A working fireplace feels comfortable especially during the winter season. But when it’s not being used, all that dust and soot can make their way throughout your home.
When it’s not yet winter, that’s the perfect time to get your fireplace cleaned by yourself or a professional, depending on its current state. At least with this initiative, not only will you prevent the dust and soot from spreading but it will also make you prepared to use it when the time comes.
If it’s your first time, here is a guide on how you can start cleaning your fireplace on your own!
Cleaning Dust and Soot
Dust and soot are going to be the messiest aspects of your brick fireplace. Additionally, the ash left behind by a fire is very fine which can make sweeping out the fireplace a time-consuming task. However, the finished product is well worth it. Here’s how to clean a fireplace to remove dust, soot and ash.
1. If you’ve had a fire recently, you need to wait until your fireplace has cooled completely. Wait a full day if you have to. The last thing you want to do is burn yourself or knock live embers all over the place.
2. Once the fireplace is cool, spread a large towel or old sheet at the base of the hearth where you’ll be kneeling. This will keep a good deal of ash from getting on your carpet or floor. It’s also a good idea to cover any furniture in the immediate area and roll up any rugs. And, as this will be a messy task, be certain you’re wearing grubby clothes and consider covering your hair.
3. Place a small waste bin nearby and, using a handheld broom, sweep any soot or ash from the floor and walls of your fireplace. Dump that into the waste bin as you work, but do so gently to keep as much dust as possible from flying around.
4. After you’ve finished, carefully bag up the dust and toss it in an outdoor trashcan. (Tip: Hold on to the ashes if you’ll be cleaning the fireplace glass. Keep reading to find out how.) You’ll also want to pick up any sheets or towels you’ve used to cover the floors and furniture. If you’re very sooty, you might want to wash your hands and change clothes before doing this step.
5. Vacuum the furniture in the room to remove any sneaky ash that made its way past your coverings. Then vacuum the floors and the hearth to remove any remaining ash. Source: Merry Maids
Cleaning fireplace glass
1. Dampen a cloth with water. Ensure your fireplace is off and cool to the touch before beginning. Choose a rag that you don’t mind throwing out after cleaning the glass. You could use paper towels in place of a cloth, if desired.
2. Dip the damp cloth in ash. Use the ash from the fireplace itself. Make sure the cloth is coated in ash, as this will actually help remove soot from the glass, even if it sounds counterintuitive.
3. Scrub the glass with the cloth. Put some elbow grease into it! You’ll need to scrub pretty hard to get the glass clean. Keep working until all the soot or discoloration is removed.
4. Wipe the glass with a microfiber towel. Once the glass is clean, remove any streaks or remaining residue with a clean microfiber towel. Source: WikiHow
Clean the surrounding brickwork
While the inside of your fireplace dries, you may also spot that the surround of your fireplace needs cleaning too. To do this, use a solution made from cream of tartar and water. If you have a soot stain that’s particularly stubborn, you may need to use a specialist cleaning solution, like a trisodium phosphate cleaner. Source: Homefire Group Ltd
With these tips, you will now have a fireplace that’s ready to be used for the winter season. If ever the cleaning job is too difficult to be done on your own, you can always hire a professional like us to do it for you. Just give us a call!
Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
168 W 71st Ave, Vancouver, BC V5X 4S7
(604) 360-2114
