How to Restore Soot-Embedded Limestone

Distinguished by its density and neutral shades, limestone is often used for fireplace facings in homes. Although limestone fireplaces are naturally beautiful, they inevitably accumulate soot from partially combusted carbon. Burning logs at low temperatures often causes soot buildup, which appears as a sticky black powder on limestone fireplaces. Not only is soot unattractive on limestone fireplaces, it makes homes unsanitary. Promptly remove soot from limestone fireplaces to prevent the powdery grime from becoming stuck on. Fortunately, you can restore soot-embedded limestone with standard household cleaning supplies.

Drop cloths
Rubber gloves
2 clean 2-gallon buckets
Stirring utensil
1/4 cup trisodium phosphate cleaner
Spoon
Scrub brush
Absorbent sponge
Thick towel

Instructions

- 1
  Cover the flooring surrounding the soot-stained limestone with drop cloths. Put on rubber gloves before proceeding with a heavy-duty cleaner.
- 2
  Pour 1 gallon of warm water into a clean 2-gallon bucket. Mix 1/4 cup of trisodium phosphate cleaner — powdered granules — into the water.
- 3
  Add 1 gallon of warm water to another clean 2-gallon bucket. Use this water for rinsing.
- 4
  Dip a scrub brush in the heavy-duty cleaning solution. Scrub the limestone with the solution to remove embedded soot. Frequently agitate the brush in the water to rinse soot out of the bristles.
- 5
  Refill the rinse bucket with clean, warm water. Moisten an absorbent sponge in the water, and then wipe the trisodium phosphate off the limestone. Thoroughly rinse the limestone surface.
- 6
  Wipe the rinse water off the limestone, using a thick towel.

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