How do I clean an open fireplace?

[rabbitrabbit]

Hi, we've just moved into a house with an open fireplace in the sitting room-and it's filthy! It's an old brick fireplace and it's covered in soot at the back etc. Does anyone have any tips on what to use to clean it? Or recommendations of any companies who offer that service? (we're in Surrey.)
Thanks

[Carnoodleusfudge]

You need to check when the chimney was last swept if you are planning to use open fireplace.

It is surprisingly easy to set fire to your new home this way...

[rabbitrabbit]

Hi, no plans to use it to be honest but there is a lingering "smokey" smell so I'd like to at least clean it (and thanks for the warning!)

[TheQueenOfQuotes]

When we moved into this house we didn't know how long it was since the open fire had last been used - so we got a chimmney sweep in to "sweep" it - by the time he'd finished the fireplace itself was pretty clean so I'd have a look on yell.com (or your yellow pages) to find someone to come round.

[Nip]

Get a chimney sweep in, he'll sort out the majority and also advise you the best way to sort it out... they are like taxi drivers and always know the best way!

[rabbitrabbit]

That's great, thanks alot.

[VoluptuaGoodshag]

Fireplaces and sooty dirt go hand in hand. If you're not planning on using it, after the chimney sweep has been you could give it a quick paint job with some white emulsion.

My next door neighbour used to do this every summer when her fire wasn't in use. It freshened it up and she'd put nice flowers in front of it instead (or candles). The paint always burned off again once autumn decended.

[moulimoo]

we had ours done and the chimney sweep was great, good advice etc. you must get it swept first anyway just to be safe when you light it. if theres black metal parts you can go over it with ZEBO (sp ?) its blacking liquid, comes in a tube, really messy- wear gloves but brings it up like new.

[UCM]

You could try cleaning the bricks with a wire brush, DH clean ours up with one and it looks great. It's a dirty job and takes a while and there will be much dust. After you have cleaned the bricks up seal them with that stuff, can't remember what its called, its like white glue mixed with water - it stops the soot from being absorbed anymore.

[rabbitrabbit]

Thanks everyone.

UCM-that glue stuff sounds like just the thing! Does anyone know what it's called?

Thanks

[UCM]

PVA

[UCM]

Second stuff down \link{http://www.britpaints.co.uk/Miscellaneous/sealantspvabygeo.htmlhere}

[UCM]

here

[rabbitrabbit]

Thanks alot UCM, I'm going to go looking for that tomorrow (how exciting am I?!)