A crackling fire is a domestic delight. However, soot deposits eventually condense into creosote, a tarry, toxic substance in your fireplace. You will need to clean out your fireplace regularly. To clean it, you can use a homemade or store-bought cleaner. First, sweep the fireplace, then apply your cleanser and scrub the fireplace down. You can also clean the glass insert if your fireplace has one. In the future, make an effort to make sure your fireplace stays clean.
ASH REMOVAL
Wood ashes only need to be removed when they begin to smell or get in the way of a fire building. To remove, shovel up the ashes, place them in a bag and dispose of them in the trash. If your fireplace has an ash dump, push the ashes through the metal plate on the floor of the firebox. Use a vacuum to clean up the remaining ashes in the firebox and on the hearth. You'll want to wait at least 72 hours after your last fire before attempting any cleanup. That way, you won't put any hot coals in the trash where they could start a fire. Also, don't send hot or warm coals down the ash dump because they can ignite a fire in the walls.
SMOKE AND SOOT
Poor drafting -- caused by a clogged flue (and forgetting to open the flue damper!) -- can result in the buildup of smoke and soot on the fireplace surround -- the area around the fireplace opening. Wearing gloves and using a stiff brush, clean the surround with a masonry cleaner. If your fireplace has glass doors, clean the inside and outside with a standard glass cleaner or a homemade green window cleaner.
PRO CLEANING SCHEDULE
Burning even the driest firewood will lead to soot and creosote buildup on the flue walls lining the chimney. Because both of these byproducts are flammable and dangerous, they must periodically be removed. Creosote buildup is the leading cause of chimney fires.
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