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Cleaner for stone fireplace


How to Clean a Stone Fireplace

Category: Fireplaces | Published: 10 May, 2017

Here at ELB, we’ve been in the fireplace trade for over 30 years, and in those three decades we’ve been asked a real plethora of questions ranging from the short and sweet to the downright bizarre.

In this series, we’re going to put together a list of the most common questions that we’ve been asked over the years, so that you can pick the brains of a fireplace expert.

First up, we’re going to talk about cleaning stone fireplaces. Now stone may seem like one of the toughest materials in the world, and by all intents and purposes it is, but it does actually have a porous surface that can be weakened over time if the wrong cleaning products are used.

How to clean stone fireplace mantel

Before you begin cleaning your stone fireplace mantel, it’s a good idea to lay tarp or plastic on the floor, in front of the hearth, to protect your floor against any cleaning solution that may be spilled.

What you’ll need for your stone fireplace cleaner:

The key to mixing a good stone fireplace cleaner is to keep it simple – forget about anything too strong. You want to gently wipe away any soot or dirt from your fireplace, not strip it of any character! To make your cleaning solution, simply mix 3 parts water to 1 part liquid dishwashing detergent and mix well.

If you have a stubborn stain that just won’t budge, try a hydrochloric acid solution. To make this mix 10 parts water to 1 part hydrochloric acid, and mix with a bit of the dishwashing detergent. It’s absolutely vital that you wear protective gloves at all times whilst using the acid solution, and rinse off immediately with water after you’ve cleaned the stain off to avoid any discolouration.

To clean your stone fireplace mantel, it’s important to pre-soak the area first with a sponge. This will help to prevent the occurrence of any etching or scraping during the cleaning process.

Once you’ve pre-soaked the area, dip your brush into your stone fireplace cleaner and gently scrub the area. Once you are satisfied, quickly soak off the cleaning solution with warm water. Never let the solution dry on the stone.

Top Tip: cleaning soot from stone fireplace can be tough in those hard to reach areas. To make this easier, use an old toothbrush to get into all the nooks and crannies.

How to clean stone fireplace hearth

Before you mix your stone fireplace hearth cleaning solution, be sure to vacuum the hearth to get rid of any dirt particles that could get in the way.

Also: be sure to cover the area around the hearth with old newspapers to protect your floor from any splashback.

What you’ll need for your stone fireplace hearth cleaner:

Mix your stone fireplace hearth cleaner ingredients together in your bucket and apply the cleaner to your fireplace hearth, with rubber gloves on your hands. When cleaning your stone fireplace hearth, it’s important to leave the solution for ten minutes so that it sets.

After ten minutes, remove the solution using a brillo pad and use a toothbrush to get the dirt out of any difficult to reach areas. Once you’ve removed any dirt, rinse the hearth thoroughly with clean water.

 

For more info on looking after your stone fireplace, or to enquire about getting your dream fireplace fitted, contact a member of our friendly team today.

 

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How to Clean a Stone Fireplace (Homeowner's Guide)

Photo: istockphoto.com

Dust and dirt may go undetected on the lighter patina of stone fireplaces compared with brick, but your fireplace must still be cleaned regularly. Microscopic pits found on the surface of natural stone such as granite, limestone, or slate collect their fair share of dust, dirt, soot, and creosote—a dark brown condensation of the by-products of fire (e. g., smoke or vapor) that can lead to chimney fires. Eliminating these accumulations on an ongoing basis—a relatively easy and inexpensive task—is the best way to maintain the beauty, efficiency, and safety of your hearth. So read on to learn how to clean a stone fireplace (as well as deep-clean it, as necessary) using supplies you already have at home.

Always start with some fireplace preparation.

Use this procedure to protect living spaces surrounding your fireplace and pre-clean the firebox (the chamber where the fire burns) and fireplace surround prior to either a routine cleaning or deep cleaning.

MATERIALS AND TOOLS Available on Amazon
– Drop cloths
– Plastic tarp
– Small shovel (15 to 30 inches long)
– Metal container
– Gloves
– Dust mask
– Plain water
– Vacuum cleaner with brush attachment

STEP 1

Allow your fireplace to cool for a minimum of 12 hours after extinguishing the last fire. Then lay drop cloths on the floor around the fireplace and a tarp over nearby furniture to protect them from cleaning fluids and airborne dust.

STEP 2

After donning gloves and a dust mask, use a small shovel to scoop up the remaining ashes from the firebox. Place ashes in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid. Fill the container with plain cold water, close the lid, then store it outside the home away from other flammable materials until you’re ready to discard them.

