How to Clean Fake Brick

Anyone who has ever had a home with fake brick lining a wall knows how difficult it is to clean, especially when it’s located in a kitchen where grease tends to settle. Dust sticks to grease particles, and before long, it looks like something other than brick. Fake brick covered with grease, grime, and dust makes an otherwise clean home look anything but clean, however, it doesn’t have to be a continual problem. Try the following method for cleaning the fake brick in your home. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to clean using the following cleaning solution, and you can easily protect it to make future cleaning easier than ever.

Precautionary Statement

The following instructions are for the type of fake brick that is very similar to actual grouted varieties. Do not use this procedure to clean plastic, paper, tile, ceramic, or any other type of fake brick that is not durable. When in doubt, test a small inconspicuous area before cleaning a larger area. For best results, consult product label instructions or the manufacturer before cleaning any other type of fake brick.

Always wear goggles or safety glasses and rubber gloves when working with ammonia, and provide adequate ventilation. Never mix ammonia with bleach or other household chemicals or cleaning products, and keep kids and pets out of the area while cleaning with the following cleaning solution.

Required Supplies

You’ll need 8 cups of hot water, 2 cups of powdered bleach-free laundry soap, 1 pound of powdered pumice stone (available in major hardware stores or online), and 1 cup of ammonia. You’ll also need 2 utility buckets, a stirring stick, clean rags, and a soft-bristled scrub brush.

Procedure

Begin mixing the solution to clean your fake brick by combining powdered laundry soap and water. Add the ammonia and ground pumice stone, and stir the mixture thoroughly. While wearing rubber gloves and eye protection, scrub the fake brick to remove any dust, dirt, and grease. Finish by filling the second bucket with clean water, and thoroughly rinse it with a rag.

Treating Fake Brick for Easier Cleaning

The task of cleaning fake brick will be much less challenging if it has first been sealed with a light coating of linseed oil. You can find linseed oil in arts and crafts stores as well as paint supply stores, and it’s relatively inexpensive. Simply coat the fake brick with a thin layer of linseed oil using a clean dry cloth. After the linseed oil dries, the fake brick will be much easier to clean, and it will look much better as a result.