Some of these processes are time sensitive. Apr 9, 2019 #1 i forget the material my hearth is made out of, but i'm pretty sure it's a colored concrete surface because some light scrubbing with a wire brush 2 years ago left grey streaks that don't like to go away. Let the fireplace air dry. I also applied masking tape along the front of my fireplace insert, to keep it clean. Use demolition hammer… Replenish the rinse water when it becomes too dirty. Depending on how dirty your cement is, you can use one of three methods: oxygen bleach, trisodium phosphate, or muriatic acid. Today I am going to show you how you can paint a concrete hearth. As it works, it bubbles up and creates calcium carbonate, a limey, chalky substance. A few winters of fires can leave your fireplace in need of a good cleaning. I've tried the floor dry stuff that's supposed to clean oil from your garage floor. Rinse the sponge often and change the water as necessary. Muriatic acid cleans the concrete by etching its surface. “Normally, the way you get a concrete fireplace is by forming the mantel and chimney from scratch,” explains Dan. For Part 2 of my fireplace makeover – I painted the grey concrete hearth in front of the fireplace using a faux stone paint technique. In a fireplace without a chimney cover, the rain water will pool on the smoke shelf, mix with the soot behind the damper, and form an acidic slurry that can destroy the mortar joints. A homemade cleaning recipe for stone that works well is to mix 1/2 to 1 cup of trisodium phosphate (TSP) with one gallon of hot water. of oxygen bleach to the bucket, and allow it to dissolve completely. These logs are ceramic and painted to look like burning wood logs. Use an oxygen bleach solution for deeper cleaning and to remove tough stains from the concrete. Rinse the sponge as much as needed to remove the cleaning solution from the cement. To protect the walls, attach plastic sheeting or newspapers to the wall with masking tape around the fireplace. Fill the spray bottle with water to spritz the walls and floor of the cement fireplace hearth thoroughly. Painting your firebox and keeping the fireplace clean are great ways to keep your fireplace looking fresh. Thanks. It’s messy, but it usually does the trick. If you want to have a break at some point, schedule it during a non time-sensitive part of the process. Natural cleaner one: Make a thin paste out of 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar and a little bit of water. If you’re going to put newspaper on the floor, secure them in place so they won’t blow away! Allow the area to dry completely before moving onto the next step. No help there. Don’t stress yourself by trying to complete the whole process all at once. Only use  muriatic acid as a last resort. You might as well work on the surround while you’re cleaning the hearth. This method is best for cleaning small areas, like the brick trim around a fireplace. Fireplaces provide awesome moments with family and friends. To clean with muriatic acid, you’ll need: This article may be more intimidating than inspiring. The combustion of the gas around them still does leave behind a little soot, which typically only needs cleaning on an annual basis. Sep 23, 2015 585 north of seattle. Clean with a hard bristle brush. Sweep up the soot and ash into the dust pan and place it in a covered metal ash can. Do this for all four sides of your frame. The coffee grounds help to keep the dust down as you work. A guess for the circular ones is wine or some other dark drink. If you’re going to put newspaper on the floor, secure them in place so they won’t blow away! Ammonia is caustic, so protect your skin and eyes with long sleeves and protective goggles. Cover the walls around the fireplace by taping up old newspapers or another lightweight material. Apply the paste on the fireplace hearth, allow it to set in for 10 minutes, and then scrub and rinse. You can clean smoke from your fireplace tile and … Dip a scrub brush in the mixture, then use it to clean the stones. The part of the fireplace that surrounds the fire, some hearths are made from cement instead of bricks. If there are stains on the stones, you can treat them by rubbing baking soda on the stains. Clean and simple is usually the look that comes along with modern gray concrete fire place hearth, and that is clearly the case with this cast gray fireplace hearth. To dispel the gloom of her fireplace, Rachel Moore of Pinteresting Plans traded out that one thing she hated the one most, the dark hearth, for a more cheerful marble-look porcelain tile in 20-inch by 20-inch format. A fireplace can give your home an inviting and comfy feeling and typically brings to mind relaxed nights spent with loved ones in front of a blazing hearth. Your MDF will sit on the inside and will actually be touching the concrete. Replenish the rinse water frequently. Apply to brick and let sit for 10 minutes. Beside this, how do you stain a concrete fireplace hearth? Wear a long-sleeved shirt to protect your arms when working with it. Keeping these joints in good repair with a high temperature refractory mortar will help ensure the fire is contained. Mix warm water with a little washing-up liquid; if you’re cleaning a slate or granite hearth with soapy water, you can use the same solution. Many fireplace hearths are cement so they take a little extra effort to clean. She has written for newspapers, magazines, online publications and sites. Cover the floor with a tarp or even newspapers. 1. The hearth, however, is often forgotten. Open and close the damper a few times to release creosote and ash. How to Stain a Concrete Fireplace. You can use a metal ash can or a trash bag if you tie it off well and immediately throw it out. of dish washing detergent and 6 cups of water in a bucket. Smoke and soot can waft out and leave the stone dingy. Tarps are especially nice for covering carpets and furniture; if water spills onto them, they won’t leech it onto the furniture they’re covering. Soak the sponge in the clean water and wring it out. My fireplace has a smooth cement type hearth which has developed a couple stains. Cover the walls around the fireplace by taping up old newspapers or another lightweight material. First, try household ammonia, which contains five to 10% ammonia and is an effective all-purpose cleaner. Use the second bucket for rinsing. Add 8 oz. If this solut… Start by attaching your MDO sides to the plywood sides. Wearing protective gloves, dip a sponge in the mixture and apply it to the wet cement hearth. 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