The secret to keeping brickwork stain-free

A fireplace is a wondrous thing and on practically everyone’s wish list, but it requires upkeep and maintenance and that includes keeping the surrounding brickwork clean, a specialized, if simple, process that you can do yourself.

Q I tried to wash bricks above a fireplace with soap and water, but I got an uneven result. How can I do a better job? A If you didn’t saturate the bricks with water before you applied the cleaning solution, that could explain the blotchiness.

The Brick Industry Association, a trade group, recommends starting the cleaning process by saturating the bricks with water, because that stops most of the cleaning solution from being absorbed into the bricks. The cleaner will then stay on the surface, where it can dislodge grime. Dry bricks absorb whatever liquid is applied, and if that’s dirty or soapy water, it can become difficult to rinse away.

Outdoors, saturating bricks is easy: Just turn on a hose and make sure all the bricks get wet. Indoors, it is more difficult, even if you mask surrounding surfaces with plastic sheeting. A masonry sponge, sold at home centres, makes a good tool for transferring water to bricks. This type of sponge, sold for cleaning grout, holds a lot more water than typical household sponges.

Start by saturating the brick with water. Scrub with soapy water, using a clear soap or one labelled for use on brick. Scrub with a fibre or plastic-bristle brush. Then rinse several times, using the masonry sponge. Rinse and re-wet the sponge with clear water as you go.

Once the brick dries, check again for stains. If smoke stains remain, the Brick Industry Association recommends using a stiffbristle brush and scouring powder that contains bleach. Again, rinse the residue thoroughly.