Q&A for How to Clean Soot from Brick

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  • Question
    Is it easy to clean soot off of brick?
    Chris Willatt
    House Cleaning Professional
    Chris Willatt is the owner and founder of Alpine Maids, a cleaning agency in Denver, Colorado started in 2015. Alpine Maids has received Angie's List Super Service Award for three years in a row since 2016 and has been awarded Colorado's "Top Rated Local House Cleaning" Award in 2018.
    House Cleaning Professional
    Expert Answer
    It can be, yes. You can get the soot off with regular cleaning tools like soap, water, and all-purpose cleaner. Even when you get the soot off though, there's always that smoky smell left. The only way to get that out is to use an enzyme treatment.
  • Question
    What if some of the soot got on the drywall?
    Alicia Sokolowski
    Green Cleaning Specialist
    Alicia Sokolowski is a Green Cleaning Specialist and the President and co-CEO of AspenClean, a green cleaning company in Vancouver, British Columbia. With over 17 years of experience, Alicia specializes in creating a healthier, green alternative to chemical-based cleaning products and services. AspenClean develops and manufactures its own line of 100% Natural, EcoCert® certified, and EWG verified™ cleaning products. AspenClean’s glass cleaner was voted Parent’s Green Pick 2020 by readers of the Parents’ magazine. Alicia holds a CPA designation and a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Finance from the University of Toronto.
    Green Cleaning Specialist
    Expert Answer
    For drywall, hook your vacuum hose up with an upholstery attachment and suck up any big chunks of soot. Then, wipe the area with a dry microfiber cloth. For the remaining stains, soak a cloth in any all-purpose cleaner and scrub the stubborn soot stains away before drying it off by hand.
  • Question
    Can I paint over fireplace brick that has been stained?
    Community Answer
    You could. Just be warned the paint may or may not peel off.
  • Question
    Our bricks are a sandstone type and smoothed. Will the water ruin the bricks?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Sandstone is too porous. The solutions will be absorbed into the sandstone. Do not use a stiff brush on sandstone. Use a foam spray only - but for a short time, and rinse gently. Avoid the salt/soap paste.
  • Question
    How can I clean smoke stains from a painted wall?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Use the cleaning compound known as TSP, which is available at any hardware store.
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