A Homeowners Guide to Cleaning a Stone Fireplace

There's a reason why the fireplace hearth market is expected to be worth $18.8 billion by the year 2030. Not only can fireplaces vastly improve the appearance of a property, but they also add the functional benefit of some cozy heat.

However, there is a drawback to fireplaces: they require regular cleaning and maintenance. Sadly, cleaning fireplaces isn't always straightforward, especially for ones made of material like stone.

That's why we made this guide. In it, we'll break down everything you need to know about cleaning a stone fireplace. That way, your investment both looks great and isn't a potential fire hazard for your property.

Start With Stone Fireplace Cleaning Preparation

To be safe, you need to start with some preparation before you can begin cleaning the fireplace. First, make sure the fire has been extinguished for at least twelve hours before proceeding.

That way, you're sure any embers are out. Next, using a small shovel, begin scooping the ashes from the fire into a small metal container with a lid. When doing this, you may want to place cloth on the floor to protect any flooring material.

The same goes for any furniture nearby that might be affected by the dust. You should also wear a dust mask and gloves to protect your lungs and skin. As FEMA recommends, you should take your ashes outside at least ten feet away from your property.

Then, put them into a metal container with a lid to prevent oxygen from feeding any potential embers. Once you get the bulk of the ash, you can go back over the stone fireplace with a vacuum cleaner. Now, you're ready to clean the stone fireplace.

How Often Should You Do a Routine Cleaning of a Stone Fireplace?

If you have a standard wood-burning fireplace, you'll notice it gets dirty with soot, ash, and grit after only one use. So how often should you clean it? Ultimately, the answer to this question depends on how often you use it.

If you use your fireplace on a semi-daily basis, it's appropriate to provide it with a routine fireplace cleaning once per week.

However, if you use it less frequently, you can switch to a monthly or bi-monthly cleaning schedule. Let's take a closer look at how you would go about a typical routine cleaning for a stone fireplace.

How to Do Routine Care When Cleaning Stone Fireplaces

First, get a large bucket. Then, fill it with a quart of hot water (it should be warm but not scolding). This is a bucket mix in a quarter cup of dish soap. Yes, all you need to clean a fireplace that isn't stained with soot is dish soap. Mix this until it's emulsified.

Now, break out your scrub brush. We recommend wearing gloves and a mask before beginning. Dunk the scrub brush in the soapy water and begin scrubbing the stone fireplace.

Work from top to bottom. As you scrub you should notice stone and grit loosening within the stone and grit. Once you've gotten all the initial dirt out of the way, pour out the bucket of dirty water.

Fill it back up with cold water. Then, get a clean cloth. Go back over the stone fireplace with clean water and cloth. This will help remove any residual soap and grit that might be hanging around.

Get a dry cloth and dab at the stone to dry it slightly. From there you should let it air dry until all the moisture has evaporated.

How Often Should You Do a Deep Clean of a Stone Fireplace?

Routine cleaning will help you get a handle on any of the light or moderate debris build-up in your fireplace. However, it won't get rid of any heavy stains and deposits that incur over multiple fires.

That's why it's recommended to deep clean your stone fireplace once per year. Not only does this make the stone look cleaner, but it also removes creosote buildup which can represent a fire hazard.

You can either deep clean your fireplace at the end of the fire-burning season, or right before the next season. Just make sure that it's cleaned before you start your first fire of the season. Now, let's learn how to go about a stone fireplace deep clean.

How to Deep Clean a Stone Fireplace

To deep clean a stone fireplace, you're going to need to invest in some specialized cleaning products. Specifically, you'll need Trisodium phosphate (or TSP) powder.

Just make sure you wear protective gear when handling it or it will damage your skin. Mix half a cup of the TSP powder with three quarts of water. Remove the fireplace grate and take it outside.

Then, scrub it down with the TSP solution. Next, turn your attention to the stone fireplace. First, scrub it down with just a dry brush to remove excess grit and soot. Then vacuum it up. Once the initial layer is gone, dip the brush in the TSP mixture.

Scrub all around the stone, including the floor, to eliminate the creosote build-up. Once you've gotten everything, wipe everything down with a damp towel to remove the TSP.

If the exterior portion of the stone fireplace is dirty, you can scrub it down in a similar way. If you notice stubborn stains that refuse to go away, make a concentrated TSP paste. You can do this by combining one ounce of it with a cup of water. Use a stick to apply this to the stains.

Let it sit for five minutes, then go at it with a brush. This should help remove even the most stubborn stains.

The Importance of Chimney Cleaning

In addition to cleaning your fireplace, it's also vital to schedule a regular chimney cleaning. Why? Because the EPA found that dirty chimneys with creosote build-up caused 30% of home heating fires.

As such, cleaning your chimney ensures that you're protecting both your family and your property from this threat. It's technically possible to clean a stone chimney yourself. However, just because it's possible doesn't mean you should.

Cleaning your chimney will require you to access your roof and remove the cap from the chimney. Then, you will need specialized tools to clean it thoroughly.

Not only is there the risk of falling hazard, but if you aren't careful could unleash a storm of dust into the room with your fireplace. As such, we always recommend contacting a professional when it comes to chimney cleaning and fireplace inspection.

How Do You Deal With Gas-Powered Stone Fireplaces?

It's easy to forget to clean gas-powered fireplaces because there are no ashes or logs to deal with. However, dust and dirt can still be threats to these types of fireplaces.

As such, it's recommended that you clean them once per month. To do this, you will need to first turn off the gas valve. Next, you will need to disassemble the fireplace.

This can vary depending on the model of your gas fireplace. However, it will typically involve removing a glass or mesh casing around the stone. Once the exterior is removed, you can take out the fake logs and scrub them down with a brush to remove dirt and dust.

You should also vacuum any potential dust and cobwebs that have accumulated toward the bottom. If your glass covering has become cloudy because of the combustion, you can polish it with a simple vinegar-cleaning solution. Then, wipe down the stone around the surrounding mantle.

Before you reassemble anything, make sure you check the exterior vents and chimney for blockage. That way, there's no threat of carbon monoxide poisoning.

When You Should Contact a Professional

If the idea of cleaning your stone fireplace sounds intimidating, you're not alone. For one thing, it can be a dirty and time-consuming process. On top of that, if you're not thorough enough, it could represent a safety hazard.

The good news is that there are plenty of professional fireplace cleaning services out there who can help you. However, if you want to make things easier, consider going with a fireplace supplier who also offers these types of services.

For example, here at The Grate Haus, we can provide deep cleaning for the fireplaces you buy from us before Fall or in late Summer each year. What's more, we can also offer repair and diagnostic services if your stone fireplace begins to act up.

Need a Stone Fireplace? Contact The Grate Haus

We hope this guide has helped teach you the basics when it comes to cleaning a stone fireplace. Here at The Grate Haus, we know how the right type of stone fireplace can transform a home.

That's why we carry the biggest names in the industry for you to choose from. Not only will we help you install the fireplace, but we'll also provide you with maintenance, repair, and cleaning services over the years.

So if you're ready for the fireplace of your dreams, then contact us today to learn more about our products.