Concrete fireplace mantle
by
Pamela P
+2
How can I clean a dirty fireplace mantle, and also the soot covered fireplace opening?
4 answers
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Try Purple Power. I believe you can find it in the auto section at Walmart and also at automotive stores. I used this on my 1 1/2 yr. old son's shirt after he stuck his arm up a pickup tailpipe. Took all that black soot right off! I use it straight out of the bottle, full strength.
HappyDesertMommy
on Nov 27, 2014
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Guidelines how to clean fireplace brick Soot 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. 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: 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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. Painting Stained Brick Remember, not all brick cleaners are created equally, and sometimes the only option is cover the ugly stained brick. Cleaning fireplace brick that is permanently stained, discolored, or damaged may not be worth the time and effort. Another option is painting the fireplace brick. Although many people are opposed to painting brick “on principle,” in reality this may be your best option for unsightly or ugly bricks. http://www.brick-anew.com/cleaning-brick-fireplaces.html Here is the link. I am not promoting any products but I believe in giving credit where credit is due.
Sherrie
on Nov 30, 2014
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We painted the inside of our fireplace black with spray paint. Looks much better that streaked colors that fires causes.
Shirley H
on Nov 30, 2014
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I use a handheld steamer, gets the dirt and soot right off, make sure you put a drop cloth on the bottom.
Lola
on Nov 04, 2015
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