The fireplace has always been a part of the living room in the colder regions of the country. The most common and classic trend has been the stone fireplace due to its durability and uniqueness. However, stone accumulates dust, debris and moss over the years, which ruins the original look of the stone. It leads to the need to clean the stone fireplace to get rid of dust, debris and moss. Many homeowners merely clean the stone while others opt to upgrade it with paint. However, the option depends on the extent of dirt and debris and the type of items placed in the room. This blog discusses options and ways to clean a stone fireplace for a fresh look.
Options to Clean a Stone Fireplace?
A fireplace doesn’t merely serve a functional need, but also adds a statement to the living room. Therefore, it’s important to keep it spic and span. It should also match with other items placed in the surrounding areas of the stone fireplace to ensure the visual impact doesn’t go offbeat.
Whitewashing/Sealing
If stone has moss or lichens build up or growth of any other microorganisms, you are left with three options: to whitewash, seal it or clean it thoroughly. The better option is to whitewash the stone. The best way to test the visual impact of the whitewash is to try different proportions of paint and water. For example, mix 30% paint and 70% water and see the effect. If it’s not convincing, try 50% paint and 50% water and paint the stone with another coat and see the impact.
| Some Tips | If the stone is porous, it may soak up the paint and give a look which you had not thought of. Therefore, be ready with the alternate option. |
Vinegar
Vinegar is a natural way to clean a stone fireplace. Take diluted vinegar spray in a spraying bottle and spray it on the stones. DON’T spray on the mortar. Allow the vinegar mixture to sit for a few minutes, and then spray the solution again. Finally, clean the stone using a brush cleaning attachment on a power drill.
| Some Tips |
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Soap and Water Solution
Before you start the cleaning process, tape off the floor to protect it from water. Take clean water in a bucket, a sponge, a spray bottle and a mixture of soap and water. Then, spray the mixture on the stones and wipe it off using a sponge dipped in clean water. Repeat the process if needed.
| Some Tips | Use a small sponge to ensure it goes into deeper grooves. |
Grouting
Grouting is yet another option to maintain a clean stone fireplace, but the final look post-grouting depends on the gap between the stones. Wide gaps between the stones don’t look good after grouting, whereas grouting looks unique when the gap between stones is narrow.
Things to Consider When Cleaning a Stone Fireplace For a Makeover
Cleaning the stone fireplace is a functional requirement, but it’s important to consider other items placed in the living room, especially when whitewashing the stone. This is to maintain the balance in the visual appearance of the room. For example, the show pieces, furniture, rugs and the artefacts should complement the stone fireplace, else the room will look offbeat.
Steps to Clean a Stone Fireplace
Cleaning the stone fireplace is an easy DIY task. Here is the list of materials required and the steps to follow:
Material Needed
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Wire brush
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Drill brush attachment
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Goggles
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Mask for protection from dust
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A bucket and sponge(optional)
Step 1: Cleaning Preparation
The first step is to prepare the area for cleaning. Open all the windows, tape off floors and walls and fix a box fan in the window to suck the dust particles. Don’t forget to wear a dust mask and goggles as a precautionary measure.
Step 2: Scrape the Dirty Stone
In this step, scrape the dirty stone to get rid of moss and debris using a wire brush. In order to reach the crevices, attach a round cleaning brush to the drill. Keep cleaning until the dust and debris stop coming off the stone.
Step 3: Vacuum the Dust
In this step, clean the loose dust and debris using a crevice attachment to the vacuum cleaner.
Conclusion
Cleaning a stone fireplace is an easy DIY task which requires basic items. There are various options to clean the stone, such as a vinegar solution and a soap and water solution. Whitewashing is also an effective way to give a fresh look to the stones. However, consider the pros and cons of all the methods and then go for the best option.
