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Warm weather means it's time to give your wood-burning fireplace a cleaning and remove the ash that's built up over the winter.

14May

Author: Burning Log

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DIY Tips to Make Cleaning Your Wood Fireplace Easy

Now that warm weather is finally here, you can take a break from using your wood-burning fireplace to give it a much-needed spring cleaning. Wood-burning fireplaces are fairly easy to clean, but if you want to clean your chimney, contact the chimney cleaning experts to get the job done safely and professionally. A chimney should be cleaned at least once a year.

Here are a few easy tips for cleaning your fireplace and making it look beautiful again!

Get the Right Supplies

Gather these cleaning supplies (and make sure your fireplace has cooled down completely) before starting to clean your wood-burning fireplace:

  • Bleach and TSP, or regular white vinegar, cream of tartar, and baking soda for a natural approach;
  • Drop cloth and a large bucket;
  • Metal waste bin with lid;
  • Protective mask, eyewear, and gloves;
  • Rags or towels and a shop vac;
  • Stiff-bristled nylon brush; and,
  • Warm water.

Use the Right Technique

Now that you’ve got the right tools, it’s time to get down to work!

  • Use the drop cloth to cover your floor by the fireplace. Bring your andirons and log holder outside, spray with a hose, and gently scrub. You can also polish these with a non-flammable metal polish.
  • Shovel ash out from the fireplace into the metal waste bin and use the shop vac to remove any leftover ash.
  • Loosen stuck ash and debris with the nylon brush and clean with the Shop Vac.
  • In large bucket, combine 3.8 litres of warm water with 1 cup of bleach and 6 tablespoons of TSP.
  • Wear gloves while scrubbing the walls, surroundings, and floor with the cleaning solution and nylon brush.
  • Use a wet cloth (not dripping) to wipe and rinse off solution. Pat dry with a towel.
  • For a natural approach, fill a spray bottle with 50% warm water and 50% vinegar and spray both inside and outside of the fireplace. Be sure to avoid any wood parts. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Spray all over again and scrub with the nylon brush. Repeat until satisfied.
  • Dissolve a few tablespoons of baking soda in water and spray or wipe over fireplace to neutralize vinegar.
  • For tough spots, mix a bit of water and 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar to make a paste. Cover the tough spots with this paste and allow to sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Scrub off with the nylon brush and warm water.
  • If your fireplace has glass doors, use a fireplace glass cleaning product that is safe to use in wood-burning fireplaces. Apply glass cleaner to a clean dry cloth and rub on the inside of the glass door until clean. Allow to dry. Use another clean dry cloth to rub (buff) remaining cleaner off.

Since the warm weather is here, you no longer need to rely on your fireplace often and you can finally clean it. So take advantage of the spring-cleaning season and use these simple tips to clean your wood-burning fireplace and make it look great again.