How to Clean Soot From Your Fireplace in 7 Easy Steps

Fireplaces can make any home feel cozy, whether they're gas or wood-burning. However, they need regular cleaning to prevent a buildup of unsightly and unhealthy fireplace soot. Fortunately, learning how to clean soot from a fireplace isn’t complicated. All you need are a few household cleaning products and some elbow grease.

Before You Begin: Precautions

Soot particles are messy, and inhaling them can be harmful to health. To protect yourself and the fireplace surrounds, take the following precautions before you begin cleaning.

• Ventilate the room to avoid trapping airborne soot particles.

• Wear a dust mask (preferably an N-95 one for maximum protection).

• Wear dish gloves, a long-sleeved top and long pants to prevent soot lying on your skin.

• If soot does come into contact with your skin, wash it off immediately

• Protect the floor and furniture near your fireplace by placing a drop cloth or two over them.

7 Steps to Cleaning Soot From Your Firebox

How to Remove Soot From Fireplace Bricks

Using the steps above to remove soot from bricks in and around your fireplace is often enough, but if the brick needs extra cleaning, try one of the following methods.

Method 1: Using Vinegar to Remove Soot From Fireplace Bricks

Vinegar is a tough and effective natural soot cleaner.

1. Mix: Use a ratio of one part water to one part white vinegar. 

2. Spray: Apply with a spray bottle to thoroughly wet all the brickwork and allow it to soak in for a few minutes.

3. Scrub: Use a soft-bristle brush or sponge to scrub in the still-wet solution. Work from the bottom to the top to prevent unsightly streaking.

4. Rinse: Use a sponge and warm water to remove the vinegar smell and soot residue. Adding baking soda to the water can help neutralize the vinegar’s acidity and lift any lingering sooty spots.

However, if you have an older fireplace with crumbling brickwork, stick with the mild detergent solution and some elbow grease. Acidic vinegar can further degrade the brickwork if the solution is too strong or not rinsed away properly.

Method 2: Using Ammonia to Remove Soot From Fireplace Bricks

To remove a heavy buildup of ingrained soot on fireplace bricks, you might need something stronger. You can use household ammonia to clean up tough soot stains, but this corrosive chemical needs careful handling.

Before starting, ensure the room is well-ventilated. Wear protective gloves, goggles, and a mask.

1. Mix: Dilute 1/4 cup of ammonia with 1 gallon of water in a cleaning bucket. Never add other chemicals, as you risk creating highly toxic gases.

2. Apply: Rub the solution into the brickwork with a sponge while wearing gloves.

3. Scrub: For tough stains, sprinkle on some abrasive powdered pumice and scrub in with a brush to help lift the soot.

4. Rinse: Thoroughly rinse the ammonia solution using a fresh bucket of warm water and a clean sponge.

If any stubborn stains remain, call a professional fireplace cleaner in your area. And if you’re worried about soot or creosote buildup in your chimney, which can cause dangerous chimney fires, hire a chimney sweep for professional cleaning.

How to Clean Fireplace Doors

Follow these cleaning steps to keep the glass door of a fireplace soot and smear-free.

1. Remove the glass (optional): If it’s simple to remove the glass from your fireplace door, it makes cleaning easier. Always wait until the fireplace (and glass door) are fully cool.

2. Protect the glass: Carefully lay the glass on a towel or other protective cloth.

3. Protect your fireplace surround: If you can’t remove the glass, place a towel or other cloth under the glass door to catch any soot and cleaning liquid that may drop.

4. Create your cleaning solution: Ash from a wood fire makes an effective, eco-friendly, economical, and gently abrasive cleaning product. Mix a little ash with warm water. Alternatively, you can use a solution of one part vinegar and one part water or a commercial fireplace glass cleaner. Avoid using abrasive cleaners, steel wool, or razors, as these can scratch the glass surface.

5. Scrub in the solution: Apply the solution with a piece of newspaper using circular motions. The newspaper prevents smears or scratches.

6. Rinse: Use warm water to rinse away the ash solution and dry with paper towels.

7. Replace the glass: If you removed the glass to clean it, fit it back into place, following the manufacturer’s instructions if they are available.

Cost to DIY Fireplace Cleaning vs. Hiring a Pro

If you have extra time on your hands, you can save money by cleaning soot from your fireplace yourself rather than hiring a professional to do it for you.

The materials needed to clean your fireplace, not including the chimney, will cost you under $50 at your local hardware store. The average cost of a professional fireplace cleaning ranges from $95 to $150, depending on whether or not the pro will need to clean your chimney as well. Contact a local fireplace cleaning professional for specific prices.