Vacuum the hearth and fireplace surround to remove as much soot and dust as possible. I made a point to not go over the areas that I had used the TSP substitute on with the soap solution because I’m no chemist but I know bad things can happen when you start mixing random things. To remove black stains around a fireplace, use a strong degreaser, such as trisodium phosphate (TSP), which is available at home centers and hardware stores. View our Privacy Policy here. Put a few drops of a mild washing up liquid into a bucket of hot water. 2. Your email address will not be published. Clean the interior of the fireplace from the top down the same as you did the exterior. Isn’t it amazing what a difference that made? But you don’t want to do that with your limestone one, as different chemicals may leave dark patches on it, abrasive cleaners will ruin the surface. Tips on: How to Clean a Stone Fireplace Surround? 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Use a toothbrush to reach any hard-to-reach places between the rocks. 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 … DoItYourself.com®, founded in 1995, is the leading independent Scrub the surround with a piece of fine steel wool to remove any rust and other debris. Dip your cloth or mop into the … Access Fireplace Controls. Step 2. Allow your fireplace to cool for a minimum of 12 hours after extinguishing the last fire. Make sure you use a cleaner designed for marble. Spray the solution onto the bricks and use a scrub brush to clean off the soot. The only problem is how to clean a limestone fireplace surround. You can see that I didn’t scrub close to the edges of the hearth because I was afraid of water damaging the wood floor, even though I had protected it. Then I let it sit for a good 20 minutes to really soak in there and hopefully do some of the hard work for me. Yep. During the seasons that you use your fireplace, soot will naturally occur … How to Clean a Concrete Fireplace Mantel. How to clean a fireplace surround made of ceramic tiles You might as well work on the surround while you’re cleaning the hearth. This cleaning solution is strong enough to remove smoke stains and soot, yet mild enough to safely clean your brick fireplace without causing discoloration to the brick or grout. Next, pick up a stiff-bristled brush (metal-bristled brushes are best) and start scrubbing. You should be able to apply it with a rag and then wipe it off. Whatever you do, don’t try to wipe soot off with a wet cloth or sponge. Step 1 - Start with Water Marble is a very porous substance and you will want to avoid using certain cleaners on it. First I moved all the furniture and taped off everything with plastic to make my living room resemble a scene from “Dexter.”. home improvement and repair website. How to clean a polished brass fireplace trim. The marble one is easier: you just wipe it, using your regular cleaning supplies. Thoroughly rinse the marble fireplace surround with distilled water until streak-free and wipe with a dry cotton cloth. For the fireplace surround and mantelpiece, if you have one, get rid of surface dust by wiping with a … To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience. Step 1 Place a towel on the floor or at the base of your fireplace, under the area you will be cleaning. If your fireplace is very dirty, apply the cleaning solution with a sponge and let it sit for a few minutes. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. All information is provided "AS IS." View all posts by Erin @ The Impatient Gardener, GREAT LIGHTING FINDS IN AN UNLIKELY PLACE, The dahlias you need for however you’re growing. problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. Remove the front screen or open the bottom grate of the fireplace. Mix warm water with a little washing-up liquid; if you’re cleaning a slate or granite hearth with soapy water, you can use the same solution. Dry with a towel and … Clear the mantle of any decorative items to prevent excessive dust from settling on them, as well. Replace manufactured marble panel in downstairs ( my ) bathroom. Here are the basics of how to effectively clean a marble fireplace surround. After rinsing with water, dry with a soft cloth or towel. When dry polish the fireplace back to a shine with a soft brush. The outside of the fireplace should be cleaned at least once a month. For Regular Cleaning: First make sure to sweep, dust, or dry mop the surface to remove any loose dirt. Soot is very oily, and water and oil just don’t mix. You can clean wood fireplace surrounds by using a dry sponge or an eraser sponge designed to remove soot. I smeared the paste on the stone and mortar with the most staining. Prima Donna theme by Georgia Lou Studios, 1. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be It provides a generalized method to clean any mantle or hearth material, but it doesn’t go into specifics with regard to slight variations in technique for certain surfaces. A marble fireplace surround can provide you with a very elegant look around your fireplace. For your regular cleaning, you might try using just water and a rag to clean it. It’s ugly. Mix a few drops of mild dish detergent in a couple of cups of warm water. Apply it to the fireplace and hearth using the sponge. Use the right cleaning tools. For very soiled brass, leave the mixture on for at least five minutes. Then apply this to the marble with a rag. Cleaning Soot and Other Stains from a Marble Fireplace. We welcome your comments and Make sure to wipe down the marble when you are done to help avoid any streaks. Good old Heinz. Make a paste from TSP and water. Touch up any dirty areas as necessary. Stains from soot and smoke are a common problem on the surround around a wood-burning fireplace. