After sharing our completed tile work around the fireplace, I got a great comment from Jessica at Decor Adventures sharing her post about cleaning her brick fireplace. Well, that was all the boost I needed to clean this dirty brick that taunted me every day.
It was really icky, but it just seemed like a project I didn’t want to take on before the tile was finished and the dustiness was done. Here’s the before…
I simply used a spongy mitt (actually the mitt from our steam mop) and dishwashing detergent. It cut the grime like a dream. I also used a scrub brush in extra dirty and tight spots. I had to fill the bowl with clean water three times because there was so much dust and dirt on the brick and in the mortar.
And a short time later… we had a relatively clean brick fireplace. (The soot on the tile is another story. I didn’t clean that before I snapped the picture.)
Why did I wait so long to complete this project?
Do you have a project in your house you’ve been putting off?
ewww that water is gross! Good work Kim.
I can totally tell a difference and it looks GREAT!
Your new home is looking beautiful – your fireplace cleaning is totally worth the effort too. Looks great! 🙂
I hate when pictures can’t capture the dramatic differences I have made!
I believe you when you say the fireplace looks great! The pictures show an improvement, too!
Hey, it looks great! Who would have thought it would be that easy to clean?
I really need to repaint my fireplace… But I also really need to repaint a lot of crap around here. lol
Yay! I can see a difference! It looks so much cleaner!
I’ll have to keep this in mind for when I’m finished with the fireplace.
Looks like a lot of work, but the end result is great!! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the link! This is one of those ‘I have to do it’ projects with seemingly little result, but the after is amazing! Big difference, you are right.
Bet you feel good getting it done 🙂
That really did make a huge difference. Looks great!
That looks great!!
Ugh I have one project I am putting off and it stinks because I had to stop halfway through. I am trying to reupholster a chair…but they previous owners really did a number to the chair’s construction, so I am stuck
Can you imagine what you’ll accomplish when that whole nesting thing sets in. The inside of that fireplace better watch out.
dude! I can TOTALLY tell a difference, and I’m blown away by how good it looks!
ALMOST makes me want to tackle all that brick in man town. Almost.
I totally need to clean my fireplace bricks too! thanks for the inspiration 😉
dude, I have been putting off cleaning our fireplace for… 9 months now. Blech.
LB
I’m going to need to do this soon too! Who’d have thought just soap would do the trick?!
It looks great! Need to add to my to do list.
That must feel good. I hate cleaning projects like that.
It always feels so good to get those type projects done! Way to go, Kim!
I have brick everywhere in my house – I’m going to try this!
I can totally see why you put it off – it sounds intimidating. But wow! What a difference – if I had brick, I’d be cleaning it right now.
Wow! I can definitely see the difference. I guess I would’ve thought it would’ve been a much more involved process. I love it when things are actually easier than I thought they would be!
This looks so great- I can definitely tell the difference. I have so many of those projects at home that just keep getting put off and then once I do it, I wonder why I waited so long! Glad you have a pretty fireplace!! 🙂
“Why did I wait so long to finish this project?” That is the story of my life!! I think it’s looking good, and I bet you feel great about how clean and fresh it is. 🙂
Great job, Kim! You must feel very satisfied!