How to: Clean a brick fireplace.

Brick fireplaces are classic and still popular today. They are durable and have a rustic charm. However, as with all fireplaces, even those made of brick need looking after if you want to keep it looking its best.

While durable and generally easy to care for we still recommend a quick clean to keep dust and debris to a minimum. As with every fireplace, how often you use your fire will affect how often we recommend a quick clean up. If you use your fire daily, then we recommend quickly sweeping up or hoovering before every use. For those who only light their fire occasionally, then a quick clean up the day after use is recommended.

You will need;

• A soft brush.

• A dustpan.

• A hoover with a brush adapter.

Dry Cleaning:

• Sweep any dust or debris using a soft brush.

• Hoover up and hard to reach dust and debris using the brush adapter.
  

As with every type of fireplace, a quick clean up with every use will reduce the build-up of dust, dirt and debris, which will save you time later.

Even with a regular quick clean up, build ups of dirt and debris will happen eventually. It is better to prevent heavy build-ups by doing a more thorough clean.

You will need:

We advise the following routine;

• Put a few drops of washing up liquid into a bucket of hot water.

• Wipe down hearth with a soapy solution.

• Empty bucket and refill with clean warm water (no soap this time.)

• Then wipe down again with clean warm water, leaving no soapy residue behind.

• Gently wipe/pat down with a dry cloth.

• Allow drying overnight before using any additional cleaners or polishing.

We say weekly cleaning, however, as with every surround, it depends on how often you use your fire.

• If you use your fire more than three days a week, we advise doing the above weekly.
• If you use your fire less than three days a week then we advise doing the above two-weekly to monthly.

Deep cleaning is a highly recommended form of preventative maintenance. Below we have listed the stages involved with deep cleaning. While you may not have to follow all steps every time, depending on how often you perform a deep clean, we recommend doing this at least once a year, regardless of how often you use your fire. It is usually best to do this at the start of the summer season, so your fire looks its best even while not in use.

For deep cleaning you will need;

• Bucket
• Cloth
• Heavy duty brush – firm spines.
• Fireplace cleaner – please ensure it is suitable for use on brickwork.
• Gloves – fireplace cleaners usually require you to protect your skin.
• Old sheets/dust covers to protect your carpets/furniture
  

Before starting a deep clean please do the following;

• Sweep/Hoover and dust and debris from around the fireplace.
• Clean the fireplace with soapy water solution (Follow instructions above.) and ensure fireplace is dry before starting a deep clean.
• Before proceeding to the deep cleaning routine, please ensure areas around the fireplace are covered with a protective layer.
• Ensure you have and are wearing the protective equipment recommended by the cleaner.
  

Deep Cleaning;

• Scrub brickwork with a firm brush, this can be done either dry or wet.
• Follow instructions on your fireplace cleaner as directions can vary.
• Repeat as necessary.

Brickwork fireplaces can be sealed using a brick and stone sealer. This will help to protect the brickwork from staining and make it easier to clean. However, sealants can change the natural colour of brick and stone. They usually make them darker.

When sealing we recommend;

• It is best to seal after a deep clean. This is because the brickwork will be as clean as possible and will avoid sealing stains and marks into the brickwork.

• Use a sealant that is designed for brickwork fireplaces and follow the manufactures instructions.

If you follow our advice and still find you are having issues with stubborn marks, please contact our showroom and one of our team will be happy to advise you.

WARNINGS:

• Sealing can change the colour of the brick.

• If stains & markings persist after deep cleaning, please contact the showroom and we will advise how to proceed. Do not apply a sealant as this can seal the stain into the brick.

• Due to brickwork being porous liquid spillages can soak in and stain bricks, all liquid should be cleaned off as soon as possible to avoid this.