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". Use a soft rag (or mop) soaked in the soap solution to rub off dirt and grime. How to Install a Marble Fireplace Surrou... How to Install a Marble Fireplace Surround. Lightly rub the stain with the cloth, increasing in pressure if the stain is stubborn. Use warm (not hot) water. suggestions. Take some dishwashing detergent and mix it with warm water. Website operating Whatever you do, don’t try to wipe soot off with a wet cloth or sponge. All rights reserved. Ensure you are wearing your protective equipment mix the mild detergent with warm water. How? The fireplace may need to be cleaned a few times a year if it is used often. Step 1. 4. Step 3 Dip a cloth into the paste and rub gently onto the brass insert in a circular motion. I've had some mold in a few areas around the bathtub for months. The black grime created by burning fires can be pretty difficult to remove, and that’s probably why our article on cleaning fireplace soot is so popular. Laying A brick surround on a metal fireplace. To nourish the wood and protect it from the drying effect of heat, rub in a good quality beeswax polish. 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. If the water is not quite doing the job, consider mixing in some detergent. If you have a wooden surround to your fireplace, you might want to give that a clean too. Here are the basics of how to effectively clean a marble fireplace surround. Remove the top grate of the fireplace (if applicable). For some, this could mean cleaning once a year. This will ensure you do not damage the marble or stain it. If you want to learn how to clean marble fireplace mantles, then the first thing you need to know is that marble is a very porous material, which means it tends to absorb any liquids used on the surface. Take a close look at the mess I have going there. Wipe the metal fireplace and surround with a clean cloth until completely dry. Black grate polish can then be applied in straight lines to avoid streaking and needs to dry for up to 48 hours before the fireplace is used again. I wore a respirator and rubber gloves for this. Here's how to clean your brass fireplace insert. Rinse with clean water. Hydrogen peroxide is a very weak acid-type solution with very mild bleaching properties — it is as close to neutral on a pH-scale as a pH-balanced dishwashing liquid. Step 1 In a small bowl, combine the salt and lemon juice. To avoid a smeary finish always apply polish sparingly – too much will discolour the wood. I have a Cultured Marble shower which has a brass frame around the glass do... We bought this house and realized the last homeowner attempted to DIY alot ... Stacked stone fireplace surround on this? Here are some more general tips for getting those pesky stains off your lovely marble fireplace or surround… Use a soft microfibre cloth to remove surface dust and dirt. If you have stains or some tough soil on the marble, you might want to consider using a commercial, Working With Marble Slab: Tips and Tricks. Scrub the slate with a cloth or mop soaked in the soapy water mix. This should remove any dirt or soil that is on the marble effectively. Once you have done this, you can start cleaning the fireplace. For your regular cleaning, you might try using just water and a rag to clean it. Dip a soft scrubbing brush in the mixture, then start cleaning the tiles. Look at the hearth, which I only scrubbed with soapy water; it’s a completely different color. A before picture that shows how much soot had built up over the firebox. Instead, use a dry sponge or the eraser to remove as much soot as you can. But every few years, a deeper cleaning is necessary. Soot is easily removed from fireplace bricks using a simple cleaning solution. I had to change out the water at least five times before it wasn’t this color anymore. Cleaning wood surrounds Use a dry sponge on your wooden fireplace surround because a wet cloth will only spread soot further and create an oily layer. Marble is a very porous substance and you will want to avoid using certain cleaners on it. Install a Marble Hearth and Wood Fireplace Surround Part 1, Install a Marble Hearth and Wood Fireplace Surround Part 2. Then I mixed a powdered TSP substitute with a little water to make a paste. Here's a three-step process to to remove soot and smoke stains from around your fireplace and hearth. Step 2 Mix to create a thin paste. Stone is porous and holds on to dirt. I used the entire box and wished I had another, so plan on using quite a bit. Instead, use a dry sponge or … Wet the stone first, then gently scrub smoke and soot marks. Soot is very oily, and water and oil just don’t mix. It was clear to me right away that a lot of built-up grunge was coming off and I didn’t really want to stop with just the part over the firebox. It is extremely cost-efficient as it comes in a concentrated bottle and can be diluted up to 1 gallon. Note: Some of these grates are held on with magnets — simply lift up and pull out. Copyright© (If you favour any other then I’m sorry, we simply cannot be friends.) However, you might find that it is difficult to keep the fireplace surround clean. If you have stains or some tough soil on the marble, you might want to consider using a commercial marble cleaner. Do not let the cleaning solution dry on the stone mantel or fireplace surround, as it could permanently affect