The Kitchen Essential That Removes Unsightly Soot Stains From Your Brick Fireplace

The air is getting cooler, and you can practically smell winter on the doorstep. Soon, it'll be time to heap on those logs and let your fireplace do what it does best — fill your home with a warm, crackling comfort. It's something no heating system can replace. But as idyllic as it sounds, there is one thing that tends to mar the picture-perfect winter scene: Those dark, smudgy soot stains that have a habit of clinging to your beautiful brick fireplace. It's like the aftermath of a peaceful night gone awry. Before you consider repainting, know that your solution might be sitting in your kitchen cabinet. Good old baking soda can leave your fireplace soot-free and revive your bricks back to their welcoming color.

At its core, soot is what's left behind when carbon doesn't burn completely. It's made up of incredibly fine particles, even smaller than household dust. This means it can slip into every nook and cranny your eye can't see. And because bricks are porous by nature, they soak up soot like a sponge. No wonder those black stains are so difficult to remove! That's why knowing how to properly clean a fireplace, especially with baking soda, can make all the difference.

Before you elbow up and start scrubbing your fireplace, a little caution is needed. So, make sure you gear up properly. A dust mask will keep soot particles out of your lungs. Wear safety goggles as well because soot likes to fly when you least expect it. Gloves and a long-sleeved shirt are just as important to protect your skin. However, if you've used your fireplace recently, give it at least 12 hours to rest. Cleaning the bricks when they're hot can be uncomfortable and may even leave you with burned fingers. Once everything's cool to touch, gather your supplies. You'll need some baking soda, a bowl of water, a nylon brush, and a bucket of soapy water.

Start by mixing baking soda with water in a bowl. The goal is to form a thick paste (think a toothpaste-like consistency). If it turns runny, just add more baking soda and you'll be back on track. Next, spread the paste generously over the soot stains. Let it sit for about 10 minutes. That's when baking soda will do its job. The natural mild abrasives and alkaline properties in baking soda will start to loosen the soot from the brick's pores. Once the time's up, grab your brush and scrub in circular motions. Finally, rinse it all off with soapy water, and you'll see those dark smudges fading away. That's it! Your fireplace is now ready for another year of fireside stories.