Lots of DIY instructions for cleaning the fireplace can be found online. Do that first and then check with Romabio if you decide you want to spruce it up even more to better match your inspopic. You need to upgrade the lighting, adding floor and table lamps and LEDs in the 3500-4000K range. Is it possible to put in some can lights? Avoiding chunky, dark furniture will help as well.

What is the best cleaner to remove soot?

Trisodium phosphate (TSP) is regarded as the best product for removing soot. If it is not available in your area, there are similar soot removers that are phosphate-free (TSP-PF) You can also create a mixture of water and a dishwashing liquid that contains a degreaser.Jun 30, 2022

Blue Dawn DISH soap........: ) and a scrub brush. Only the blue, please.

DH says to CO2 blast it. TSP if you can find it agreed but the stuff they sell at the big box store labeled at TSP is not what it used to be!!! But first you need to fix the issue. We have a similar fireplace and NO SOOT is on the outside. There's something wrong with the draw or glass doors for you to get that soot.

I thought about using this product, but my brick cleaned nicely using TSP and a scrub brush and my fireplace is huge - this would have cost a fortune to do a 10' wide floor to ceiling space.

For your river rock it may work beautifully.

https://www.amazon.com/CHIMNEYRX-Paint-Fireplace-Cleaner-Gallon/dp/B00CFLE2UQ/ref=asc_df_B00CFLE2UQ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=194026055947&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7929818841652711179&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1025011&hvtargid=pla-334814716994&psc=1

Someone didn't know how to create a draft, or lord knows what lurks up there. Any Girl Scout can tell you......you hold some kindling up there to warm the flu..get a decent draft going.before you attempt a blaze : )

Soot needs elbow grease. Boiling hot water, dawn dish suds and the very stiff scrub.

I use TSP and a scrub brush to clean my stone FP I have the back of my FP as a wall behind my range so it gets greasey and once a year I clean it. When we boght the house the FP was firthy this made the stone look awesome . The last time I did it I used th new phosphate free one not quite as good but did the job. Yes before you use that FP get it checked and the chimney cleaned and checked . I aslo use the blue dawn and vinegar mix for other heavy duty cleaning .

Since you just bought the place, it would be a good idea to get the chimney swept, too, if you have not already done.

That amount of soot on the face of the FP could be caused by a lot of things already suggested--cold starts (not building a small fire to warm the chimney), burning resinous woods like pine and a dirty chimney that needs sweeping. The first two result in a chimney accumulating soot/ creosote more quickly.

Other factors influence chimney draw like chimney not extending high enough past the roof, house siting (in a valley), being surrounded by tall trees...

Thank you all very much for the tips on the cleaning and about getting it checked! I’m not well versed in fireplaces so that’s good to know that it’s not normal, HA! This is also my first time using this app, so not quite sure if I can comment to you each Individually? @decoenthusiate - thank you for the suggestion of Romabio as I had not heard of them before. We are definitely going to try and put some can lights in!

Knowing my own fear of chemicals, I’ll probably try the phosphate free tsp and dawn first to see if that works for the cleaning, haha. We will be going up this weekend to the cabin to work on it so I’ll give updates!

In your first photo, it almost looks like the stones have been coated with some sort of sealer, making them appear shiny. This might just be the photo. Always test before doing anything with chemicals on stone. Start with Dawn first….

@ptreckel I noticed the shiny as well and was wondering if that would be an issue. If Dawn doesn’t work, does anyone have experience with Quick N Brite? It appeals to me as I’ve read it’s less harsh on the chemicals

June, if there is a sealant on the stone, that might be your friend! The soot may well just be on the surface of the sealant. That is why I would try first with the Dawn dishwashing liquid, full strength, and a soft brush! Please keep us informed of what works. Start gently….

It's natural stone. Try a heavy duty stone cleaner and a stiff brush (wire brush might be needed) dawn should also be ok