Cleaning brick on a fireplace: How to Clean Fireplace Bricks: 9 Steps (with Pictures)

How to Clean a Brick Fireplace with Scrubbing Bubbles

If your fireplace’s brick facade is covered in soot stains and years of dirt, you probably want to know how to clean it up. Getting rid of discolorations, black marks, and the smoky smell is likely a top priority — but did you know that you can get it done with your typical scrubbing bubbles cleaner?

Source: thespruce.com

You may reach for the scrubbing bubbles when it is time to clean the tub, but it is also an excellent agent for getting rid of soot. The bubbles’ foaminess cuts through the residue on the bricks and is strong enough to get rid of the smoky smell. However, it is mild enough to clean the bricks and grout without discoloration.

Let’s look at how easy it is to clean your brick fireplace with scrubbing bubbles and explore exactly why this bathroom cleaner is up to the task.

Ready for our step-by-step process on how to clean a brick fireplace with scrubbing bubbles?

Which Scrubbing Bubbles Products Is Up to The Task?

Source: scrubbingbubbles. com

The active ingredients in scrubbing bubbles include:

Heida
Isobutane
Butoxydiglycol
Ammonium chloride
Quaternary
Citric acid

The combination of ingredients is highly effective at removing dirt and other deposits from the brick surface. Plus, the bottle the cleaner comes in makes for easy application.

So, which scrubbing bubbles product is best for cleaning your fireplace?

It mainly comes down to personal preference as the active ingredients are basically the same. You may want to choose a scent you prefer or the bottle shape that makes it easy to apply to your fireplace. However, if we had to narrow it down to a top choice, we’d pick the Scrubbing Bubble Mega Shower Foamer.

This formulation sticks well to the brick surface, and the canister allows for easy application.

Why Are Scrubbing Bubbles Products So Good For Fireplaces?

Foaming bathroom cleaners like Scrubbing Bubbles are meant for nonporous ceramic surfaces. However, this cleansing agent can have many other uses around the home, like removing stains, cleaning blinds, and getting into those crevices that aren’t always easy to reach. In addition, fireplace owners love how these foaming cleansers scrub their brick fireplaces.

The foaming spray targets limescale, soap scum, soot, and other kinds of grime, and it starts working on contact. Scrubbing Bubbles gives a thorough clean without leaving behind harsh smells. Some bottles have adjustable spray nozzles making them even more convenient to use.

Since soot and grime around your fireplace can be difficult to get off, you often want the cleaning agent to sit on the bricks for 15 or 20 minutes. Due to the formulation of scrubbing bubbles, it stays on the bricks in a way the non-foaming cleansers just can’t manage. Its staying power means less elbow grease on your part.

Cleaning your fireplace with Scrubbing Bubbles is fairly simple:

Step 1: Protect the Floor

Before you begin the cleaning process, you want to protect your floors around your hearth. Place towels on the floor underneath where you will be applying the Scrubbing Bubbles. The towels will absorb any product that drips and any soot that flakes off while you are cleaning.

Step 2: Rinse

Before applying the Scrubbing Bubbles, it is best to use a sponge or rag to wet the bricks with warm water. This will begin the process of loosening up the soot and grime.

Step 3: Spray it Down

Now that your bricks are wet, it is time to break out the Scrubbing Bubbles Coat the bricks in a thick layer of foam and allow it to sit for at least five minutes. If it has been awhile since you cleaned your fireplace, you may need to let it sit up to 20 minutes.

Step 4: Scrub

After the bubbles have had a chance to work their magic, it will be time to scrub. The smaller the brush that you use for scrubbing the more crevices you will be able to reach. If you really want to deep clean, you can use a toothbrush. (Pro tip: wear rubber gloves while scrubbing to keep from irritating your skin. )

Step 5: Rinse. Again.

Once you have scrubbed down the bricks, you will want to rinse them again. Using a bath towel soaked in warm water it a good way to rinse away the soot and grime.

Repeat the process until you reach the desired result.

If you are ready to try this, we suggest you order your Scrubbing Bubbles online and get them shipped straight to you.

Alternative Ways to Clean Brick Fireplace

Scrubbing Bubbles is a very effective method, but it isn’t the only way to clean your brick fireplace. Here are a couple of alternative ways to remove the black stains and soot:

Vinegar: For those that would like a more natural cleanser will find vinegar a good alternative to Scrubbing Bubbles. Instead of spaying all the bricks down at once, you will need to focus on small areas because the vinegar won’t stick the way the foaming cleanser does. Also, be prepared for the strong smell of vinegar to permeate the bricks for a short time.

Coca-Cola: If you have bricks that look quite burnt, using Coca-Cola is a great way to get clean — especially if they still look dark after your Scrubbing Bubbles application. Mix 1 liter of Coke, 1/2 cup of an all-purpose cleaner, and 1 gallon of water. Apply a sponge soaked with the cleaning solution to the bricks that need attention. Thoroughly soak the bricks with the solution for the best results.

