Does anyone know how to clean a brick fireplace?

[Mrs Dazzle]

Now my lovely rebuit and newly decorated lounge is looking nice and sparkly clean, sadly the old fireplace isn't - or rather is being shown up by the walls

We've got a log burner and large brick fireplace - does anyone know how to clean the brickwork - simply I'm sure I read somewhere about using water and newspaper, but having just tried that it looks even worse. I've asked jeeves, but he's been no help unless I want to use the services of a Victorian restoration company

Any help much appreciated

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Paul saw this in the Saturday Times magazine yesterday -

"Normal household detergents have virtually no effect on stains on porous stone – you’ll need to use a specialist cleaning agent that will actually leach the stains out of it. A recommended firm is LTP who are incredibly helpful and seem to know everything about he cleaning and maintenance of stone. Call them on 01823 666213 and they will talk you through your problems and advise you on products and supply them to you or tell you where your nearest stockist is. "

Hope that helps a little

 

[signtalker]

"lithofin"

DH is a heating engineer, and installs all manners of fireplaces and wood burning stoves, and reckons this is the stuff you need.
Jules

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Thanks, Sam & Paul and Jules. I shall be contacting these people as soon as the dust has settled - can't quite bear the thought of more cleaning for a couple of days now

Thanks
Annie x

 

[WDWfan uk]

I was going to offer a son to clean your chimney until I saw what the problem was !

(Well, they're slim and don't mind heights !)

 

[gilld]

I always use soda crystals on the stone surrounding my fireplace...it brings it up a treat.

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Ooh, thanks gilld.

How exactly do you use the crystals - just pour onto the bricks and then soak, or what?

 

[galaxy]

I haven't tried it but saw it on a DIY programme a while back, they used sodium bicarbonate, and scrubbed the bricks witha brush.

Galaxy