There’s nothing quite like curling up in front of a cozy fire during the cooler months. However, keeping your fireplace clean is essential not just for aesthetics but for safety. A neglected fireplace can lead to unsightly stains, poor air quality, and even serious fire hazards. Thankfully, with a bit of know how, cleaning your fireplace can be a straightforward task. In this guide, we’ll cover how to clean different types of fireplaces wood burning, gas, and electric. So you can enjoy your hearth safely and beautifully all season long.
Why It’s Important to Clean Your Fireplace Regularly
Regular fireplace cleaning is crucial for several reasons. First, it helps prevent the buildup of creosote, a highly flammable substance that can cause dangerous chimney fires. Second, a clean fireplace ensures better air quality in your home by reducing soot and ash particles. Lastly, maintaining your fireplace’s cleanliness preserves its appearance, allowing it to be a beautiful focal point in your home.
Preparing to Clean Your Fireplace
Before diving into the cleaning process, it’s important to prepare properly to avoid injury and protect your home.
Gather Your Supplies
Depending on the type of fireplace you have, you’ll need different cleaning supplies:
- Wood-burning fireplace: Whisk broom, dustpan, liquid dish detergent, nylon bristle scrub brushes, trisodium phosphate (TSP), household bleach, bucket, razor blade, paper towels, and white vinegar.
- Gas fireplace: Nylon bristle scrub brushes, shop vac, cleaning rags, and fireplace glass cleaner.
- Electric fireplace: Shop vac, soft brush, microfiber cloth, and metal polish.
Safety Precautions
- Cool Down: Wait at least 12 hours after your last fire to ensure the fireplace is completely cool.
- Protect Surroundings: Cover the area around the fireplace with drop cloths or plastic sheeting to protect floors and furniture from soot and dust.
- Protect Yourself: Wear old clothes, rubber gloves, and a dust mask to avoid inhaling potentially harmful particles. If you’ll be kneeling, use a thick towel or knee pads to protect your knees.
How to Clean a Wood Burning Fireplace
Step 1: Remove Ashes and Debris
Using a small shovel or whisk broom, carefully remove ashes and dust from the fireplace. Collect the ashes in a dustpan and dispose of them in a heavy-duty paper bag or garbage can. Sweep any remaining dust and ashes off the grate and andirons.
Step 2: Clean the Grate and Andirons
Take the grate and andirons outside for cleaning. Apply a few teaspoons of dish detergent to a water-dampened scrubbing brush, wet the metal components, scrub until sudsy, and rinse thoroughly. Dry them completely before setting them aside.
Step 3: Clean the Fireplace Walls
Back at the fireplace, use a dry bristle brush to sweep each wall from top to bottom, removing as much soot and creosote as possible. Repeat as needed until the walls are relatively clean.
Step 4: Deep Clean with TSP Solution
Mix 3 tablespoons of TSP, ½ cup of bleach, and a quart of hot water in a bucket. Fill a spray bottle with this solution and spray the fireplace walls and floor. Allow the solution to sit for 5 minutes before wiping it off. Repeat the process if necessary.
Step 5: Clean the Glass Doors
For glass doors with heavy buildup, gently scrape off the thickest deposits with a razor blade. Then, clean the glass using a solution of white vinegar and water, or a commercial fireplace glass cleaner.
How to Clean a Gas Fireplace
Step 1: Turn Off the Gas
Ensure the gas supply is turned off by checking that the valve leading from the wall is in the off position. Make sure the pilot light is out before proceeding.
Step 2: Disassemble and Clean the Components
Carefully remove the logs and, if possible, the burner. Take these pieces outside and use a stiff bristle brush to remove dust, dirt, and soot. Inspect each component for damage such as cracks or burn marks.
Step 3: Vacuum and Clean the Hearth
Use a shop vac or hand vac to remove dust and cobwebs from the hearth. If your gas fireplace has tiny decorative stones, cover the vacuum nozzle with nylon to prevent sucking up the stones.
Step 4: Clean the Glass and Metal Parts
Clean the glass doors with a special fireplace glass cleaner, avoiding standard glass cleaners like Windex, which can damage the glass. Wipe down any metal parts with a soft cloth to remove soot and dust.
Step 5: Reassemble the Fireplace
Using the photo you took earlier (or the owner’s manual as a guide), reassemble the logs and burner. Turn the gas back on, and check the exterior vent to ensure it’s clear of debris.
How to Clean an Electric Fireplace
Step 1: Turn Off and Unplug the Fireplace
Begin by turning off the fireplace and unplugging it from the power source. If it’s hardwired, turn off the circuit breaker that powers the unit.
Step 2: Vacuum and Dust
Open the glass doors or remove the glass shield, and vacuum out dust and dirt from the vents and blower using a hose attachment.
Step 3: Wipe Down Surfaces
Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the inside and outside of the fireplace, including the heating box and the mirror or light source.
Step 4: Clean and Polish
Gently clean the ember bed, logs, and other decorative elements with a soft brush or vacuum attachment. Finally, use metal polish to shine any metal surfaces.
How to Clean A Glass Door Fireplace Glass Doors
Step 1: Choose the Right Cleaner
For light cleaning, mix a 50-50 solution of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. For tougher stains, consider using a commercial fireplace glass cleaner designed to remove soot and creosote.
Step 2: Clean the Glass
Spray the solution onto the glass and wipe it clean using circular motions to avoid streaks. For heavy buildup, apply a commercial cream cleaner and scrub gently with a soft cloth.
How to Clean the Fireplace Exterior
Step 1: Prepare the Surface
If your fireplace front is more than 50 years old, avoid scouring to prevent damage. Instead, vacuum the area to remove dust and soot.
Step 2: Scrub and Rinse
Mix ¼ cup of liquid dish detergent with 1 gallon of water in a bucket. Lightly spray the fireplace facing with water, then scrub with the detergent solution using a brush. Rinse the area with clean water and dry with rags or paper towels.
Step 3: Final Touches
Replace the cleaned grate or andirons, and carefully dispose of your drop cloths. Clean your tools with dish detergent and water.
Bonus Tip: What to Do with Fireplace Ashes
Reuse Ashes in the Garden
Before discarding your fireplace ashes, consider using them in your garden. Ashes provide essential nutrients like calcium and potassium for plants that thrive in low-acidity soil. They can also act as a natural deterrent for slugs and snails.
Conclusion
Regular cleaning of your fireplace, regardless of the type, ensures it functions safely and remains an attractive feature in your home. Whether you have a wood-burning, gas, or electric fireplace, following these steps will help you keep it clean and in good working order. Remember to prioritize safety by allowing your fireplace to cool before cleaning and by following the specific instructions for your fireplace type.
FAQs
How often should you clean your fireplace?
Wood-burning fireplaces should be cleaned after every use or at least every other use to prevent buildup. Gas and electric fireplaces typically require cleaning about once a year.
How do you clean fireplace doors?
Remove the doors and lay them flat. Clean with a 50-50 vinegar and water solution or a commercial fireplace glass cleaner, scrubbing gently to remove soot and ash.
How often should you clean your chimney?
Your chimney should be professionally cleaned once a year, ideally in late summer or early fall before the heating season begins.
