Removing Smoke
Smoke is really hard to remove. Washing it off with plain water alone may not be enough to take away the stain even when using brushes with stiff bristles. It would be recommendable to use active cleaning agents, preferably imbued with bleach when brushing off this stubborn stain. The use of alkali detergents or any emulsifying agents would also help in taking them away; apply any of these cleaning agents to a brush with hard bristles or spray them on the surface for some time for it to effectively work on the stains. These chemical composed cleaning agents usually require some time to soften stains so that eventually it would be easier to remove it with a brush or any damp cloth. For stronger and more stubborn stains you may use trichloroethylene. This will take away the stain from the pores. However, be cautious in using trichloroethylene, ventilate the fumes when cleaning.

Dealing with Soot
When removing soot, children’ moulding clay does a good job. Press the moulding dough onto the brick to lift the soot off. Be very careful not to remove any surface material from the fireplace. Or you could use strong household vinegar, soak it into a brush, work it up by brushing a portion at a time. Slowly build your way up until every stained part is covered.

Bucket and Brush Method
Probably the most famous method of cleaning of them all in cleaning brick masonry, also the traditional way. It became popular as to widely used because of its simplicity and the presence of readily available cleaning compounds.

But before you get down to it, you must first discern the right cleaning solution to use.

1. When using propriety compounds, make sure you chose the ones that are suitable for bricks and make certain to follow the product’s dilution manual. Too much may cause discoloration of the bricks or otherwise may not apply any effect at all in the cleaning process. There are particular commercial cleaning solution products in the market specialized for brick cleaning them up. You can look for them in your next shopping schedule.
2. Detergent soaps can also be used to remove dirt, soil or mud stuck in between brick seams during construction.
3. Acid solutions provide strong solution to stain problems as much as it gives the same amount of threat to your fireplace bricks. So be very careful when using acid for cleaning up the fireplace. It would be advisable to mix a 10 percent solution of HCL or muriatic acid, 9 parts plain water and 1 part HCL, and mix in a non-metallic container.

Always bear in mind though to not overdo cleaning, like excessive brushing in one portion or heavy pressing on the surface while using brushes with steel or hard bristles. This may destroy the paint finish in your bricks, even the new ones.