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 ...

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It’s the time of year when folks start migrating towards their fireplace in the evening, if they’re lucky enough to have one. There is something deep in us that finds warmth and comfort, not just in ...

Is there anything more cozy than snuggling up in front of the fireplace on a chilly winter night? We don’t think so. To prepare for warm nights near the fire, you’ll want to make sure your fireplace ...

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Who doesn't love a warm, cozy fire? But the maintenance and clean-up that goes with hit? Not so much. And while chimney cleaning ...

Q. I tried to wash bricks above a fireplace with soap and water, but I got an uneven result. How can I do a better job? A. If you didn’t saturate the bricks with water before you applied the cleaning ...

Cleaning up a soot-stained fireplace can be a daunting job. There are commercial cleaners available, but they can be kind of harsh. Why not try a safer, cheaper route first? All you need to make your ...

Q: How can I remove wood ash from fireplace brick? Gaithersburg, Md. A: From the picture you sent, it looks as if you’re dealing with ash, soot and a little charcoal — ash being the white and gray ...

I’m departing from my usual question-and-answer format this week because I was blessed to have an interesting email exchange with one of my newsletter subscribers. I want to share it with you as an ...

Q: I tried to clean bricks above a fireplace with soap and water, but I got an uneven result. How can I do a better job? Bethesda A: If you didn't saturate the bricks with water before you applied the ...

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 ...