How To Keep Your Natural Stone Fireplace Clean

A natural stone fireplace is a great addition to any home. Not only are they very stylish, but they can help keep you warm on cold, wintry nights. Regardless of your home's style, they immediately make things feel a little bit cozier. There are a lot of different options that you can choose from if you are choosing to create a fireplace in your home, or even if you are renovating an existing one. 

If you choose to go with natural stone, there are several different stones that you can pick from, but it is important to do your research because they all have different pros and cons. Some stones are better used for some surfaces rather than others. It is important to know this before picking your stone because you do not want to pick one that is easily affected by heat, heavy cleaning or other elements it will come in contact with while being next to the fire. 

It is also important to be sure that you are cleaning your natural stone correctly. There are lots of different things to keep in mind when cleaning to be sure that you keep your stone in the best shape possible. Using the wrong cleaner can wear away the surface of your natural stone. You also want to be sure you are sealing your natural stone if it is one that needs it. This will prevent it from getting damaged and will keep it protected against the elements. 

If you're using your fireplace regularly, it's going to need a good cleaning to keep it in good shape and looking good. While cleaning all natural stone is typically pretty similar, fireplaces can be a bit different. Here's how to clean a natural stone fireplace. 

Use an enzymatic cleaner

For the interior of your fireplace, you'll need an extremely strong cleaning product designed specifically for this purpose. There are many cleaners available specifically for this purpose at your local home improvement store. Since these cleaners are very powerful, make sure you always ventilate the area before starting to clean. They will usually recommend that you mix them with bleach for the best results, which makes them even more potent.

Use a paste to get rid of stains

Cleaning a natural stone fireplace can be difficult because ash stains very easily. Sometimes scrubbing just isn't enough to get the stains out. To get rid of these powerful stains, mix your solid cleaner with a bit of water to make a paste and let it sit on the stain for a while before washing off.

Use a soft sponge to rinse off the cleaner

Once you've scrubbed away all the stains, it's important to wash off the cleaner so that it won't streak on the stones. Sponges are definitely best for this because they are very soft and won't damage the stone. Stay away from wire cleaners, which can be very damaging. Once you've rinsed all of the cleaner off, open up all the windows and let the entire fireplace air dry. You'll want to avoid using the fireplace until everything has completely dried.

GMS Werks is an Omaha natural stone company that makes fireplaces, as well as countertops, backsplashes and whatever custom project you can think of. If you're building or renovating a home, a stone fireplace is a beautiful addition that will create a more luxurious atmosphere. Contact GMS Werks in Omaha today to learn more about natural stone products for your home.