How to clean a wood burning fireplace? The objective when cleaning wood-burning fireplaces is to remove from the walls and the extractor tube all the soot that may have adhered over time and with more or less frequent use. You have professional chimney sweeps that can do it quickly and safely, especially recommended if we are talking about an old chimney, which has not been used for years and is really dirty, but in most cases, you can also remove the soot yourself.

To chimney sweep a chimney mechanically, what you basically need is a good, resistant and light bristle brush . This type of chimney sweep brush usually has an extendable and flexible rod or guide that allows it to be easily inserted into the extractor tube. Take note of the steps to follow:

1. Cover the area near the fireplace with plastic or cardboard because in the cleaning process, the soot will fall and could affect the floor or even nearby furniture.
2. Put on some protective glasses for your eyes and also wear a mask so as not to inhale ash residue while cleaning. The use of gloves is also advisable.
3. Of course, before you start, check that the fireplace is completely cold.
4. Cleaning must begin with the chimney sweep of the tube and is done simply by inserting the brush inside and scraping to remove the soot . How to clean a brick or brick fireplace? This is the best method, because the brush will not damage the strong fire bricks and will be effective in removing ash and other substances such as residual resins and creosote.
5. When the tube is clean, pass the brush along the walls and bottom of the combustion zone of the chimney.
6. Finally, it only remains to remove the soot and the rest of the loosened dirt, either by collecting it with a small shovel and a chimney brush, or with a vacuum cleaner.

It is another option when it comes to leaving the fireplace impeccable and ready for the next use. In the market you have different products to achieve it in a simple way. A chimney cleaner of this type is especially useful for periodic cleaning that you must do throughout the season of use (every 15 days or a month), that is, for maintenance cleaning. The most common are chimney sweep logs and chimney cleaning bags , which fulfill the same function and are used in a similar way (always respecting the indications indicated for the use of each product). In this case, you will have to light the fire before starting the chemical cleaning.

1. Turn on the fireplace and let it heat up for about 30 minutes, because this way the product will be able to release the soot more easily.
2. After this time, put the trunk (generally with its wrapping) or the bag on the fire and let it burn normally, since while they are consumed, they will carry out the cleaning task.
3. Wait for the fire to burn out and for the chimney to be completely cold again to remove the ashes and traces of dirt that have been falling.

Are you wondering how to clean a fireplace at home? There are some tricks that can come in handy, especially in a maintenance cleaning. For example, if you want to remove stubborn stains from a brick fireplace:

1. Try dipping the brush you use for cleaning in a solution of half a liter of water and two tablespoons of vinegar
2. Rub for a few minutes and you will be able to remove the persistent black stains that the chimney sweep has not been able to erase

Baking soda can also help you achieve this:

1. Mix a tablespoon in a little water until you get a paste
2. When you have it, spread it over the stain
3. Leave for a few minutes and remove with a damp cloth

Finally, if you have a cassette fireplace and you want the glass to fit perfectly, you can use the same product you use to clean the oven :

1. Apply this foam
2. Let it act 10 minutes
3. Remove with a damp sponge
4. Dry and your fireplace glass will be clean and shiny.

If you want to know Tricks so that smoke doesn’t come out of the chimney , don’t miss this OneHOWTO article.