Home Cleaning Cleaning How-Tos How to Clean Brick Properly, Indoors and Outdoors All you need is a few supplies you can probably find in your pantry. By Mary Marlowe Leverette Mary Marlowe Leverette Mary Marlowe Leverette has over four decades of experience and has been writing and consulting for more than 20 years sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, stain removal methods, and textile conservation. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Published on April 01, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article How Often to Clean Brick Surfaces How to Clean Interior Brick How to Clean Exterior Brick Additional Tips Close Photo: Nina Henry/Getty Images Project Overview Skill Level: Beginner A durable material, brick adds warmth and style to floors, fireplaces, and walls both inside and outside of the home. However, depending on its location, it can become dirty and dusty, covered with soot, or plagued with mold or mossy growth. Learn how to clean brick surfaces inside and outside of your home, so your bricks look brand new. How to Clean Outside Windows Safely and Effectively How Often to Clean Brick Surfaces For interior brick walls and floors, routine cleaning may be all you need to keep them looking their best. Untreated or painted brick should be dusted or wiped down with a damp microfiber cloth at least twice a month to remove dust and interior brick floors should be swept or vacuumed and mopped weekly. Exterior brick surfaces should only need cleaning once or twice a year. What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Vacuum or broom Microfiber cloths Garden hose with spray nozzle or power washer Buckets Spray bottle Nylon-bristled scrub brush Grout brush Rubber gloves and eye protection Materials Dishwashing liquid or all-purpose cleaner Distilled white vinegar Table salt Chlorine bleach Instructions How to Clean Interior Brick Surfaces Clean Your Brick Floors Sweep or vacuum the floors to remove grit and debris.Mix a solution of one part distilled white vinegar with 10 to 15 parts warm water in a bucket.Wet a microfiber mop in the cleaning solution and wring it until it is slightly damp.Mop the floor and, if needed, use a stiff nylon scrub brush dipped in the cleaning solution to remove stubborn stains.Allow the floors to air dry. No rinsing is needed! A steam mop is one of the best things to clean brick with—it keeps indoor brick floors pristine without having to use any chemical solutions. The Best Way to Clean Any Type of Floor Clean Brick Walls and Fireplaces Use a damp microfiber cloth, duster, or the vacuum's hose and brush attachment to remove dust and insect webs from the brick surface.Fill a spray bottle with warm water and add 3-4 drops of dishwashing liquid or all-purpose cleaner.Fill a bucket with warm water.Starting at the top of the brick wall, spray the surface until it is very wet.Let the cleaning solution work for 3-4 minutes and use a microfiber cloth to wipe away soil. Use a nylon-bristled scrub brush on any areas that are heavily stained.Dip a clean microfiber cloth in the bucket of warm water and wring so it is not dripping.Wipe away the cleaning solution and soil from the brick. Rinse the cloth often and change the rinse water as needed. Remove Unsightly Soot Stains from Fireplaces Prepare two buckets with cleaning solutions. In one, add 2 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid to one gallon of warm water. The second bucket should contain one cup of distilled white vinegar in one gallon of cool water. Dip a scrub brush into the soapy solution and sprinkle the brush liberally with table salt to act as a mild abrasive to loosen the soot from the brick. Scrub the brick well and use a microfiber cloth to wipe away loosened soot. Dip a clean microfiber cloth in the water and vinegar solution to rinse away any soapy residue and dispel smoky odors. 4 Beneficial Uses for Epsom Salt—and One You Should Always Avoid How to Clean Exterior Brick Surfaces Prep Supplies and the Area Before Cleaning Mix 1 tablespoon of chlorine bleach with 1 gallon of warm water in a bucket. If cleaning a brick patio, remove all of the furniture to avoid overspray. Be sure all windows and doors are closed and tightly sealed. Cover any outdoor electrical outlets and light fixtures. Duct tape works great if the original weather cover is missing on an electrical outlet. Protect shrubs and grass with plastic tarps. Prepare yourself from cleaning products and overspray with eye protection, rubber gloves, and old clothes. Wet the Brick Surface Use a garden hose with a spray nozzle or a power washer set on low to thoroughly wet the brick surface. Only wet the amount of area you can clean completely before the brick dries. If you are cleaning a brick patio, use the water spray to remove any loose soil or leaves that have accumulated on the brick. Apply the Cleaning Solution Starting at the top of a wall or corner of a patio, use a nylon-bristled scrub brush to apply the bleach solution to a three-by-three-foot section of the brick.Scrub the brick and mortar keeping the brick moist, including areas where the cleaning solution drips down the wall.When a section is clean, rinse the section with water and move to the next area. How to Clean Outdoor Furniture So It Lasts for Years Remove Mold and Moss Stains For areas that are heavily stained with mold or moss growth, apply the bleach and water solution heavily and let it work for at least 10 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing. Repeat as needed. Additional Tips to Keep Your Brick Surfaces Looking New If there are rust stains on the brick, treat those first with an oxalic acid-based cleaner (like Bar Keepers Friend) or a paste of lemon juice and table salt. Chlorine bleach can permanently set rust stains. Soak up spilled oils and grease from brick with a thick layer of kitty litter or sawdust. Leave it on the brick for at least 24 hours and sweep it away. Repeat until all of the oil is absorbed from the porous brick. Inspect brick surfaces often for cracks and repair them promptly. If you live in a historic home, avoid using a pressure washer because the mortar is usually softer than today's products. Seek advice from a professional before cleaning. 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