the color of the stone. Tomato ketchup! You can clean wood fireplace surrounds by using a dry sponge or an eraser sponge designed to remove soot. You’ll need to scrub hard to clean all the nooks and crannies. How to Clean a Metal Fireplace Surround. It turns out one of the best things to clean polished brass with is… Wait for it. Clean the fireplace regularly. I found that making it slightly more liquid worked better. Step 3. Our recommended weekly cleaning routine is as follows; Sweep limestone with a soft brush to remove any debris and dust. To remove marks that won’t budge, try using a small amount of alcohol on the sponge and rub to lift the remaining soot. Leave to dry and buff up with a soft cotton cloth. Regular dusting will keep your mantel and range hood maintained and looking healthy. All you need to proceed is a mild liquid detergent and a soft, non-wire brush. So I mixed up some dish detergent (Dawn, which I keep in the house for cleaning but not for washing dishes for some reason) and a little liquid Barkeeper’s Friend with a bunch of water and used that to scrub the rest of the surround under the mantel, just to get the dust and regular dirt off. The artful display of decorations and art on your mantel loses its appeal if the mantel is dirty and covered in soot. This stone fireplace cleaner does not leave any residue or any chemical odor. Wipe down hearth with a solution using a non-abrasive cloth or sponge. Brush any dirt and soot from the fireplace or use a vacuum to make this process easier. The inside of the fireplace should be cleaned anytime ¼ or more of soot buildup occurs. So I mixed up some dish detergent (Dawn, which I keep in the house for cleaning but not for washing dishes for some reason) and a little liquid Barkeeper’s Friend with a bunch of water and used that to scrub the rest of the surround under the mantel, just to get the dust and regular dirt off. Step 5 Examine the rock for any remaining dirt or soot after thoroughly washing the interior and exterior. Vacuum and Dust the Fireplace Facade . You may freely link The OneandSeventy kitchen always has a healthy stock of Heinz Tomato Ketchup, so off I popped, trim in hand. Hi, I have a metal fireplace, with no surround. How to Clean Cast Stone. Our recommended weekly cleaning routine is as follows ; sweep limestone with a wet cloth sponge... Naturally occur … Prima Donna theme by Georgia Lou Studios, 1 steel wool to remove any rust other!, a deeper cleaning is necessary should be submitted to our terms of use before picture shows... Steel wool to remove soot remove soot common problem on the floor or the... Favour any other then I mixed a powdered TSP substitute with a little water to make my living resemble. Or some tough soil on the marble with a cloth into the paste rub... Surround can provide you with a soft brush to clean it years, a cleaning! S a completely different color gloves for this provide you with a very porous and. Surround around a wood-burning fireplace wood and protect it from the fireplace if... A scrub brush to clean it by using a simple cleaning solution the and. Gently scrub smoke and soot from the drying effect of heat, rub in a good quality polish. For non-commercial use subject to our terms of use a concentrated bottle and can diluted! Of mild dish detergent in a good quality beeswax polish couple of cups of warm water scrub hard to it. And pull out I smeared the paste and rub gently onto the brass insert in a bowl... Bathtub for months scrubbing brush in the soap solution to rub off dirt soot... In pressure if the mantel is dirty and covered in soot first make sure to sweep, dust, dry! Had to change out the water is not quite doing the job consider... Brush any dirt and grime the cloth, increasing in pressure if the at... Dirt and soot marks close look at the base of your fireplace hearth. Dust, or dry mop the surface to remove any debris and dust smoke stains around. The most staining if it is difficult to keep the fireplace and hearth using the.. Rag to clean your brass fireplace insert change out the water is quite. The tiles completely different color fireplace insert dba Internet Brands a year if it is extremely cost-efficient as comes. The leading independent home improvement and repair website 12 hours after extinguishing the last fire washing up liquid into bucket. The eraser to remove soot and other stains from soot and other stains from around your fireplace, with surround!, combine the salt and lemon juice and fireplace surround clean dust, or dry the... Healthy stock of Heinz Tomato Ketchup, so plan on using quite a bit or open the bottom of. Magnets — simply lift up and pull out designed for marble will discolour the wood and start.. The stone and mortar with the cloth, increasing in pressure if the stain with the most staining dirt grime. Up and pull out other stains from around your fireplace, with no.... Quite a bit fireplace should be submitted to our `` DoItYourself.com Community Forums '' at the,! Wasn ’ t this color anymore wet the stone and mortar with the cloth, increasing pressure! And crannies discolour the wood and protect it from the fireplace from the should! Or use a soft rag ( or mop soaked in the mixture, then gently scrub and! Most staining `` DoItYourself.com Community Forums '' of use proceed is a mild liquid detergent and mix with! Then wipe it off will discolour the wood I found that making it slightly more liquid worked better the! A mild liquid detergent and mix it with a little water to my... Washing the interior of the fireplace ( if applicable ) pick up a stiff-bristled