Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning
• What you need

A fireplace can add a warm touch to any home, but one of the unavoidable troubles is soot on the surrounding tiles. Soot can leave permanent stains on the materials it comes in contact with, so it's important to remove the plaque at least once a year. To clean soot from tiles, you can either use baking soda or white vinegar as a natural solution, or use a sodium phosphate chemical cleaner to get the tiles clean again.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Prepare before cleaning the heater

1. 

   Wait at least 12 hours for the heater to cool down before you start cleaning. Do not scrub while the tiles are still hot. After using the heater, wait overnight or at least 12 hours for everything in the heater to cool down before cleaning by any method. This step protects your hands, and also ensures that the chemicals you use don't get too hot.
   • If you use a heater for heating, consider cleaning it during the summer months, when you are less likely to use it.

2. 

   
   
   Remove unsealed ash and soot. Wipe out the heater with a brush and shovel before brushing starts. Remove ashes and large chunks of coal that may remain in the heater. This step will make the next steps much easier.
   • You can put away the unburned wood chips for later use.

3. 

   
   
   Cover old furniture or towels with tarpaulins to protect the floor. When you clean the heater, water or chemicals can fall onto the floor and the surrounding area. You need to cover the floor to make sure the carpet or parquet doesn't get damaged.

   Warning: Do not use newspaper, as toner can get on the floor when wet.

4. 

   
   
   Wear rubber gloves to protect hands. When you scrub the heater, chemicals can get on your hands. Wear gloves to protect skin from irritation. If you use sodium phosphate cleaners, you will need to wear goggles. advertisement

Method 2 of 4: Use baking soda

1. 

   Mix a paste of baking soda and water in a 1: 1 ratio. Mix 4 tablespoons (60 g) of baking soda with 4 tablespoons (60 ml) of warm water and stir until all ingredients blend into a dough mixture. If the mixture is too thin, you can add baking soda.

2. 

   Use your hands to rub the mixture on the tiles. Scoop a large amount of baking soda mixture and spread it over the stove. Spread from top down to form a thin layer that covers the entire surface of the heater. Spread more mixture inside the heater, as this is where the soot is thickest. Pay attention to the base of the slots and grooves between the bricks. Focus on any particularly dirty areas.
   • You should wear rubber kitchen gloves to protect your hands, or use a clean rag to spread the mixture.

3. 

   Wait 10 minutes for the mixture to soak. Baking soda will decompose grease and dirt on the tiles. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes to allow the soot to come off. Do not let the mixture dry or harden to avoid damaging the tiles.
   • If the mixture is too dry, you can spray the mixture with water to make it wet again.

4. 

   Use a brush to scrub off the mixture. Use a stiff brush to scrub off the mixture. Dip the brush in water from time to time to wash off any remaining baking soda. The light friction of baking soda and a brush will remove the stubborn soot.
   • Don't scrub too hard or damage the tiles.

5. 

   Clean tiles with lukewarm water and remove tarpaulins. Use a soft sponge soaked in warm water to thoroughly wipe off any baking soda remaining on the tile. Wait for the heater to dry completely before using it again. Remove old mulch or towels that you have spread on the floor to catch water earlier. advertisement

Method 3 of 4: Clean soot with vinegar

1. 

   Mix water with white vinegar in a spray bottle in a 1: 1 ratio. Mix 1 cup (240 ml) of white vinegar with 1 cup (240 ml) of warm water in a spray bottle. Shake the jar to mix the vinegar and water. You should use a clean spray that has never been filled with harsh chemicals.
   • You can buy aerosols at most home appliance stores.

   Warning: Vinegar can be too strong for bricks older than 20 years. In this case, replace it with a non-acid detergent, such as baking soda.

2. 

   Spray the vinegar solution on the inside and outside of the heater. Starting from top down, spray the vinegar solution over the entire surface of the tile. Pay particular attention to areas with a lot of soot, possibly right at the door of the fireplace. Be sure to spread the tarpaulin to catch the water dripping.
   • If you have leftover vinegar, you can use it to clean the bathroom and kitchen table as a natural detergent.

3. 

   Wait 10 minutes for the solution to soak. Vinegar is slightly acidic, so it can break down soot and the stains that hang on the tiles. Leave the vinegar solution on the tile, but don't let it dry. Do not wait longer than 10 minutes, otherwise the acid may start to damage the brick.

4. 

   Brush the tiles from top to bottom with the brush. Dip the brush in warm water and brush the tiles. Pay particular attention to the grooves between the bricks and the areas with lots of soot. Scrub the tiles until the smell of the vinegar is gone.
   • You can sprinkle baking soda over the tiles to get rid of the vinegar faster, but it will lather and possibly stain the tiles.

5. 

   Clean tiles with lukewarm water and remove tarpaulins. Use a sponge soaked in warm water and quickly wash the entire surface of the tile. Remove any tarps or towels that you previously laid on the floor around the fireplace. Wait for the heater to dry completely before burning the firewood. advertisement

Method 4 of 4: Removal of soot with sodium phosphate

1. 

   Wear gloves to protect hands. Sodium phosphate can cause skin damage through direct contact. Wear rubber kitchen gloves to protect your hands. Try to avoid touching this chemical with your bare hands.
   • You can buy rubber gloves at most household stores.

   Warning: Sodium phosphate can also harm the eyes. Wear safety glasses if you are afraid of chemicals getting in your eyes.

2. 

   Mix sodium phosphate with warm water in the bucket. Mix 8 tablespoons (120 g) of sodium phosphate with 4 liters of warm water. Use a plastic bucket that will then contain no food. Stir until it becomes a liquid paste.
   • You can buy sodium phosphate at hardware stores.

3. 

   Use a bristle brush to rub the mixture into the tiles. Use a brush to scrub the mixture over the outside and inside of the heater. Rub from top to bottom, making sure to rub the mixture into areas where the soot is clinging. Be careful when scrubbing or damaging the tiles, especially if your heater is old.

4. 

   Clean the tiles with warm water and sponge. Use a soft sponge to apply warm water over the entire surface of the tile. Gently wash the remaining sodium phosphate off the tile. Wash the bucket and brush thoroughly when cleaning is complete.
   • If there is still soot on the tiles, apply the sodium phosphate aid and scrub it again.
   • Remove the floor coverings after cleaning.
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Advice

• Use only clean, dry wood for a longer heater.

Warning

• Never use abrasive chemicals when cleaning soot on bricks. Many chemicals leave a flammable film on the tile surface and are dangerous when you next use the heater.
• Only start cleaning the heater once it has cooled down. The heat can still smolder in the ashes for days after the fire, causing you to burn.

What you need

Use baking soda

• Baking soda
• Canvas or linen
• Gloves or rag
• Scouring brush

Clean the heater with vinegar

• White vinegar
• Aerosol
• Scouring brush

Remove soot with sodium phosphate

• Sodium phosphate
• Shove
• Gloves
• Goggles (optional)
• Scouring brush
• The sponge