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At any time when a brand new pal comes over, one of many first issues they are saying to me is that I’m “so fortunate” to have an uncovered brick wall in my residence. That is true, for essentially the most half, as a result of it is fairly and comfortable and has that basic New York vibe.
It isn’t totally true that I am fortunate, although, as a result of it is large. It’s about 9 toes tall and 17 toes huge, which is a lot of brick to deal with. I do not know the way (and I’m too scared to strive) to place nails in it, so past the one nail leftover from a earlier tenant who was braver than I’m, there is no option to hold any artwork, which leaves me with a ton of house to wash and cope with.
What I’ve realized in my seven years of tending to this behemoth is that simply because I am unable to see the filth on the darkish purple bricks does not imply the wall is clear. Quite the opposite, the porous materials collects a whole lot of grime and should be recurrently handled. This is how I clear my brick wall with out damaging it.
Salt and dish cleaning soap work nicely (with a caveat)
Earlier than you begin cleansing the brick with any liquid or different agent, it is best to give it a fast vacuuming. Little crumbles of brick and mortar, plus mud and different particles, will come proper off and it will prevent a whole lot of time while you get to scrubbing. I exploit my trusty Bissell Featherweight for this so I do not overburden the pads on my fancier vacuum.
The primary method I like to make use of for brick cleansing is a paste product of plain salt and dish cleaning soap. I do not measure it, however reasonably pour some dish cleaning soap right into a bowl, then add salt and stir it in till it kinds a thick paste. From there, I slather it evenly throughout the part of wall I wish to clear and let it sit for about 10 minutes. In case you discover that your bricks get a white movie on them, that is truly a type of salt itself, however this gritty paste is a straightforward option to take away it.
The paste (center) works nicely for cleansing, however leaves salt in pits and holes (proper), so you’ll want to dig it out.
Credit score: Lindsey Ellefson
After the combination has sat on there some time, I take a moist rag and wipe it down. You would possibly wish to put some newspaper or plastic tarp beneath the world the place you are working, since a whole lot of the paste sloughs off. It is also good to make use of a bucket of water to repeatedly moist and rinse your rag. You are going to want it. The soap-and-salt combination does not precisely come off simply. It sudses up, spreads round, and takes about three or 4 passes of the rag to totally disappear.
You additionally have to be cautious when you’ve got pitting or gaps wherever within the wall (like I do). The salt paste lodges in there and you will must dig it out. That is undoubtedly a time-intensive course of, but it surely does get the bricks good and clear.
Vinegar and water work, too
For a faster wipe-down, equal elements vinegar and water work simply positive. You’ll be able to combine it in a twig bottle, spritz it on, and wipe it off, or whip it up in a bucket and dampen a rag or sponge with it. The acidity dissolves filth and makes it come off simply, so you will see quick outcomes. You continue to need to rinse every part down with plain water on a clear rag while you’re achieved as a result of if you happen to go away it on the brick, it could possibly dissolve or injury it.
Ew: The vinegar method removes a whole lot of filth.
Credit score: Lindsey Ellefson
As we speak, I added a number of drops of dish cleaning soap only for some additional cleansing energy. It labored nice and, as I might hoped, counteracted the stink of the vinegar a bit, but it surely’s not obligatory. This methodology actually pulls filth and dirt off the wall, so be ready with a heavy-duty material.
This works higher when you do not wish to spend a very long time scrubbing an abrasive, bubbly concoction off your wall. Do that each different month or so and save the salt and cleaning soap for a twice-a-year activity.
