Q&A for How to Clean Fireplace Bricks

You will need to scrub the brick with a scrub brush and a dish soap solution. To reach the high ceiling, you will most likely need to use a high ladder. Start cleaning higher up on the brick wall as possible and work your way down. Use cautionary measure while working on the ladder. If you do not feel safe cleaning on the ladder, you may want to call a professional.

Apply paint stripper using a trowel to the paint stains and leave it for several hours and scrape away as much as possible. You may also want to scrub the bricks with plain water to remove any remaining paint and to remove the chemicals from the brick. For the plaster stains, you can first scrape away as much of the plaster as possible. For any leftover residue, you can apply a hydrochloric acid solution with a wire brush to clean the brick.

Yes, bricks can be painted, even ones around and inside the chimney. Just make sure the bricks are clean before applying the first base coat.

Avoid using ammonia or an acidic cleaner such as vinegar on old bricks because it can cause them to break down. Make a simple cleaning solution that's safe to use on older bricks by combining about 2 to 3 tablespoons (30 to 44 mL) of dish soap with ½ cup (5 ounces) of baking soda to make a cleaning paste. Dip a scrub brush into the paste and clean the bricks using small, circular motions. Allow the paste to sit on the bricks for 5 minutes, then rinse it off with clean water.

Vinegar is a great solution you can use to clean newer, sturdier bricks. However, the acidity of the vinegar, which makes it a great abrasive for cleaning, is harmful to bricks that are more than 20 years old. If you plan to use vinegar to clean your bricks, make sure they're younger than 20 years old.

Soot is easily removed from fireplace bricks using a simple cleaning solution. Combine 1⁄2 cup (120 mL) of dish detergent with 4 cups (950 mL) of water in a spray bottle and shake it up well to mix it. Spray the solution onto the bricks and use a scrub brush to clean off the soot. Rinse the bricks with warm water after they're clean and dry them off with a clean cloth.