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STEP 3

Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to siphon dust from the fireplace surround, moving from the top to the bottom. This will reduce accumulations on the stone surface and speed up your cleaning.

Photo: istockphoto.com

Follow up your fireplace preparation with routine cleaning.

During seasons of regular use, go through these steps for how to clean a stone fireplace on a weekly basis to remove light to moderate accumulations of soot, dirt, and grit that collect on the fireplace surround with each cozy night by the fire.

MATERIALS AND TOOLS Available on Amazon
– Small bucket
– Dish soap
– Plain water
– Wood stir stick
– Gloves
– Dust mask
– Stiff-bristle scrub brush
– Clean rags (2)

STEP 1

In a small bucket, dilute a quarter-cup of dish soap in a quart of hot but not scalding water. (The emulsifying agents in soap are all you need to clean a fireplace that’s not heavily coated with soot). Stir with a wood stir stick until the soap has dissolved.

STEP 2

After donning gloves and a dust mask, dunk a clean scrub brush into the soap solution, then scrub down the fireplace surround from top to bottom to loosen trapped dirt and grit in the stone and grout.

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STEP 3

Empty the bucket of soapy water and replace it with fresh cold water. Saturate a clean rag in the water, then make one to two passes over the fireplace surround with the wet rag to wipe away soap suds and any loosened dirt.

STEP 4

Dab the fireplace surround dry with a dry rag, then let the fireplace surround air-dry completely before igniting your next fire.

Photo: istockphoto.com

Once a season, or as necessary, do a deeper clean.

Heavy or hard-to-remove deposits of dirt, soot, and stains on the fireplace surround that are formed due to a lack of routine cleaning or persistent use after routine cleaning will warrant more powerful cleaning agents. Deep cleaning should certainly be done before the first fire of each season you intend to use the fireplace (e.g., winter or fall) in order to eliminate creosote build-up in the firebox from prior fires. If you seldom or never use your fireplace, you can wait until an eighth-inch-thick layer of build-up is present in the firebox before deep cleaning the fireplace. Follow this procedure to deep clean the fireplace surround and firebox of your stone fireplace.

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MATERIALS AND TOOLS Available on Amazon
– Gloves
– Safety goggles
– Respirator
– Trisodium phosphate (TSP) powder
– Plain water
– Gallon-size bucket
– Wood stir sticks (2)
– Stiff-bristle scrub brushes (5)
– Clean rags (4)
– Hand vacuum or traditional vacuum with hose attachment
– Soft sponges (2)

STEP 1

After donning protective gear (including an old long-sleeved shirt and pants to protect your skin from TSP), combine a half-cup of TSP and three quarts of hot (not scalding) water in a gallon-size bucket and stir with a stick. TSP works as both a degreaser and heavy-duty cleaner, making it more effective than soap alone in eliminating stubborn smoke stains and creosote.

STEP 2

To clean the fireplace grate and/or andirons (rails used to support logs), remove the grate/andirons from the firebox, then dunk a scrub brush in the TSP solution and gently scrub down the grate/andirons. Because of the high volume of sooty build-up that will be sloughed off the grate/andirons during scrubbing, you should ideally perform this step and Step 3 outdoors if possible.

STEP 3

Go over the grate/andirons with a water-dampened rag to remove the TSP solution, wipe them dry with a dry rag, then return indoors and set them aside on one of the drop cloths you earlier laid down to protect the floor.

STEP 4

Scrub the sidewalls, back wall, and floor of the firebox (from the top down on walls and from back to front on the firebox floor) with a dry scrub brush to loosen dirt and soot.

Photo: istockphoto.com

STEP 5

Use a hand vacuum or a vacuum hose to siphon the debris that settled onto the firebox floor during scrubbing.

STEP 6

Saturate a clean scrub brush in the TSP wash, then scour the firebox from the top down, including the sidewalls, back wall, and floor, to eliminate creosote buildup.

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STEP 7

Wipe the cleaned areas of the firebox with a water-dampened rag to remove the TSP solution, then dry these areas with dry rags and return the grate/andirons to the firebox.

STEP 8

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 the grout. Let the solution dwell for five minutes.

STEP 9

Use a scrub brush to scrub down the fireplace surround from top to bottom to loosen dirt and soot.

STEP 10

Make one to two passes over the surround with a clean water-dampened rag to remove the TSP solution.

STEP 11

If stubborn stains persist on the fireplace surround, create a more highly concentrated TSP paste by combining once ounce of TSP with one cup of water in a small bowl, mixing with a wooden stir stick.

