How to Take Care of a Manufactured Stone Fireplace

Made of lightweight concrete and molded to replicate the look of natural stone, manufactured stone veneer is a modern building material for fireplaces. While the firebox itself is made of heavy-duty materials, the hearth, mantle, and chimney are clad with faux stone. Manufactured stone is colored with pigments and stains to match the type of stone found in nature, then sealed to maintain the veneer’s integrity. Both indoor and outdoor fireplaces clad in manufactured stone are low maintenance.

Things You’ll Need

Here are 3 ways to clean and take care of your manufactured stone:

1. Vacuum the entire surface of an interior manufactured stone fireplace once a month or more frequently in regions where dust and debris accumulate quickly. Use the brush attachment on the hose of the vacuum cleaner to avoid scratching the seal on the faux stone. Add an extender attachment to the hose to reach higher surfaces. For an exterior fireplace, brush dust and debris from manufactured stone surfaces with a broom.




2. Wipe the hearth, mantle, and any surfaces that can get fingerprints with a soft towel moistened with glass cleaner. Allow the cleaner to dry completely before starting a new fire. Outdoors, spray a manufactured stone fireplace with an exterior window cleaner attached to a garden hose. Rinse residue away thoroughly with clear water through a garden spray nozzle attachment on the hose.




3. Use a manufactured stone cleaner to remove stains or built-up grime that can accumulate on outdoor fireplaces near cooking areas or during construction. Clear the area of furniture and cover the surrounding surfaces with plastic. Dilute the cleaner with water in proportions directed by the manufacturer’s label instructions. Moisten the faux stone with clear water, apply the cleaning solution with a brush or sprayer, then rinse repeatedly with a pressure sprayer.