Fireplace brick accumulates soot — the carbonaceous particles in smoke that deposit on cool surfaces. Fresh soot is easier to remove than soot that has been baked on over multiple fire seasons. Porous brick soaks up smoke and soot into its surface, so cleaning requires some dwell time for the cleaner to work.
Preparation
- Lay a drop cloth on the floor in front of the fireplace to catch drips
- Wet the brick with clean water using a sponge before applying any cleaner — wetting prevents the brick from absorbing the cleaning solution too quickly before it has time to work
- Wear rubber gloves throughout
Dish Soap Scrub (Light Soot)
- Mix 60mL dish soap with 500mL warm water
- Apply to the soot-stained brick with a sponge and scrub with a stiff-bristle brush — not a wire brush, which can damage mortar
- Allow to sit for 5 minutes then scrub again
- Rinse with clean water and repeat if staining remains
Cream of Tartar Paste (Moderate Soot)
- Mix cream of tartar with enough water to form a thick paste
- Apply to the stained brick and allow to sit for 10 minutes
- Scrub with a stiff brush and rinse thoroughly
TSP Cleaner (Heavy Soot — Available at Hardware Stores)
- Mix trisodium phosphate (TSP) with water per package directions — TSP is a strong alkaline cleaner effective on heavy soot and grease deposits
- Wet the brick first, then apply the TSP solution with a sponge
- Allow to sit for 5–10 minutes
- Scrub vigorously with a stiff-bristle brush
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water — TSP residue leaves a white haze if not fully rinsed
- Wear eye protection; TSP solution is caustic
After Cleaning
- Allow the brick to dry completely — 24–48 hours
- Apply a brick sealer (available at hardware stores) to reduce future soot penetration — sealed brick is significantly easier to clean
- Clean annually before or after the main fireplace season