STEP 12

Use a clean sponge to apply the paste in a thin layer to the offending stain, let it dwell for five minutes, and then scrub with a scrub brush.

STEP 13

Wipe the stained area with a water-dampened rag until the paste has been removed. Dab the fireplace surround dry with the fresh rag, then let the fireplace surround air-dry completely before igniting your next fire.

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Do-It-Yourself Fireplace Cleaning Portal

The stone looks impenetrable, but it actually has a porous surface that can be weakened by using the wrong cleaning products. Strong acid-based cleaners applied directly to cast or natural stone fireplaces and mantels can erode their surface and cause permanent damage. For tougher stains, use milder solutions. A mixture of liquid dishwashing detergent and water is sufficient to remove normal household stains. Products that safely clean concrete or masonry are also suitable for stone fireplaces and mantels.

Preparing the work area

Protect the walls and floor around the stone fireplace before starting work. Apply painter's tape to the wall around the fireplace to protect painted or wood surfaces from splashes. Lay a tarp or plastic sheet on the floor or hearth in front of the fireplace where the surface may come into contact with the cleaning solution.

Accessories and cleaning solution

Take a gallon pail, a soft-bristled brush, liquid dishwashing detergent, and a bucket or bowl to mix the cleaning solution. Mix 3 parts water with 1 part mild dishwashing detergent, or follow the directions on the label for a concrete or stone cleaner. For tough stains, mix 10 parts water with 1 part hydrochloric acid and a few drops of liquid dish soap. Hydrochloric acid can be purchased at hardware stores, pool stores, and home improvement stores. Wear gloves when handling a weak acid solution and rinse immediately after cleaning to avoid discolouration of the stone.

Wet the fireplace with water

To avoid etching or burning the surface of the fireplace with an acid-water mixture, moisten it first. Wet the stone fireplace liberally with warm water using a sponge. During operation, make sure that the stones or bricks under the fireplace remain wet with water or protected from splashes of cleaning solution.

Fireplace Cleaning

Soft bristle brush dipped in cleaning agent gently removes dirt, soot and earth. Gently rub the area and rinse immediately with clean water. Do not allow the cleaning solution to dry on the stone mantel or fireplace mantel as this can permanently ruin the color of the stone. After rinsing with water, dry with a soft cloth or towel. Use a toothbrush to remove stubborn dirt from hard-to-reach corners or parts.

Finishing and sealing

If you are new to masonry, do not use hydrochloric acid in the cleaning solution as it may leach materials onto the surface of the stone, etch the surface, or leave burn marks or stains. After cleaning the stone fireplace, apply a sealer designed for stone products to prevent stains between cleanings. Before applying the sealant, the stone fireplace must be thoroughly dried.

How to clean a stone fireplace

Dust and dirt can go unnoticed on the lighter patina of stone fireplaces compared to brick fireplaces, but your fireplace still needs to be cleaned regularly. Microscopic pits found on the surface of natural stone such as granite, limestone, or slate collect a significant amount of dust, dirt, soot, and creosote, the dark brown condensation of fire by-products (such as smoke or steam) that can lead to fires in fireplaces. .

Removing these deposits on a permanent basis is a relatively easy and inexpensive task and is the best way to keep your hearth beautiful, efficient and safe. So read on to find out how to clean a stone fireplace (and deep clean it if necessary) using the materials you already have at home.

Always start by preparing the fireplace.

Use this procedure to protect the living areas surrounding your fireplace and pre-clean the firebox (chamber in which the fire burns) and the fireplace surround before cleaning or deep cleaning.

Materials and tools for pre-cleaning the fireplace:

  1. Drip cloths
  2. Polyethylene film
  3. Small shovel
  4. Metal container
  5. Gloves
  6. Dust mask
  7. Plain water
  8. Vacuum cleaner with brush attachment

Step 1

Allow the fireplace to cool down for at least 12 hours after the last fire has been extinguished. Then place rags and plastic sheeting over nearby furniture on the floor around the fireplace to protect them from cleaning agents and airborne dust.

Step 2

Wearing gloves and a respirator, use a small spatula to scoop up the remaining ash from the firebox. Place the ashes in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid. Fill the container with plain cold water, close the lid, then store it outside of the house away from other combustible materials until you're ready to throw it away.

Step 3

Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to suck dust from the chimney from top to bottom. This will reduce buildup on the surface of the stone and speed up cleaning.

During seasons of regular use, follow these steps to clean your stone fireplace weekly to remove the light to moderate buildup of soot, dirt and grit that collects on the fireplace.

