How to Get Rid of Soot on a White Painted Brick Fireplace

Quck answer

To remove soot from a white painted brick fireplace, you can follow these steps:

1. Prepare the area: Lay down drop cloths or newspapers to protect the floor and surrounding furniture.

2. Dust the surface: Use a dry cloth or brush to remove any loose soot or debris from the brick.

3. Create a cleaning solution: Mix equal parts of warm water and mild dish soap in a bucket or spray bottle.

4. Apply the solution: Dip a sponge or cloth into the cleaning solution and gently scrub the soot-stained areas of the brick.

5. Rinse and dry: Wipe off the cleaning solution using a clean, damp cloth. Then, dry the surface thoroughly with a towel.

6. Repeat if necessary: If there are still stubborn stains, repeat the cleaning process until the soot is completely removed.

Remember to always test the cleaning solution on a small, inconspicuous area of the brick before applying it to the entire surface.


Usually, it’s not difficult to remove soot from a brick fireplace. You just need a chemical cleanser and a coarse brush. However, if the brick fireplace is painted, you have to be extra careful or else you might damage the finish or cause some discoloration. Many people make the mistake of being too aggressive when trying to remove soot stains from a painted fireplace, which often leads to the need for repainting the entire fireplace. If you need to remove soot from a white painted brick fireplace, there are a few techniques you can try to avoid having to redo the entire surface with primer and paint.

Step 1

Press some children’s molding dough or Silly Putty onto the soot stain, then pull it away. This should remove some of the soot. Repeat this process until all of the soot is gone. If this doesn’t work, use dish soap and warm water.

Step 2

Mix regular dish soap with warm water. Use a coarse scrub brush to apply the soapy water to the soot stain. Scrub in a circular, counter-clockwise motion. Rinse the surface with a wet cloth. Move on to Step 3 if there is still soot remaining on the painted brick fireplace.

Step 3

Mix white vinegar with water (1/3 vinegar, 2/3 water). Use a coarse scrub brush to apply the vinegar to the soot stain. Scrub in a circular, counter-clockwise motion. Rinse the surface with a wet cloth. Repeat this process until all of the soot is gone.

Leave a Comment