You don’t need professional help to keep your house as clean and shiny as you need it to be.
This means that you should know how to clean stone fireplace alone, but don’t worry about that as well.
In this WarmthPedia guide, we’ll help you master the art of how to clean stone fireplace without breaking a sweat, similar to how professionals do it.
We’ll also provide you with precautions, how to protect yourself while you clean, and help you know more about the stains you’ll encounter along your trip.
To make matters easier for you, we’ve split the guide into two parts: How to Clean Stone Fireplace Mantel and Hearth.
Most Common Stain Types on Stone Fireplaces
Keeping the natural-stone look on your fireplace is a must if you’d like to keep it as stylish as it looks.
But you’ll face different stain types along your journey, which is why you should know the most common stain types you’ll encounter on stone fireplaces.
The most common stain types on stone fireplaces are:
- Fire and Smoke Damage (the most common).
- Moisture (comes through the floor & chimneys).
- Organic Stains (comes from leaves, bird droppings, and insects).
- Biological Stains (mold, algae, and fungi).
How to Clean Stone Fireplace: Precautions
Before you get to cleaning the stone fireplace, you should abide by some important precautions, like wearing gloves, a mask, and safety glasses.
You should also cover the floor and walls with plastic materials or newspapers, to keep them clean and unaffected by the cleaning procedure.
1. How to Clean Stone Fireplace Mantel
How to Clean Stone Fireplace Mantel: Items Required
Start cleaning the stone fireplace mantel by preparing the items required for cleaning.
The key to creating an effective mixture is keeping it as simple as possible.
You don’t need anything strong or special, and you’d need to clean the fireplace gently, so as not to strip it out of its character.
Items required are:
- Water
- Dishwashing detergent
- A Bucket
- A Sponge
- Soft bristle brush
- Used toothbrush
Create your cleaning solution by mixing 4 cups of water with 1 cup of liquid dishwashing detergent, and move on to the next step.
How to Clean Stone Fireplace Mantel: Before You Start
Although we already expressed how important it is to cover the ground and walls before you start, I think we need to double-check that the ground is covered by plastic or piles of newspapers.
This step is essential as you don’t need to clean the stone fireplace, and take the dirt to the ground or the walls.
Moreover, the cleaning solution (clean or dirty after using it) can most of the time affect the floor or the walls and damage it if it’s not cleaned immediately.
How to Clean Stone Fireplace Mantel
Start cleaning the stone fireplace mantel by pre-soaking the area with a sponge. It’s better to pre-soak the mantle instead of etching and scraping it during the cleaning process.
Pick up your soft bristle brush, dip it into the bucket with the solution, and scrub the mantel as gently as possible.
Moreover, you should start from the top, making your way to the bottom.
Once you’re done, soak off the cleaning solution with warm water immediately, as you don’t want the solution to dry off on the stone fireplace.
Why did we request obtaining an old toothbrush then? Some stain types are just harder to remove since they’re in some of the hardest-to-reach areas.
The old toothbrush is the most suitable item to reach those areas, without pressing hard against the stone.
Video with first-hand experience on How to Clean Stone Fireplace Mantel:
2. How to Clean Stone Fireplace Hearth
How to Clean Stone Fireplace Hearth: Items Required
- A Bucket
- Warm Water
- Table Salt
- Cleaning Detergent
- Brillo Pad
- Old Toothbrush
- Vacuum Cleaner
How to Clean Stone Fireplace Hearth: Before You Start
Before you start creating the cleaning solution or cleaning the stone fireplace hearth, make sure to use the vacuum cleaner to clean any dirt particles in the way.
Moreover, cover the area around the hearth with plastic or piles of old newspapers, similar to what we did in the fireplace mantel.
Now, create the solution by mixing the detergent with a liter of warm water, and 3 tablespoons of salt.
How to Clean Stone Fireplace Hearth
Once you’ve vacuumed the hearth, and cleaned everything that’s been residing there for quite some time, then it’s time to use the cleaning solution now.
Put on your gloves and protective gear, then apply the cleaning solution to the fireplace hearth.
Leave the solution there for 10-15 minutes to dissolve different dirt types.
Use the brillo pad to clean the solution off, but you’ll face some dirt residing in different–to-reach areas, and that’s where the toothbrush comes in.
Rinse the hearth with clean water, then you’re good to go.
How to Clean Stone Fireplace: Additional Tips to Maintain Your Fireplace
1. Regularly check your chimney, on a bi-yearly basis if possible, according to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA).
2. Regularly remove ashes and dust, to keep yourself healthy, and your fireplace as well.
3. Sand out super stubborn stains carefully, as it’s safer than rubbing the stubborn stains with additional power.
Conclusion
This concludes our guide to How to Clean Stone Fireplace properly and thoroughly.
We’ve explained in length at WarmthPedia how to clean both the hearth and mantle, detailing what items to use, how to prepare for it, and what step-by-step procedures you should carry out.
If you have any questions on How to Clean Stone Fireplace, we at WarmthPedia won’t hesitate to answer you within 24 hours, just fire away in the comments section below.