How Do You Clean Interior Stone Fireplaces?
Dirty fireplace stones can make an otherwise clean room seem dirty and dingy. Commercial companies offer to clean fireplace hearths, but hearth cleaning can be easily done at home with a few household tools. Several commercial cleaners can remove soot from stones, but commercial cleanings can damage some older, softer stones. It’s important to choose cleaners and cleaning methods carefully to avoid damage to the fireplace. Spread the drop cloth around the fireplace to protect flooring from water spots and soot seepage. Plastic drop sheets are better for protecting surfaces such as carpeting that are easily stained. Mix cleaning solution by adding one cup of salt to one cup of dish detergent in a small mixing bowl. Stir to make a loose paste. Dip the nylon brush into the cleaning solution, and clean the soot off in a small, circular motion with the brush on an inconspicuous area of the fireplace to test if the stones will hold up to cleaning. Continue scrubbing stones if the stones are
