How to Clean a Fireplace Step by Step Guide

The cold is coming, and it’s time to turn on all of our heating systems so that we can maintain a pleasant temperature at home. If you have a fireplace, you will soon begin to use it, but it is critical to inspect its health after months of inactivity.

Cleaning the fireplace is a simple procedure, but it is crucial because it ensures that the combustion and smoke exit are carried out correctly, ensuring safety. There are a variety of mechanical and chemical ways for completing the work and safely enjoying the warmth of your fireplace. In this post, we’ll show you how to clean a fireplace and some tips for keeping it gleaming both inside and out.

How to Clean a Fireplace Mechanically

What is the best way to clean a wood-burning fireplace? When cleaning a wood fireplace, the goal is to remove all soot that has accumulated on the walls and extractor tube over time and with more or less frequent use. Professional chimney sweeps can do it swiftly and safely, which is especially important if we’re talking about an ancient fireplace that hasn’t been used in years and is really dirty, but you can also clear the dust yourself in most circumstances.

A sturdy, robust, and light bristle brush is all you need to sweep a chimney mechanically. The rod or guide on this sort of chimney brush is usually extensible and flexible, allowing it to be readily placed into the extractor tube. Take note of the following steps:

Cover the area near the fireplace with plastic or cardboard to prevent soot from falling and damaging the floor or neighbouring furniture during the cleaning process.
Wear safety glasses and a mask to protect your eyes and avoid inhaling ash residue when cleaning. It’s also a good idea to wear gloves.
Of course, make sure the fireplace is fully cold before you begin.
Sweeping the tube is the first step, and it’s as simple as placing the brush inside and scraping the soot out. What is the best way to clean a brick or brick fireplace? The brush will not damage the sturdy fire bricks and will be effective in cleaning ash and other pollutants like as resin residues and creosote.
When the tube is clean, run the brush over the walls and bottom of the fireplace’s combustion region.
All that’s left now is to collect the soot and the remainder of the loose debris with a small shovel and a chimney brush, or vacuum it up with a vacuum cleaner.

How to Clean a Fireplace with Chemicals

When it comes to leaving the fireplace spotless and ready for the next use, there is another alternative. Different products are available on the market to help you achieve it in an easy manner. This type of chimney cleaner is very good for maintenance cleaning, which must be done on a regular basis throughout the season of use (every 15 days or a month). Chimney sweep logs and chimney cleaning bags are the most frequent, and they perform the same function and are used in the same way (always respecting the indications indicated for the use of each product). In this situation, you’ll need to start the chemical cleansing by lighting the fire.

Light the fireplace and allow it to heat up for about 30 minutes, as this will allow the product to more easily release the soot.
After this time has passed, put the trunk (typically with its covering) or the bag on the fire and let it burn normally, since they will clean the house while they are consumed.
To remove the ashes and traces of dirt that have been dropping, wait for the fire to burn out and the fireplace to be fully cold again.

Other Methods of Cleaning a Fireplace

Do you want to learn how to clean a fireplace in your own home? There are a few strategies that can help you out, especially if you’re doing a maintenance cleaning. For example, if you wish to get rid of persistent stains on a brick fireplace, follow these steps:

Dip your cleaning brush in a solution made up of half a litre of water and two tablespoons of vinegar.
After a few minutes of rubbing, you should be able to remove the stubborn black stains that the chimney sweep failed to remove.

The baking soda can also help you do: