Update stone fireplace

Marcia donovan
by Marcia donovan
I have an old fireplace that is made of large stones. They are so old that they are dull and grimey. Any suggestions on how or what to do with it?
  5 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Oct 19, 2016
    Have you tried cleaning them?
    • Marcia donovan Marcia donovan on Oct 21, 2016
      Thank you, Yes I have tried cleaning them with a wire brush and just household cleaner. They don't look any better.
  • Jennifer | CrazyDiyMom Jennifer | CrazyDiyMom on Oct 19, 2016
    They do make a cleaner (also muriatic acid is suggested) just for cleaning stone that your local home improvement store should carry. When we bought our current home our fireplace was disgusting to say the least. I had read online to use the toilet bowl cleaner Scrubbing Bubbles on it (the one in the can that foams) and to scrub it with a scrub brush. It did work - cleaned up the grimey-ness and made the stones sort of sparkle again, but it still didn't help the appearance of our fireplace - ours was ugly colored stones. I ended up white washing the entire thing with white latex paint.
    • See 1 previous
    • Jennifer | CrazyDiyMom Jennifer | CrazyDiyMom on Oct 21, 2016
      The Scrubbing bubbles worked good, I was shocked! Our house is decorated more like a beach house so the fireplace just didn't "match" right. Just scrub and rinse - you should notice a difference!
  • William William on Oct 19, 2016
    I agree with CrazyDiyMom! Clean the tiles from dirt and grime. You can white wash them or use a sponge painting technique with different shades of paint.
  • Johnchip Johnchip on Oct 20, 2016
    I agree with the foaming cleaners and suggest using wire brush and go to town on it, don't be gentle! You want to refresh the stone's sparkle and specks and surface, it may giggle and glow.
  • Marcia donovan Marcia donovan on Oct 21, 2016
    I have tried cleaning them, they all just remained dull and grey. I do like your suggestion of sponge painting with different shades of paint. Thanks so much! I think I will try it!