Stone, bricks, marble and wood are among the most popular surfaces for fireplace surrounds. Here’s how to clean them.

There are few better ways to spend a chilly winter’s day than in front of a cozy fireplace. But even if you use your fireplace only once or twice a season, it still needs to be cleaned and cared for correctly. Of all the things you can clean with just soap and water, soot is not one of them. Cleaning soot around your fireplace can create a huge mess unless you do it the right way. Let’s look at some ways you can clean fireplace surrounds in a variety of popular surfaces.