Cottage Q&A
QUESTION
What would you use to clean black soot off the front of a stone fireplace?
Tina Fontana, Montreal, Que.
ANSWER
Where there’s fire, there’s smoke, which leaves soot. Ron Chalmers, owner of Chalmers Hearth & Chimney in Brampton, recommends cleaning stone or brick with trisodium phosphate (TSP), a cleaner and degreaser often used to prep walls before painting. You can buy TSP in powdered or liquid form at your hardware store. The product is toxic if swallowed and will irritate eyes and skin – so wear gloves and goggles – but it won’t release fumes, has no lasting health effects, and is less caustic and poisonous than similarly effective products. It does contain phosphorus, however, so don’t make a habit of cleaning with it.
If staining is really severe, you may have to apply muriatic acid and scrub with a stiff-bristled brush. Muriatic acid can be bought in diluted form at any hardware store. Handle with care – it’s a strong substance and will have to be cut with water; follow the label for exact amounts or, better yet, hire a professional to apply it. Ensure the area is well ventilated, cover all exposed skin, and wear eye protection. The acid and the brush can also damage or discolour brick or stone, so test it first on a small area.
Chalmers notes that 100 per cent of the smoke from your fires should be going up your chimney. “If it’s black on the brickwork or stone, that’s an indication there’s a problem with the fireplace.”
Steve Brearton
Published in the June 2007 issue of Cottage Life.
