Help!! How do I make this brick shine. Our house was built in 1885

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/give-sheen-indoor-brick-wall-37860.html

Polish with wood ashes

Go to a specialty stone or brick yard and talk to them.... they will be able to tell you what type(s) of sealer to use to both seal and shine them up... safely around the fire box.

This heater came into play many many years later. This is highly coveted "used brick" and was never meant to be shiny. If you want it shiny, you need to coat it (this is a flammable area), or remove and replace with polished tile or stone.

Be careful what you put on the brick - it's purpose is to shield the heat away from the walls and a chemical may ignite when you use the stove.

I like the rustic look of the brick with the fireplace. I would take off the brick mantle and redo it. I would also paint the walls an updated farmhouse color, like off white or gray and do shiplap or more brick on the walls from the brick up to the ceiling. You can add a new mantle like the one in the photo that I found.

I don’t know why you would want it shine. And a talented carpenter can make you a mantel.

I love it as is!

Use soapy water after first use vinegar hydrogen peroxide and baking soda it works for anything

Wow!! Thank you!!

Scrub the brick with TSP, starting at the top. Wear gloves and goggles. Use old towels at the bottom to sop up the water. Use a scrub brush. Let dry well then see what you think. I used this to clean mine, and it was remarkable. You cannot paint this brick. Get someone to build a "mantel" over the existing brick one. Get TSP at Home Depot or a paint store. (Trisodium Phosphate)

Thank you