Restoring brick fireplace - how to clean bricks?!

[momeg2]

Hello,
We have just found a beautiful brick fireplace under a layer of plaster in the 1880 Cottage that we just purchased. The bricks are extremely dusty, and many have a white-ish appearance even though they are red/orange bricks. We have tried cleaning them with water and an iron brush, but they still appear quite dusty. Does anybody have any good tips on how to clean old bricks?

Thank you in advance!

 

[Daisy-Lea]

Not tried this one myself - but have you thought about rubbing the brick with another brick - one of the same type. I wouldn't use a wire brush, as it might make little grooves if your bricks are weak

 

[Richardp]

You can buy Brick Cleaner from any builders supplies, try googling it.
I think we've covered this before on here so you could try the search facility

 

[Nige F]

Daisy-lee`s idea sounds good to me the orange bricks may be "red rubbers" which were indeed rubbed to create slips over windows....like when you get a slight arch and the bricks are tapered slightly

 

[Moz]

you can with common brick an comes up a treat , but accrington /glazed faced ,NO ...same with engineering bricks ,

 

[mark1981]

hi,
I used a wire brush wheel on a drill to clean up my exposed brick fireplace

 

[foxhole]

hi,
I used a wire brush wheel on a drill to clean up my exposed brick fireplace

9 year old post.