Ammonia

• Ammonia is an effective ingredient that can remove soot and creosote, although it may be slightly abrasive on your bricks. Combine a small amount of ammonia with dish soap and pumice along with some hot water to create a paste. Rub this mixture onto the bricks with a cloth or brush and allow it to dry. Scrub it off with a wet brush, removing the soot along with it.
  
  

Dish Soap and Salt

• Mixing dish soap with an abrasive such as salt is another method that is effective for cleaning a fireplace. To create an effective cleaner, mix together 1 oz. of liquid dish soap with 1. oz. of table salt. Add a small amount of water and mix to create a creamy paste. After rubbing this mixture into the brick with a cloth, allow it to dry for 10 minutes. Once set, scrub with a stiff brush to remove the soot.
  
  

Oven Cleaner

• Oven cleaner is particularly effective for removing scorch marks from the walls of your fireplace. Whenever you are working with chemical, particularly oven cleaner, wear protection over your hands and eyes. Spray the oven cleaner directly on the walls of your fireplace. Allow it a few minutes to soak into the brick and then use a rag or towel to wipe it off, removing the scorch marks as you go.
  
  

Tri-Sodium Phosphate

• For heavy duty cleaning, tri-sodium phosphate is a harsh chemical that can clean out your fireplace. Use extreme caution when working with tri-sodium phosphate and do not get it on anything but the brick walls of your fireplace. Start by dissolving 8 tbsp. of tri-sodium phosphate in a 1 gallon bucket filled with hot water. Use a stiff brush to scrub the surface of the walls with the solution. When you are finished scrubbing, rinse the walls with warm, clean water and repeat the process if more cleaning is needed. For tougher stains, add more tri-sodium phosphate to your bucket.