Cleaning Fireplaces


Cleaning FireplacesTraditional fireplaces still remain a popular focal point for many family homes. Fireplaces can become unclean all too easily with regular use. A well kept fireplace can be an attractive feature of your home. Below, we have compiled a list of solutions for keeping your fireplace clean.

Because of the caustic nature of some of the products used make sure to protect your hands by wearing rubber gloves. Also take care if you have an old fireplace as some of the bricks may have softened from prolonged exposure to heat. If this is the case then try one of the solutions on the corner of a brick first to see if it can withstand heavy brushing. If the corner starts to crumble or weaken then it is probably best to just dust or sweep the surfaces clean instead.

~Take an ounce of soap and an ounce of table salt and mix together with a little water until the solution has a cream like consistency. Rub the solution onto the surface of the bricks around your fireplace using an ordinary cloth. Leave the solution to settle for 10-15 minutes and then brush away using a hard handled brush.

~Take some soap or detergent and add pumice and a small amount of ammonia. Mix the ingredients with hot water to create a thick solution. Apply the solution to the surface of the bricks (using a paint brush is probably easiest) and leave for a few minutes to dry. Remove the solution using a damp scrubbing brush and enjoy the results.

~Take some shavings from a bar of naptha soap and mix with 3 litres of water. Boil the solution until the soap has melted and leave to stand until cooled. Add half a kilogram of pumice and a cupful of ammonia and mix well into the solution. Apply the solution to any sooty areas and leave to stand for approximately an hour. Remove the solution using a hard bristled brush and rinse any residue left behind with warm (not hot) water. If marks are still visible rinse the surface with detergent before rinsing with more warm water.

~Take 8 tablespoons of trisodium phosphate (available from hardware stores) and add to 3 ½ litres of hot water. Take care when handling this mix as it is extremely powerful. Apply the solution to a scrubbing brush and brush onto the surface of the bricks. Leave to stand for a few minutes before rinsing away with lots of warm water. If the marks are not completely removed then repeat as necessary. More trisodium phosphate can be added but it is strongly recommended not to exceed a cupful for each 3 ½ litres.