How to Remove Soot From a Brick Fireplace

How to Remove Soot From a Brick Fireplace
Published: Oct 4, 2010
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
1 minute read

Things You Will Need

  • Liquid soap
  • Salt
  • Sponge
  • Stiff-bristle brush
  • Spray bottle
  • All-purpose cleaner
  • Bucket
  • Cloth
  • Trisodium phosphate

Table Salt

  1. Mix 1 oz. of liquid soap with 1 oz. table salt. Place drops of water into the mixture until it forms a thick cream.

  2. Spread the salt mixture over the soot on the brick with a sponge. Allow the mixture to remain on the brick for 10 minutes.

  3. Scrub the brick with a wet, stiff bristle brush, removing the soot stains.

All-Purpose Cleaner

  1. Spray water onto the soot on the brick fireplace with a spray bottle.

  2. Mix 1/4 cup all purpose cleaner into a gallon of water.

  3. Dip a stiff bristle brush into the cleaning mixture and scrub the soot stains.

  4. Wet a clean cloth and wipe over the brick, removing the soot and soapy residue from the brick.

Trisodium Phosphate

  1. Fill a gallon bucket with hot water. Pour 1/2 cup of trisodium phosphate into the water and stir to dissolve.

  2. Wet a stiff bristle brush with the cleaning mixture. Apply the mixture to the soot on the brick, scrubbing the area clean.

  3. Rinse the soot and cleaning mixture from the brick with a sponge and warm water. This is an acid solution and can be harmful to skin and other objects.

Tips

Wear a painter's mask, eye protection and rubber gloves when working with trisodium phosphate, as it can burn the skin.

Warnings

Avoid using harsh chemicals on brick as it could damage the surface.

Photo Credits

Living Room image by Dawn from Fotolia.com

Living Room image by Dawn from Fotolia.com

Constance Barker

Constance Barker, located in the hills of southern Ohio, is the owner and writer of several financial, credit report and travel websites. She started writing in 1999 for private clients and began creating website content in 2004. She…

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