4. Borax

If the gentle abrasive and dish soap are not cutting through the soot, then it is time to take your cleaning efforts up a notch. Use your spray bottle to mix four cups of hot water with a squirt of dish soap and two tablespoons of borax.

Shake the bottle well to mix everything thoroughly. Spray the bricks to coat them and have plenty of cleaning solution on them. Use your brush to get to work removing the soot. Finish with a clean rinse and repeat the process of spraying and scrubbing until your fireplace is clean.

5. Specialty Fireplace Cleaners

If you are not interested in mixing your own cleaning solution at home, you can purchase one of the many available fireplace cleaning solutions. The most common are Quick N Brite and Spray Nine. If using an environmentally safe solution is important to you, then Quick N Brite is the solution for you. To use it, you will scrub with a brush and rinse clean when finished.

If the idea of scrubbing until your arm is sore is not appealing, then Spray Nine is your best bet. It is an ammonia-based cleaning solution that is formulated to target carbon-based stains or dirt, like soot.

6. Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) or Muriatic Acid

If the gentler methods do not work on your fireplace, then you can up your efforts to a more caustic cleaner. These are dangerous and harmful cleaners, so they should only be used on the most stubborn smoke stains.

Before using trisodium phosphate (TSP) or muriatic acid, you need to fully protect yourself and the fireplace surround. TSP will damage fabric, paint, carpet, metal, and tile.

Before you start, change your clothes so that you are wearing long pants and a long sleeve shirt. Then put on gloves, goggles, and a respirator. You do not want to risk these solutions getting on your skin even momentarily. Finally, wear protective shoes with high socks that go up under your pants.