Fireplaces - black soot?

Kyle523Nicole · February 2011

We have 2 fireplaces at our house and I'm not sure what I can use on them to clean the black soot (At least I *think* that's what it is) off of them. The fireplace upstairs is made from sandstone (another assumption) and it it absolutely filthy.

I've swept and shop vac'd it out so there isn't anymore debris in it - but I don't know what to use to scrub off this black nastiness. Any suggestions? TIA!

Here is the sandstone fireplace (with the doors taken off because I painted them):

kyna81 · February 2011

No advice, but just wanted to say hello!

MS0710 · February 2011

I worked for a chimney sweep company for many years and we highly recommend ACS. Call your local chimney sweep - they may have some in stock that they sell - or visit http://saversystems.com/chimney-products/acs-anti-creo-soot

Good luck!

BicycleBride10 · February 2011

There was an article in Real Simple recently about cleaning fire places and it listed a product designed to do just exactly what you are talking about. I just went to look for it online, and if you do a search on Real Simple's website for "clean fireplace" several articles come up. I've never tried any of them before but most stuff Real Simple suggests works well. Good luck!

Shell24 · February 2011

Sabrina Soto from HGTV always recommends the foaming bathroom cleaner. Spray it on, let it sit for 5 minutes and scrub with a scrub brush. She does it on her show all the time!