Dawn: Another option for cleaning your brick fireplace without buying a special cleaning agent is to use Dawn dishsoap and coarse table salt. Use a 1:1 ratio of dish soap and salt to create an abrasive paste. Use your paste to scrub off the layers of soot and grime.

This method is better for small fireplaces or when you have individual bricks that need to be spot cleaned otherwise it will require a large amount of supplies.

Borax: Another cleansing agent that works well on soot is borax. Create a mixture with four cups of water, one tablespoon of dishsoap, and two tablespoons of borax. Using a sponge or brush, apply your borax mixture to the bricks and give them a good scrub. If you have a large brick area or very dirty bricks, you may need to double your cleaner recipe.

Editorial Contributors

Matt Greenfield

Matt Greenfield is an experienced writer specializing in home improvement topics. He has a passion for educating and empowering homeowners to make informed decisions about their properties. Matt’s writing focuses on a range of topics, including windows, flooring, HVAC, and construction materials.
With a background in construction and home renovation, Matt is well-versed in the latest trends and techniques in the industry. His articles offer practical advice and expert insights that help readers tackle their home improvement projects with confidence. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or a seasoned professional, Matt’s writing is sure to provide valuable guidance and inspiration.

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How to Clean a Dirty Brick Fireplace in Easy Steps

Fireplaces can get dirty quick. Smoke and soot accumulate naturally, and the nasty black stains and ashy residue can be especially hard to remove from your old brick fireplace. Cleaning brick fireplaces properly requires more care than you might think. If you’re not careful, you could damage or discolor fireplace brick. The following guidelines will help clean fireplace brick and transform you’re dirty old hearth into a clean fireplace easily and safely.

1. How to clean soot off brick fireplace

If you need to clean fireplace soot, you may need a different approach. For small areas, press light-colored children’s molding dough onto the brick and lift the soot stain away. It sounds crazy, but it works. Just be careful–you don’t want to pull off any surface material. Alternately, you could dip a scrub brush into a pan of full-strength white household vinegar. Scrub a small section at a time, working up. It may take a lot of elbow grease and several applications to remove all of the soot, so be prepared for a workout.

2. Bucket and Brush Hand Cleaning

This is probably the most popular but most misunderstood of all the methods used for cleaning brick masonry. Its popularity is due to the simplicity of execution and the ready availability of proprietary cleaning compounds.
To select the proper cleaning solution (proprietary compounds, detergents or acid solutions) follow the steps outlined below:

a. For proprietary compounds, make sure that the one selected is suitable for the cleaning bricks and follow the cleaning compound manufacturer’s recommended dilution instructions. Brick-Anew fireplace cleaner is specially formulating for just this purpose, unlike many commercial cleansers. Although these other cleaning solutions generally perform in a satisfactory manner, you should test each product being considered in an inconspicuous spot.

b. Detergent or soap solutions may be used to remove mud, dirt and soil accumulated during construction. A suggested solution is 1/2 cup dry measure (0. 14 L) of trisodium phosphate and 1/2 cup dry measure (0.14 L) of laundry detergent dissolved in one gallon (3.9 L) of clean water.

c. For acid solutions, mix a 10% solution of muriatic acid (9 parts clean water to 1 part acid) in a non-metallic container. Pour acid into water. Do not permit metal tools to contact the acid solution. There is the temptation to mix acid solutions stronger than recommended in order to clean stubborn stains. The indiscriminate use of any acid solution may tend to cause further stains.

Caution:
Improper or overzealous cleaning may damage even new brick. If your fireplace is old and crumbling, cleaning fireplace brick may cause damage. Test any cleaning material in an inconspicuous spot. To remove soot from brick that is not in good condition, mix a 50/50 solution of laundry bleach and water, pour into a spray bottle, spritz the bricks, then scrub with a soft-bristled brush. Rinse with water.

3. Painting Stained Brick Fireplace

Remember, not all brick cleaners are created equally, and sometimes the only option is to cover the ugly stained brick. Cleaning fireplace brick that is permanently stained, discolored, or damaged may not be worth the time and effort. Although many people are opposed to painting brick “on principle,” in reality this may be your best option for unsightly or ugly bricks. Fireplace paint has come a long way, and it’s now possible to paint over your fireplace while still keeping the look of real brick.

To tackle the toughest fireplace stains, try our Brick-Anew fireplace cleaner.
To cover up what can’t be cleaned and give your ugly old fireplace a makeover while still keeping the look of real brick, try our all-in-one Brick Fireplace Paint Kit.

3. Painting Stained Brick Fireplace

To tackle the toughest fireplace stains, try our Brick-Anew fireplace cleaner.
To cover up what can’t be cleaned and give your ugly old fireplace a makeover while still keeping the look of real brick, try our all-in-one Brick Fireplace Paint Kit.

