Brick fireplaces may be cozy and charming, but they also blacken easily. Smoke and ash penetrate the brick during every fire and leave behind dark stains. Cleaning brick can be very challenging ...

Clean brick fireplaces with a vinegar-and-water mix, avoiding harsh chemicals that can damage porous brick. Vacuum, scrub gently in small sections, and finish with a brick sealer once dry. Keep it ...

When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: TK Images. Design: Kyle Dutton Homes There are certain areas and features of our home ...

Lee Wallender is a home improvement writer of nearly 20 years and specializes in home remodeling, repair and maintenance. Kristin is a lead editor at Forbes Home and has nearly a decade of ...

Ideally, you would have cleaned your fireplace thoroughly in the spring, after you used it for the final time of the season. But if that didn’t happen—or if you want to tidy it up before using it this ...

*Refers to the latest 2 years of stltoday.com stories. Cancel anytime. We have a fireplace with red bricks around it that never looks clean. If we wash with soap and water, it looks clean until it ...

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more› By Joshua Lyon Joshua Lyon is a writer covering home and decor. He's also the ...