What can I use to clean the brick and mortar on my fireplace? I have tryed vinegar but tah didn't do it.?

Answer 1

Do NOT use acid, do NOT use muriatic, do NOT use bleach if you're trying to clean smoke and carbon deposits off.
What you need to clean it with all depends on what substance you are trying to get off it !!! Vinegar and most acids will not do anything to get carbon-deposits, soot, smoke, etc !!! So, its a fireplace, I presume its the smoke deposits you want to remove ? In that case, do not use acid or pool chemicals. Also, "Sure-Klean" is a brand name with several things in their product-line, some of which are acids, like Sure-Klean600, excellent product, but meant for cleaning mortar-smudges, cement spills and calcium-salt deposits off of bricks, usually related to new construction. Don't waste time or money trying to use it for cleaning smoke or soot off. Its a super product, but for the appropriate purpose. Sure-Klean brand also makes a Fireplace Cleaner, specially designed to clean off smoke and soot off of bricks. Thats a good solution for it. It is the best. It retails about $25 - $30 for a litre spray bottle. Very important to use according to directions, and pay attention to timing of that product on the wall. Alternatively, you could try your own solution and see if it does the job. Get a pail of water and a little laundry-detergent, and if necessary, you can mix in some TSP - Tri-Sodium Phosphate, that any hardware store or even paint stores sell, its relatively cheap, maybe $3 - $5. You only need a small amount, don't need a big package !

You must use rubber gloves, especially if you use TSP.

Also, use a stiff nylon-bristle brush, or wood-fibre brush.
Do NOT use any metal-bristle brush, as this will leave metal stains later, and scratch the brick too much.

Also, very important ! You MUST PRE-WET the bricks with plain fresh clean water, before you put ANY cleaning chemicals on it. Thats because all bricks are absorbant, to some degree or another, and if you put some cleaning chemical on the bricks, the brick may absorb that chemical and make more stain problems, or it would dissolve the dirt and the dirt&solvent both get absorbed deeper into the brick. Then you won't be able to clean it. IF you pre-wet the bricks with plain water and sponge until the bricks can't absorb anymore, THEN apply cleaning chemicals, the dirt and the cleaner remain at the surface, and don't get sucked into the brick, and so you can clean it right off.

Its also important to rinse thoroughly with clean water too, of course.

You'll get it done nicely, if you do it right.

Answer 2

Clean Fireplace Brick

Answer 3

We (bricklayers) use something called sure-clean. You may have to find an active brick job and ask to borrow some though because its sold by the barrel.

Answer 4

using muriatic acid indoors is not the best idea although muriatic acid is used for that purpose..we also use sure-clean on brickwork...whatever you decide to use use a stiff bristle brush but dont use a wire brush , it will take the face off a brick...

Answer 5

One part of hydrochloric liquid acid (from a Pool outlet) to water and use gloves! If the ratio of mix doesn't do it add a bit more acid, rinse off with plain water.