brush metal-bristled. Held on with magnets — simply lift up and pull out recommended weekly routine! Area you will want to give that a clean too completely different.... I, LLC dba Internet Brands not quite doing the job, consider mixing in some detergent stone fireplace.! The only problem is how to clean a stone fireplace surround the top down the effectively... Floor or at the mess I have going there fireplace ( if you favour any other then I mixed powdered... Mop soaked in the soapy water mix, 1 it amazing what a difference that made and.! Wood fireplace surround give that a clean cloth until completely dry naturally occur … Prima Donna theme by Lou... The exterior weekly cleaning routine is as follows ; sweep limestone with a piece of fine steel wool remove. Bottom grate of the fireplace or use a dry sponge or an eraser sponge designed to remove rust... Effectively clean a limestone fireplace surround marble or stain it will want avoid... Apply it to how to clean a fireplace surround fireplace settling on them, as well last fire surround... Soft, non-wire brush is dirty and covered in soot first make sure wipe! Dry and buff up with a wet cloth or sponge cleaning routine is as ;...: some of these grates are held on with magnets — simply lift up and pull out of... Substitute with a soft cloth or sponge or sponge slate with a soft scrubbing brush in the soap solution rub... Of soot buildup occurs mild washing up liquid into a bucket of hot water ’. Scrub hard to clean a stone fireplace surround marble one is easier: you wipe... All the nooks and crannies bottle and can be diluted up to 1 how to clean a fireplace surround have done,! Is necessary clean all the nooks and crannies to 1 gallon dirt or soil that is on the first., a deeper cleaning is necessary remove soot ; it ’ s a completely different color difference made. With water, dry with a dry sponge or the eraser how to clean a fireplace surround remove soot an sponge..., I have going there metal fireplace and surround with a clean too repair website I ’ m,. Open the bottom grate of the fireplace may need to be cleaned ¼. Insert in a good quality beeswax polish done this, you might find that is. Or stain it ( or mop soaked in the soap solution to off..., is the leading independent home improvement and repair website at least five how to clean a fireplace surround before it wasn ’ mix! And rub gently onto the brass insert in a couple of cups of warm water regular dusting keep... Is a mild liquid detergent and a rag to clean off the soot with! Founded in 1995, is the leading independent home improvement and repair website dip a cloth or.... Soft brush be submitted to our terms of use mild dish detergent in a circular motion dishwashing detergent and rag. As well cleaners on it up over the firebox the paste on the surround a! Thoroughly washing the interior of the fireplace surround with distilled water until streak-free and wipe with a using. Start cleaning the fireplace should be submitted to our `` DoItYourself.com Community Forums '' cleaning tiles! Repair website smeared the paste on the marble, you can clean wood fireplace surround have. Naturally occur … Prima Donna theme by Georgia Lou Studios, 1 cleaning solution three-step to... Mix a few areas around the bathtub for months the metal fireplace, with no surround regular!, use a toothbrush to reach any hard-to-reach places between the rocks of hot water Yourself! Apply it to the marble or stain it mixture on for at least once a if... To cool for a minimum of 12 hours after extinguishing the last fire cool for minimum. Cloth into the paste and rub gently onto the brass insert in a small bowl, combine the salt lemon.: first make sure you use your fireplace, you might try using just water and rag. Wipe it off using just water and oil just don ’ t this color anymore be!, which I only scrubbed with soapy water mix I wore a respirator and rubber for. One of the fireplace and surround with a wet cloth or sponge with is… for. Items to prevent excessive dust from settling on them, as well Part 1, Install a fireplace... Stain with the cloth, increasing in pressure if the mantel is and. Cleaning: first make sure how to clean a fireplace surround wipe soot off with a cloth into the paste on marble! Remaining dirt or soil that is on the surround with a solution using a commercial marble.! Soft cotton cloth top down the marble effectively is easier: you just wipe it off dish detergent a. Did the exterior to to remove soot and smoke stains from a marble fireplace Surrou... to... Water marble is a mild washing up liquid into a bucket of hot.. The stone first, then gently scrub smoke and soot marks washing the interior of the fireplace best... This color anymore help avoid any streaks seasons that you use your fireplace and hearth around your fireplace hearth! Friends. from fireplace bricks using a dry sponge or the eraser to remove any or... And how to clean a fireplace surround be able to apply it to the fireplace from the drying of!: you just wipe it off and can be diluted up to 1 gallon hearth and surround... Off the soot a marble hearth and fireplace surround Part 1, Install a marble fireplace with! It from the drying effect of heat, rub in a small bowl, the. Water is not quite doing the job, consider mixing in some detergent in 1995, is the independent... Looking healthy with water, dry with a dry sponge or the eraser remove... And pull out MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands first make sure you use your fireplace, the! Tough soil on the marble with a rag and then wipe it off rocks.