Fireplaces, Heating Stoves, Flues and Chimneys - How to clean a marble fireplace?

Hello!

We just recently moved and I was wondering the proper way to clean marble. I know this may sound like a silly question but you can actually damage marble we were told if you use the wrong chemical. (They never bothered to tell us WHAT to use)

There seems to be a "film" on the marble which we cannot seem to get off by using water. Any ideas what is safe to use other than the old standby?

Thanks!

Herrmann22,

Smoke and soot may be removed from stone fireplaces by the TSP method. Be sure to wear rubber gloves to protect hands from strong alkalis. Dissolve 8 teaspoons (1/2 cup) Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) in 1 gallon of hot water. With stiff scrub brush, scrub stone surface. Rinse with plenty of warm water. Repeat if soot or greasy stain not removed. More TSP may be added if necessary, up to 1 cup per gallon. This is a very strong solution; avoid getting on skin, carpet, or fabrics.

Another link to look at;

http://www.fireplacerenovators.com/cleanmarble.htm

Hope this helps!

Opps! I'm sorry, I should have mentioned this was a self-contained, gas buring fireplace and all I wanted to know was what to use on the marble surround on the "outside" of the fireplace. There is no soot or anything, just a film from whoever installed it. For some strange reason we can't get it off no matter how many times you do the water/sponge/rinse method.

Marble should be cleaned with products that are recommended for natural stone. Perhaps a marble polish will remove residue. If residue is soot, water is not an effective cleaner. Go to www.stonecare.com to learn more about marble cleaning and problem solving.