Table of Contents1 Wait a Day2 Gather Your Tools3 Interior4 Exterior5 Clean Your Custom Fireplace for Ultimate Comfort and Relaxation Dirty fireplaces are the root cause behind over 30% of heating-related home fires. With a good cleaning regimen, you’ll keep your family safe from this kind of risk. You’ll also ensure every use of the fireplace creates memories full of smiles and happiness. This is why we’ve put together this guide to help you learn how to clean your custom fireplace no matter which style you own. Listed down below are all the steps you’ll need to take to keep your fireplace sparkling clean and free from any health hazards. Continue reading to learn all about our fireplace cleaning tips! Wait a Day Regardless of your fireplace’s style or age, the first thing to do is to wait at least 14 hours before you attempt any kind of cleaning. This gives the fireplace ample time to cool down and makes the entire process safer for you. Make sure to take note of the last time you used the fireplace, and then wait a day. You can use this time to clear away any furniture or decorative pieces that are near the fireplace. Lay down some protective sheets of plastic or old cloth to keep any soot or residue from getting onto the rest of your home. Gather Your Tools Certain items make fireplace care more convenient. Having them all collected in one place makes the rest of the cleaning process go smoothly. These tools include: Dustpan Fireplace brush Rags and paper towels Vacuum with a maneuverable hose Stiff-bristled brush Spray bottle Bucket filled with warm water Protective mask Gloves Trashcan With these things in your hands, you’re ready to get to cleaning! Interior Not all fireplaces require the same kind of cleaning. Depending on the way the fireplace provides its heat, you’ll need different steps to give it the right kind of care. Wood-Burning Fireplace Due to the burning of organic material, wood-burning fireplaces are the ones that need the most frequent cleaning. Without this kind of maintenance, you’ll expose yourself to harmful smoke inhalation from the excess amount of soot and ash. Begin by removing any debris and leftover wood pieces inside the fireplace. Use a broom to brush along the entire interior to remove any caked-on ash. Repeat this process several times as a lot of ash could remain behind after the first time. To help clear away any ash that’s clinging to the walls, use a spray bottle filled with water and a teaspoon of bleach. Dampen the entire interior and let it sit for a few minutes. The strength of the bleach seeps into the buildup of soot and makes it easier to scrub away. Use a stiff-bristled brush with some warm water to scrub the interior of the fireplace. Wipe away the gunky excess with paper towels or rags. Gas Fireplace Gas fireplace cleaning is a less intensive job when compared to a wood-burning one. The most vital step is to make certain the entire machine is turned off, including the gas valve. This prevents any gas leakage problems while you’re cleaning the fireplace. Start by using a vacuum to get rid of dust and debris from the interior. You’ll need to remove the logs and other pieces to get a thorough cleaning but sometimes a quick vacuuming is all you need for peak performance. A stiff-bristled brush is the best way to get rid of soot caught in the metal sections of the fireplace. Using a damp rag, wipe down the entire interior and remove any remaining blemishes. Use a gentle touch to avoid damaging the walls. If you’ve disassembled the fireplace for a thorough cleaning, put it back together with care. Check with your owner’s manual if you get stuck. Electric Fireplace One of the biggest benefits of electric fireplaces is the fact that they’re the cleanest option. You don’t need to worry about cleaning them as much as other options since they don’t burn any organic material. This doesn’t prevent dust, cobwebs, or other dirt from getting into the system. With a quick cleaning, you’ll have your fireplace back in perfect condition in no time. The crucial first step is to turn off the fireplace and unplug it from any electrical currents. If the fireplace doesn’t have an external plug, you’ll need to switch off the circuit breaker that connects to the fireplace. Use your vacuum to clear away dust from the interior of the fireplace as well as the vents and fans. Once the loose debris is gone, you’ll have no trouble using a dampened cloth to wipe down the interior. This gets rid of any remaining bits of dust. Exterior As the part you see the most, the exterior of your fireplace needs as much love as the interior. With a few quick steps, you’ll have a beautiful fireplace once again! Brick Brick is the trickiest material to clean due to its texture and shape. If your brick is old, you’ll need to be extra careful with it. Your trusty vacuum is the best way to clean brick since it can easily get into the nooks and crannies. Avoid scrubbing at the brick or else you could end up damaging the material. A gentle wiping with a soft and damp rag should be enough to get any lingering soot. Glass If your fireplace includes glass in its design, you’ll want to make sure it maintains its clear sheen. When there’s a lot of buildup on the glass, spray a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar to soak into the glass. The vinegar helps loosen the gunk from the glass and makes it possible to wipe it away. Don’t scrub at the glass or you could end up scratching it. Instead, repeat the soaking and wiping process until it shines like new! Clean Your Custom Fireplace for Ultimate Comfort and Relaxation Knowing how to clean your custom fireplace gives … Continue reading How to Clean Your Custom Fireplace