Best Way to Clean Old Soot of a White Painted Mantle? (how much, my fireplace)

[convextech]

I accidentally left the flue down when I started my first fire last year, and I figured it out, but didn't notice until now that it seems as though soot under the bottom of my mantle is clouding the paint. I tried to wipe it off, but it didn't even budge.


I've looked it up on Google but most people say to try these expensive cleaners that involve airing out the house and wearing gloves.


Is there a safer way to do this?

[davebarnes]

repaint

[K'ledgeBldr]

Originally Posted by davebarnes

repaint

Ding- ding-ding! "Johnny; tell him what he's won!"

[Coldjensens]

Strip the paint and repaint or stain and clearcoat.

[Ottawa2011]

The OP didn't say how much soot was there, and repainting might be overkill.

Latex paints nowadays will let you wipe away lots of grime. Try a "magic eraser" cleaning pad. If that doesn't work, there are great instructions here: How to Clean Soot Stains from Walls: 15 Steps

[talloolla]

I had fairly good luck with cleaning the inside of my fireplace with Krudcutter, bought at Ace Hardware. That was years of soot on porous brick and I am thinking unless the mantle is really stained this may work.

[convextech]

Originally Posted by Ottawa2011

The OP didn't say how much soot was there, and repainting might be overkill.

Latex paints nowadays will let you wipe away lots of grime. Try a "magic eraser" cleaning pad. If that doesn't work, there are great instructions here: How to Clean Soot Stains from Walls: 15 Steps

Originally Posted by talloolla

I had fairly good luck with cleaning the inside of my fireplace with Krudcutter, bought at Ace Hardware. That was years of soot on porous brick and I am thinking unless the mantle is really stained this may work.

Thanks, I will try both of these before repainting

[thecoalman]

Try some dishwasher detergent. Note that is dishwasher detergent, not dishwashing.

We had a house fire and it worked the best, typically soak something so I don't know how that is going to work for you.

[BirdieBelle]

I agree with the Magic Eraser first.