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Sep 28, 2023

How to Clean Every Type of Fireplace the Right Way

Follow these expert-approved tips to clean your chimney and fire accessories, too. When the weather turns cold and wet, our homes are a warm respite—and where we spend so much of our time during the

Follow these expert-approved tips to clean your chimney and fire accessories, too.

When the weather turns cold and wet, our homes are a warm respite—and where we spend so much of our time during the chilliest months of the year. If your house has a fireplace, even better. The welcome heat and gentle flicker of the flames are soothing to say the least. However, your fireplace needs some routine cleaning and care to stay in its best—and safest—working condition. Follow these steps to get your fireplace clean, along with your chimney and accessories (including fire stokers and shovels).

Of all the things you need to get done this winter, cleaning out your fireplace or chimney might not be at the top of the list. Experts say it should be a priority, though—especially if yours hasn't been cleaned in a few years.

The reason why? One of the main causes of chimney fires is the build-up of creosote, a byproduct of burning wood in the chimney interior, says Andrew Wilson, a home improvement contractor from Contractor Advisorly. "While you can take certain steps to reduce the amount of creosote that gets created, you can't prevent it from growing, which makes cleaning your chimney a must-do task," he says.

Another incentive for cleaning your fireplace and chimney is that it makes them more energy efficient. "As debris builds up, it will often clog up the chimney flue liner," he says. "When the liner gets clogged, it can inhibit fire operation."

While there is no single standard for how often you should clean your fireplace and chimney, once a year (at least) is recommended—especially if you use it frequently, says Wilson. Otherwise, clean your fireplaces during the peak season, if you smell burning wood, or if you see soot.

Overall, fireplaces require similar cleaning routines, says Traci Fournier, the vice president of operations at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning. As a general rule of thumb, always remove creosote buildup (again, to avoid risk of chimney fire) and inspect the chimney for cracks, so smoke won't leak into the house, she adds.

Follow Fournier's steps for how to clean a fireplace:

Follow Fournier's additional tips to clean the particular type of fireplace you have in your home.

Follow the above steps and care for the marble surround by cleaning it with a microfiber cloth and a gentle all-purpose cleanser. Avoid hot water, as it can damage the finish, she says.

Aside from following the aforementioned steps, use a gentle dish soap and warm water to wipe away dirt and stains when cleaning the stonework. "Allow stone to fully dry and be mindful not to oversaturate the stone with water, as it can leave watermarks," says Fournier.

Care for brick fireplaces by following the above tips and mixing equal parts warm water and vinegar in a spray bottle. "Spray the mixture over the bricks and allow to sit for five minutes," says Fournier. "Blot at stains or grime with a sponge, using more of the vinegar mixture if needed." If you see stuck-on grime or dirt in the crevices of the bricks, she says to use a firm bristle brush to get rid of the debris; then, allow it to dry.

After going through the general fireplace cleaning steps, care for cast iron by wiping the surface with only methylated spirit and a soft cloth, says Fournier. For fading or color wearing, use an iron polish or WD40 to restore its shine.

Service chimneys regularly and call in a professional cleaner if needed to keep things running smoothly and avoid home hazards, says Fournier.

To clean your chimney's exterior, follow these steps:

To clean the interior of your chimney, follow these steps:

When it comes to cleaning your glass fireplace doors, you have a few options. Either use a store-bought glass cleaner or a homemade mixture of 1 cup of vinegar and 3 cups of water, says Mallory Micetich, a home expert at Angi.

Follow these steps to clean the door:

The tools you use to tend to a roaring fire, like tongs, fire pokers, shovels, brushes, and fireplace fillers, should also be refreshed from time to time. These cast-iron tools are easy to clean, says Micetich.

Follow these steps to clean fireplace accessories: