How to Clean Fuel Oil Soot

Cleaning Soot from a Fireplace

• 1

  Put on a pair of rubber gloves and some eye protection. Place a layer of newspaper or tarp on the floor. Open a plastic garbage bag, or line a trash can with plastic.

• 2

  Remove the fireplace’s andirons and grate. Sweep them downward with the wire brush until the soot falls onto the floor covering.

• 3

  Shovel the soot pile with the fireplace shovel and dustpan. Deposit the soot into the garbage bag or trash can.

• 4

  Place a lining of newspaper around the bottom of the fireplace. Press newspaper sections up the sides of the fireplace about 4 inches.

• 5

  Reach up into the fireplace and brush the soot downward into the newspaper. Fold pieces of newspaper around larger collections as you brush, throwing the sections away and replacing the soiled newspaper with a new layer. Repeat until no more soot falls.

Cleaning Soot from an Engine Block

• 6

  Put on the rubber gloves and eye protection. Mix one part commercial engine cleaner to one part water in a bucket. Pour the solution into a spray bottle.

• 7

  Spray down the engine one portion at a time; cover only enough sooty area that you can clean in 10 minutes or less.

• 8

  Allow the solution to set for two minutes. Wipe the soot and solution off together with a clean rag.