The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning Brick, Both Inside and Out

Brick is a resilient material that brings both charm and warmth to floors, fireplaces, and walls, whether inside or outside your home. However, depending on its location, it can accumulate dirt, dust, soot, or even suffer from mold and moss growth. Discover how to clean brick surfaces in and around your home to restore their fresh appearance.

How Often Should You Clean Brick Surfaces?

For indoor brick walls and floors, regular cleaning is usually sufficient to keep them looking their best. Unpainted or untreated brick should be dusted or wiped with a damp microfiber cloth at least twice a month to remove dust. Interior brick floors should be swept or vacuumed and mopped on a weekly basis. For outdoor brick, cleaning is generally needed only once or twice a year.

What You'll Need

Tools and Equipment

Required Materials

Step-by-Step Instructions

How to Clean Brick Surfaces Inside Your Home

How to Clean Your Brick Flooring

• Begin by sweeping or vacuuming the floors to remove any dirt and debris.
• Prepare a cleaning solution by mixing one part distilled white vinegar with 10 to 15 parts warm water in a bucket.
• Soak a microfiber mop in the solution, then wring it out until it's just damp.
• Clean the floor by mopping, and if necessary, use a stiff nylon brush soaked in the solution to tackle tough stains.
• Allow the floors to air dry; there's no need to rinse them!

Cleaning Brick Walls and Fireplaces

• Start by using a damp microfiber cloth, a duster, or the vacuum's hose and brush attachment to remove dust and cobwebs from the brick surface.
• Fill a spray bottle with warm water and add 3-4 drops of dish soap or all-purpose cleaner.
• Prepare a bucket of warm water.
• Spray the brick surface starting from the top, thoroughly wetting it.
• Let the solution sit for 3-4 minutes, then wipe away dirt with a microfiber cloth. For stubborn stains, use a nylon-bristled scrub brush.
• Dip a clean microfiber cloth into the warm water and wring it out to avoid excess moisture.
• Wipe the brick to remove the cleaning solution and dirt, rinsing the cloth regularly and refreshing the water as needed.

How to Eliminate Unsightly Soot Stains from Fireplaces

• Set up two buckets with cleaning solutions. In one, combine 2 tablespoons of dish soap with one gallon of warm water. The second bucket should contain one cup of distilled white vinegar mixed with one gallon of cool water.
• Dip a scrub brush into the soapy solution and sprinkle the brush generously with table salt to act as a mild abrasive, helping to lift soot from the brick.
• Scrub the brick thoroughly and wipe away the loosened soot with a microfiber cloth. Use a fresh microfiber cloth dipped in the vinegar-water solution to rinse away any soap residue and eliminate smoky smells.

How to Clean Brick Surfaces on the Exterior of Your Home

Prepare Your Supplies and Set Up the Area Before You Begin Cleaning

• Mix 1 tablespoon of chlorine bleach with 1 gallon of warm water in a bucket.
• If you're cleaning a brick patio, be sure to move any furniture out of the way to avoid overspray.
• Ensure that all windows and doors are shut and properly sealed.
• Cover any outdoor electrical outlets and light fixtures, using duct tape if the original weather cover is missing on an outlet.
• Protect your plants and grass with plastic tarps.

Moisten the Brick Surface

• Use a garden hose with a spray nozzle or a power washer on a low setting to wet the brick surface thoroughly.
• Only wet as much area as you can clean before the brick dries out.
• If you're cleaning a brick patio, use the water spray to remove any loose dirt or leaves that have gathered on the brick.

Apply the Cleaning Solution

• Beginning at the top of a wall or the corner of a patio, apply the bleach solution to a three-by-three-foot section of the brick using a nylon-bristled scrub brush.
• Scrub the brick and mortar while keeping the brick moist, including any areas where the cleaning solution drips down the wall.
• Once a section is cleaned, rinse it with water before moving on to the next area.

Eliminate Mold and Moss Stains

• For areas with heavy mold or moss growth, apply the bleach-water solution generously and let it sit for at least 10 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing. Repeat if necessary.

Extra Tips to Maintain the Fresh Look of Your Brick Surfaces

• If you notice rust stains on the brick, treat them first with an oxalic acid-based cleaner (such as Bar Keepers Friend) or a mixture of lemon juice and table salt. Avoid using chlorine bleach as it can make rust stains permanent.
• Absorb spilled oils and grease from the brick with a thick layer of kitty litter or sawdust. Leave it on the brick for at least 24 hours, then sweep it up. Repeat until all the oil is absorbed.
• Regularly check for cracks in the brick and repair them promptly.
• If your home is historic, avoid using a pressure washer, as the mortar is typically softer than modern materials. Consult a professional before cleaning.