Cleaning the fireplace from soot [Moscow and Moscow region] Price for cleaning fireplaces

Cleaning the fireplace chimney

Fireplace (from the Latin caminus – open hearth), is a type of heat generators running on solid fuel (wood).

It should be noted right away that a fireplace is not an effective means of heating a room; rather, it is an element of decor, a pleasant means of spending leisure time. The fireplace does not accumulate thermal energy and heats the room only at the time of burning firewood, then quickly cools down, and during the idle period, its chimney works as an exhaust ventilation duct.

For uninterrupted and long-term operation of the hearth and chimney, the hearth and chimney itself must be cleaned regularly, and to maintain an aesthetic appearance, glass and other exposed surfaces that are dirty must be cleaned.

During combustion, soot settles on the inner walls of the furnace and chimney, which not only spoils the appearance, but also contributes to its destruction; with large accumulations of soot, the joints and the brickwork itself can be destroyed. The consequences of a soot fire are more sad. After each fire, all ash residues must be removed from the fireplace, and once or twice a year, depending on the frequency of use, the fireplace and chimney must be completely cleaned.

Fireplace cleaning service price

Name of work	Unit	Price, rub ^*
Chimney cleaning	pcs	5000
Furnace cleaning	pcs	from 1000
Glass cleaner	pcs	from 1000 (one channel)
Cleaning exposed surfaces	pcs	based on inspection results

^* The indicated price does not include the cost of transportation

In the old days, the hearth firebox was cleaned with metal brushes and then with baking soda or turpentine, and the outer marble surfaces were cleaned with lemon halves wrapped in a cloth. To this day, there is a method of cleaning with furnace soot.

To perform the work, we use various methods, taking into account the type of finishing materials, including furnace black. Carefully remove soot from the glass and walls of the firebox. When cleaning rough rough surfaces, use a brush with medium bristles. To clean external surfaces, we select chemicals individually, taking into account the type of finishing materials. We clean the glass with a rough cloth using window cleaners, and in case of strong soot – with special alkali-based cleaners. Before cleaning the furnace, glass and external surfaces, it is mandatory to clean the chimney.

Cleaning procedure

before starting work, the fireplace must be heated and allowed to cool;
in the room, close all windows and doors so that there is no draft;
roll up the carpet and cover all the furniture so that soot particles do not get on it, or tightly seal the open part of the portal with tape;
lay a tarpaulin or disposable polyethylene cover around the firebox;
remove all loose objects from the hearth;
remove remaining coals and ash from the furnace;
clean the chimney;
clean the firebox with metal or plastic brushes (depending on the type of firebox);
evenly apply cleaning agents to the walls and let them soak in, then remove them with a dry or damp cloth, depending on the type of products used;
clean glass and external surfaces;
after completing all the work, make a control furnace.

Chimney cleaning

How to clean a fireplace chimney

The chimney must also be cleaned. Modern materials have significantly simplified this process, and if 10 years ago, a chimney sweep was required to go to the roof, today work can be done from the bottom up, using flexible rods that are gradually connected to each other. This is not only convenient, but clean, since soot, due to natural rarefaction, rushes up.

A beautiful fireplace is a decoration of the house!

Apply for fireplace cleaning

Service maintenance of stoves and fireplaces. Scheduled chimney cleaning, fireplace glass cleaning and soot removal. – Agon Kamin

LLC “AGON KAMIN”

8 (921) 373-55-26

Request a call

To all its customers AGON FIREPLACE offers service brick ovens , metal stoves, heating fireplaces and boilers (heating systems).

What is included in the service of fireplaces

	replacement of cracked bricks;
	mechanical cleaning of the internal channels of brick ovens;
	mechanical cleaning of the chimney riser of brick ovens;
	mechanical cleaning of modular chimneys of metal stoves and cassette fireplaces;
	dry cleaning of modular chimneys of metal stoves and cassette fireplaces and brick chimney channels;
	waterproofing test;
	cleaning of glass elements of doors of brick ovens and cassette fireplaces with specialized means;
	cleaning the furnace and removing soot with an air ash collector;
	applying heat-resistant grease to hinges, roof rails and other moving elements of fireplace inserts;
	checking the nodes of heating systems;

Concluding a contract for service maintenance of fireplaces saves the customer from searching for specialists and allows you to be sure that the heater or boiler room is working properly.

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in St. Petersburg turnkey

Installation of fireplaces
for home

Stoves and barbecues
made of bricks

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Feedback from our clients!

We have already ordered a fireplace from the guys, now we have ordered the installation of a sauna stove. After the departure of the specialist, there were no white spots left, everyone was thoroughly told, they offered an excellent option that they did not even know about. Mounted qualitatively, beautifully and the functionality is completely satisfied. Now I will order a brick barbecue in the gazebo, as a result I am already sure. I advise everyone! Sergey and Anna – 32 years old. p. Yuki

They made a heating cassette fireplace. The fireplace copes, even beyond the norm. I really liked that everything was at a high level. Consulting, supply, design and installation.