How TO MAINTAIN
FIREPLACES

In addition to having annual professional chimney sweeps, you should give your fireplace a thorough cleaning at the end of the season to keep it spotless until the next year.

Supplies

  • Newspaper or drop cloth
  • Protective mask
  • Rubber gloves
  • Cleaning agent of choice
  • Nylon brush
  • Fireplace shovel and tin (or fireplace vacuum)
  • Dirt-removal sponge
  • Stiff-bristled brush (if using green cleaner)

FIRST THINGS FIRST

Cover surrounding surfaces with newspaper or a drop cloth, and wear a protective mask to avoid breathing in the particles.

choose your cleaning agent

Trisodium phosphate (TSP): Long the cleaner of choice for tackling soot, TSP comes with many drawbacks—it can be harmful to both you and the environment (by entering waterways). When using TSP, take these extra precautions: Work only in a well-ventilated area; wear gloves, long sleeves, and pants to protect skin; and dispose of used sponges or cloths.

For a greener cleaner:
Mix together a paste of cream of tartar and water and apply as you would TSP, or combine equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. You’ll have to do a lot more—and harder—scrubbing to remove all the soot, but you might find that the better option.

How-to

  1. 1. Wearing rubber gloves, remove andirons and grate; place on drop cloth. Add water to TSP powder to create a paste, or use one of the greener options. Apply to andirons and grate and scrub with a nylon brush. Rinse completely with water; wipe dry.
  2. 2. Scoop out any leftover piles of ash and debris with a fireplace shovel, or use a special vacuum for fireplaces, and discard. Make sure there are no burning embers; it can take up to 72 hours for those to die out.
  3. 3. With nylon brush or hand broom, sweep down walls, then sweep out ashes. Scrub fireplace walls from top down with cleaner and a dirt-removal sponge. If using a green cleaner, you may find it necessary to first scrub with a stiff-bristled brush before applying the cleaning solution.
  4. 4. If the fireplace or insert has a glass door, use your regular glass cleaner or diluted white vinegar.

Tip

Hire a professional chimney sweep once a year (ideally at the end of your fire-burning season) to manage creosote, a thick brownish-black residue that can build up on the inner surface of the chimney and is a major cause of chimney fires.