Planning on using your fireplace this fall? Before you light a fire, there are some important steps you should take to clean and maintain your fireplace for the colder months ahead. If you neglect to maintain your fireplace properly during the fall season, it could cause serious damage or even put you or your family members in danger of a fire that can't be extinguished without assistance from the outside world. Here's what you need to know about preparing your fireplace for fall before the weather gets too cold!
Tools and Materials You Will Need
Drop Cloths or plastic sheeting
Dust mask
Safety goggles
Safety goggles
Rubber gloves
Small trash can or bucket
Fireplace shovel
Dustpan and hand broom
Vacuum with hose attachment or shop vacuum
Trisodium phosphate (TSP)
Bleach
Warm water
Bucket
Spray bottle
Stiff-bristled brush
Paper towels
Fireplace glass cleaner (optional)
Dish soap
Before You Begin
If you've already been using your fireplace this fall, allow at least 12 hours after your last fire before attempting to clean it to allow it to completely cool down. Clear a work area and use drop cloths or plastic sheeting to cover the area around the fireplace and surrounding furnishings (not newspaper—the ink can transfer into carpets or upholstery). Don't skimp on safety gear because this is going to be a messy project. Wear old clothes that will certainly become stained, as well as rubber gloves. Wear a dust mask to protect yourself from potentially harmful dust. To avoid unpleasant pressure, work on a thick folded towel if you don't have knee pads.
Remove Ash and Debris
The first thing to do is sweep out all of the ash in your fireplace. It's always good practice to wear a mask when you're doing any home maintenance, because ash can be an eyesore and also easily get into your mouth and lungs if you aren’t careful. You don't want that! If you have a gas fireplace, make sure that it has been turned off properly before sweeping out any ashes; otherwise, they could ignite while you are cleaning them up. Don't worry about removing ashes from a wood-burning fireplace right away; just make sure there isn't too much debris inside that could cause smoke or fire hazards later on during colder months.
Mix Cleaning Solution
Deep-clean your fireplace with a solution of trisodium phosphate (TSP), bleach, and warm water. Using rubber gloves, combine 6 tbsp. 1 cup bleach, 1 cup TSP, and 1 gallon warm water in a large bucket. Dip a small amount of steel wool into your mixture, then scrub the affected areas until clean. For build ups on glass doors or other more delicate areas, try soaking a cotton ball instead of directly applying it to the surface. If you don’t have cotton balls around, paper towels work just fine as well.
Deep-Clean the Firebox and Surround
The first thing you’ll want to do is inspect the firebox, including the flue and firebox walls. If your fireplace is still being used regularly, you may need to clean it more often than if it isn’t. Depending on what materials your fireplace is made from, you can use a combination of steel wool and/or a rust-removing chemical to deep-clean the firebox and surrounding area.
Clean the Fireplace Doors
Most of the soot and ash from your fireplace will be collected behind the doors, so it’s important to clean these areas regularly. If you have a gas fireplace, be sure to shut off your fuel supply before starting any cleaning job; you don’t want an accident on your hands. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, give the fire some time to completely burn out first—you don’t want embers still hot enough to ignite if they fall onto carpet or furniture.
Clean The Andirons And Grate
If you have fireplace andirons and/or grates that are exposed to flames, make sure these fixtures are clean so there is not a buildup of creosote. Cleaning them when you’re getting ready for cooler months is much better than waiting until next spring. As with any home maintenance task, do what makes sense for you. Others clean them by taking them outside and hose-washing them off.
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