Materials and tools for weekly cleaning of the fireplace:

  1. Small bucket
  2. Dish soap
  3. Plain water
  4. Wooden stirrer
  5. Gloves
  6. Dust mask
  7. Scrub brush with stiff bristles
  8. Clean rags

Step 1

In a small bucket, dilute 1/4 cup of dish soap in 1 liter of hot, but not scalding, water. (Soap emulsifiers are all you need to clean a fireplace that isn't heavily sooted.) Stir with a wooden stick until the soap has dissolved.

Step 2

Wearing gloves and a respirator, dip a clean brush into the soapy solution, then run it over the fireplace, from top to bottom, to loosen trapped dirt and sand in the stone and grout.

Step 3

Empty the bucket of soapy water and replace it with fresh cold water. Wet a clean rag in water, then make one or two passes over the fireplace, wipe with a damp cloth, all soap suds and any loosened dirt.

Step 4

Blot the fireplace dry with a dry cloth, then allow the fireplace to dry completely before lighting the next fire.

Once a season, or as needed, deep clean.

Heavy or stubborn deposits of dirt, soot and stains on the fireplace, which are formed due to lack of regular cleaning or constant use after normal cleaning, will require more powerful cleaners. Deep cleaning should always be carried out before the first ignition of each season when you are going to use the fireplace (for example, in winter or autumn) to prevent the accumulation of creosote in the firebox from previous fireboxes.

If you rarely use your fireplace, you can wait until a 10 cm thick layer has formed in the firebox before deep cleaning the fireplace. Follow this procedure to deep clean the fireplace portal and firebox of your stone fireplace.

Materials and tools for deep cleaning of a stone fireplace:

  1. gloves
  2. safety goggles
  3. respirator
  4. trisodium phosphate powder
  5. plain water
  6. bucket 5 l
  7. wooden sticks for stirring
  8. cleaning brushes with hard bristles
  9. clean rags
  10. handheld vacuum cleaner or traditional vacuum cleaner with hose connection
  11. soft sponges

Step 1

After putting on protective gear (including an old long-sleeved shirt and trousers to protect the skin from trisodium phosphate), mix half a cup of cleaning powder and three liters of hot (not boiling) water in a 5 liter bucket and stir with a stick. Trisodium Phosphate works as both a degreaser and a heavy duty cleaner, making it more effective than soap in removing stubborn smoke and creosote stains.

Step 2

To clean the grate and/or andirons (rails used to support logs), remove the grate/andirons from the firebox, then soak a brush in a solution of trisodium phosphate and gently wipe the grate/andirons. Due to the large amount of soot that will be washed off the grate during cleaning, you should ideally complete this step and step 3 outdoors if possible.

Step 3

Go over the grate/andirons with a damp cloth to remove the cleaning solution, wipe them dry with a dry cloth, then return to the room and set them aside on one of the wipes you previously laid to protect the floor.

Step 4

Scrub the sides, back and floor of the firebox (top down the walls and back to front across the firebox floor) with a dry brush to remove dirt and grime.

Step 5

Use a handheld vacuum cleaner or vacuum cleaner with a hose to remove debris that has settled on the firebox floor during cleaning.

Step 6

Soak a clean brush in trisodium phosphate, then scrub the firebox from top to bottom, including the sides, back and floor to eliminate creosote buildup.

Step 7

Wipe the cleaned areas of the firebox with a cloth dampened with water to remove the trisodium phosphate cleaning solution, then dry these areas with a dry cloth and return the grate/andirons to the firebox.

Step 8

Dampen a clean soft sponge with the remaining trisodium phosphate solution, then apply it to the entire volume of the fireplace, making sure to wet both the stone and the grout. Let the solution sit for five minutes.

Step 9

Use the brush to clean the fireplace from top to bottom to loosen dirt and grime.

Step 10

Make one or two passes over the surrounding area with a clean, damp cloth to remove the trisodium phosphate solution.

Step 11

If stubborn stains persist on the fireplace, create a more highly concentrated trisodium phosphate powder paste by mixing 30 grams of cleaning powder with 200 ml of water in a small bowl, mixing with a wooden stirring stick.

Step 12

Use a clean sponge to apply the paste in a thin layer to the stubborn stain, let it sit for five minutes, and then scrub with a brush.

Step 13

Wipe the stain with a cloth dampened with water until the paste is removed. Blot the fireplace dry with a fresh rag, then let the fireplace dry completely before lighting the next fire.

Which wood should not be burned in a fireplace?

Softwood

Softwood from trees such as cypress, pine or spruce burns very quickly, creates a lot of smoke and quickly covers the chimney with soot.

Learn more