Cleaning up after you have burned a fire in your wood-burning fireplace may seem like a challenging task. However, it can be simple when you know how to do it properly! Knowing the best ways to clean your fireplace after a fire can also save you valuable time. It is also important to be aware of certain safety precautions when you undergo this chore. All Seasons Chimney would like to help you streamline your fireplace cleaning routine by sharing with you the following tips.
Wait at least 36 hours after the fire has been extinguished to begin cleaning the inside of your fireplace.
You want to make sure the ashes have had plenty of time to cool completely before you start to remove them from the fireplace. Start by laying down a tarp in front of your fireplace. Put on a pair of rubber gloves. Afterwards, take out the charred logs and the grate to place on the tarp. Real Simple recommends sprinkling coffee grounds on the ashes to reduce fly-aways. With a metal shovel, begin scooping ashes into a metal bucket that has a lid. Make sure the lid will shut, so the bucket will stay closed if it is accidentally knocked over. You can empty the bucket into your outside trash. However, wait a few days to make sure any lingering hot coals have quit burning.
You are now ready to clean the exterior of your fireplace.
If you have a brick fireplace, you will first spray it with water and then with a hearth cleaner. If the bricks are older than 50 years old, just use water. Scrub the bricks clean with a brush. Afterwards, spray again lightly with water and then wipe with a soft cloth. If your fireplace is iron, you will first spray it with hearth cleaner and then with water. Finally, you will dry it with paper towels. To clean marble and stone fireplaces, start by spraying with water. Wipe the fireplace using three soft cloths. One with dish-washing liquid, one that has been dampened with cool water, and one to dry at the end. Your fireplace doors can also be cleaned with hearth cleaner by wiping down one panel at a time. Be sure to remove the cleaner before it dries!
You should be doing this cleaning routine once a month to keep your fireplace working safely and efficiently. Contact us at All Seasons Chimney for all of your chimney and fireplace maintenance, repair, and installation needs.
Your fireplace is one of the most popular areas in your home, and you want to be sure this area is set up as perfectly as popular. Having a set of fireplace tools can make tasks, like tending to the fire and cleaning up after each fire, much easier, but you should also consider installing glass doors and a screen in front of the fireplace. Both of these fireplace components have excellent benefits that can improve your safety, the energy efficiency of your home, and the appearance of your hearth. All Seasons Chimney & Masonry would like to tell you more about the advantages of fireplace screens and glass fireplace doors so you can understand exactly why they are so important.