clean the fireplace bricks as best as you can, and once you are sure that the bricks are clean and dry, you can start step 2. You can also make a paste by mixing a small amount of water with your trisodium phosphate, applying it directly to the stubborn spots, and scrubbing the area. Do a test clean with any cleaning solution you aren't familiar with. Mix one ounce of soap and one ounce of table salt with enough water to make a cream. The trick is to be gentle, and to use a slightly softer brush. Or, you can check these sites: Raymond Chiu is the Director of Operations for MaidSailors.com, a residential and commercial cleaning service based in New York City that provides home and office cleaning services at affordable prices. Next, spray the fireplace with water and wash it with an all purpose cleaner and sponge. A homemade cleaning recipe for stone that works well is to mix 1/2 to 1 cup of trisodium phosphate (TSP) with one gallon of hot water. 3. Soot is easily removed from fireplace bricks using a simple cleaning solution. You should first prepare the fireplace, do an initial cleaning, and then do a deep cleaning if necessary. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f0\/Clean-a-Stone-Fireplace-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-a-Stone-Fireplace-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f0\/Clean-a-Stone-Fireplace-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid8663279-v4-728px-Clean-a-Stone-Fireplace-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"

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