Are you wondering how to clean fireplace mortar? If you want to make sure that your fireplace looks its best, keeping the mortar clean is just as important as keeping it in good working condition so that you can rely on it to keep your family warm and heat your home on the coldest winter days and nights.
How to Clean Fireplace Mortar Tips
The technique that will work best for cleaning the mortar on your fireplace will vary based on how much cleaning is necessary to get the look that you want. If too much time passes between cleanings or if you are going for a spotless look, cleaning will likely be more difficult than if you perform regular maintenance or if you will be satisfied with a look that indicates that the fireplace is used frequently.
Non-Chemical Cleaning
While many people reach for some type of chemical solution first when it's time to engage in household cleaning, in many cases doing so is unnecessary when cleaning fireplace mortar if you have the right tools and are willing to use some elbow grease.
For example, if you have a Dremel tool with a wire brush or wire wheel attachment, you can use it for the purpose of removing smoke stains from fireplace mortar. Sandblasting is another non-chemical answer to the question of how to clean fireplace mortar, but this method should only be performed by an experienced professional.
Fireplace Cleaning Solutions
If you prefer to use a cleaning solution, it's best to look for one that is not acidic. One such option is Fireplace Brick Cleaner, an all-natural, non acidic, non-abrasive, and non-flammable cleaner that can be used on fireplace bricks, stone, and mortar.
To use this powerful cleaner, simply spray the affected area and watch the black marks that appear on fireplaces with normal use disappear. Both smoke marks and creosote will disappear before your eyes when you spray them with this cleanser. You want have to scrub or use abrasive cleaning tools to get rid of the unsightly stains that you want to remove from your fireplace.
Acidic Cleaning Options
In some cases, there may be so much build-up on mortar than using an acidic solution is necessary. If you decide that you need to go this route, avoid using muriatic acid if at all possible. While some people use muriatic acid solutions to clean fireplace mortar and bricks, it's advisable this dangerous and corrosive substance should only be used for fireplace - and any type of household - cleaning as a last resort. If you need to use an acidic cleaning solution, choose a masonry cleaner made with phosphoric acid instead. The risks are greatly reduced with this type of solution, and it can be effective on all but the most severe of stains.
Additional Fireplace Maintenance Tips
In addition to keeping the mortar on your fireplace free from black marks caused by smoke and soot build up, it's also important to keep the bricks, enclosure, and chimney clean and to vacuum out to the soot on a regular basis. In addition to keeping your fireplace looking its best, taking care of these important household cleaning tasks will also help ensure safe operation of the unit.
