Solving a Stinky Fireplace | Removing the Smell of Urine (and Nature's Miracle) from Interior Bricks

We discovered the smell of urine when removing an old fireplace cover in preparation for a wood-burning stove. We tried a number of different strategies and finally got rid of the smell!
0:00 Preparing for a wood-burning stove, we removed the metal fireplace cover
1:15 The smell of urine was overwhelming
1:40 First I tried vacuuming and a mixture of vinegar and water (didn't work)
2:00 Enter Nature's Miracle
3:08 Regretting Nature's Miracle, I try baking soda, soap and water
4:08 A little history of our fireplace
4:47 A good idea for testing the look of whitewashed bricks
5:05 Full details on the baking soda and soap strategy
8:37 Get a better brush than mine...
8:46 A tip on cleaning off the baking soda
9:19 If I had it to do all over again...

[@janeharden1163]

Put your bookshelf where the photos bookshelf is! I would think that squirrels and other critters have built nest up in the fireplace. Just build a good fire and that will illuminate the odor

[@callahan1967]

We had critter leftover nests and such in one of ours. We cleaned it up, put it back together. It was recommended during Indiana Landmarks visit that we not try to use any of the fireplaces. I was disappointed but my husband feels pretty good about it. lol
My personal thoughts as a historic home owner is to appreciate the history but make it home, your home. Your home, your rules. Linda Smith Davis has a channel you may enjoy. Keep up the good work!! Im enjoying your channel!!

[@betweentwobrooks]

Thanks for watching!

[@lolodee3528]

Ground Coffee. Refrigerated trailers which haul food can retain odors. I’ve seen semi drivers shake ground coffee through the inside of a smelly trailer. Leave it. Maybe make a paste of it with something and smear it and perhaps cover it for awhile with foil or plastic? Just an idea.

[@lolodee3528]

Also those activated charcoal packets? Maybe place a few inside, then seal it with plastic for a few days?

[@betweentwobrooks]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@cathleencumpton779]

A black the black buildup inside of a fireplace or anything would be called soot. It may have been a dog but couldn't have been that some critter lived in or used that fireplace/chimney to enter the property at some point. Perhaps it's from a raccoon or possums.

[@suzannegrace9006]

The person who told you not to ruin this Colonial house was CORRECT! SINCE you two are not experts on homes of this era, you should find an expert on Colonial homes to come see your home and tell you how to get things done correctly. Dont remove things as a starter. The post in your kitchen I'm certain is an important support. Leave it alone, it's been covered with this pretty wood. I'm thinking those living room floors are NOT original! Those floor boards would have been wide boards, according to what I've seen. There is a young guy on tv , I think he is in Bucks Co. PENNSYLVANIA. I would think you could find his name by calling one of the town halls or a library, or even a real estate office. He does authentic renovations and he is fantastic. Find out what an evaluation by him would cost. A local historic society could give you a name of a local person who would come help you, maybe even for free.
Before doing much....get expert help. For now, I would just clean and I would paint the kitchen, cabinets and walls. Not sure I would remove the mantel. Probably colonial keeping rooms had a beam, not a fancy surround mantel. A cute small mantel, ( think of Christmas decore) for candles. Etc. You are soooo lucky to have that butlers pantry, although, lol, the home owners never had a butler person . Lol. Go carefully. I would replace that makeshift counter in the butlers pantry with wood. If your floors are not original, forgive me, you could paint them dark forest green. A restorer would kill me for saying that. Clean good, fix anything that is a danger to the structure.
Also. Lowes has steel bulk heads for around $500. That is what I would replace yours with.
Enjoy living in it. With 2 children and a mom...your work will take time. I can just see a Xmas tree in that living room. Oh, have the electrical checked out by a certified electrician. Good luck!!!

[@betweentwobrooks]

You are correct, the floors are not original. Almost all of the original floors are gone unfortunately. We have had a local expert on historic homes out for an evaluation, keep an eye out for a video about his visit. Thanks for the tip on the steel bulkheads, I am researching them now!