How To Clean A Glass Fireplace In Any Room
Keep your fireplace looking clear and beautiful with these step-by-step instructions.
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If you're fortunate enough to have a fireplace in your home, it could be built in many styles. While a traditional open, wood-burning fireplace can make a big mess, it's actually one of the easiest to clean. A glass fireplace can limit the mess that escapes from your fireplace (ash, soot, and debris), but can also be a real pain to keep clean. Even if you're working with a gas system, glass doors can get gunked up in a hurry.
Luckily, this step-by-step for cleaning your glass fireplace will maximum shine with minimum elbow grease. Clean fireplaces work better, are much safer, and will last longer when regularly maintained. Let's jump in!
Before Getting Started
It may seem obvious, but the first step is to ensure that your fireplace is turned off (if it's gas) and that the doors and glass paneling have cooled completely. Some chemicals used in cleaning glass doors are flammable, so ensuring all is cool with avoid any potential danger.
Method 1: Vinegar Solution
White vinegar has become a staple in the home cleaning world for many reasons. Its acidic nature can dissolve really stubborn stains like grease, mineral deposits, and dirt, and it's also strong enough to kill bacteria. If it's been a minute since you gave your fireplace some attention (or if you inherited a home where it's clear the fireplace hasn't been cleaned in many moons), this method is for you.
Grab a bowl or tub filled with equal parts white vinegar and hot water.
Apply the solution to the glass using a soft cloth or sponge.
Gently scrub the glass to remove soot and residue.
Rinse the glass with clean water and dry it with a lint-free cloth.
Method 2: Ash and Water Solution
If you're a fan of natural cleaning products, this one's got your name on it: You can actually use ash and soot from your fireplace to help loosen caked-on residue from your glass doors. Cleaning ash by using ash? As Ina would say, "How easy is that?"
Combine water, white vinegar, and a small amount of ash from inside the fireplace.
Mix the solution until it forms a paste.
Apply the paste to the glass and let it sit for a few minutes.
Using a newspaper or paper towel, scrub in circular motions until the ash and soot begin to lift.
Rinse the glass with clean water and dry it with a lint-free cloth.
Method 3: Commercial Glass Cleaner
Tried, true, and easy, commercial glass cleaner has long been a hero to those of us trying to rid our homes of grimy fingerprints, streaks, and smudgy glass. Be careful to choose one recommended for fireplaces.
Choose a commercial glass cleaner suitable for fireplace glass (Rutland Glass Cleaner, for example, is made specifically for hearths).
Follow the instructions on the cleaner’s packaging.
Wipe off the cleaner using a soft cloth or a sponge, if your glass dirt needs a little help loosening up.
Rinse the glass with clean water and dry it with a lint-free cloth.
Other Tips and Precautions
The biggest thing to look out for when cleaning your fireplace is safety, of course. It's key to ensure your doors are cooled and that the products you're using (particularly commercial ones) are suited for fireplace cleaning. Do not use products that will leave lingering fumes that could be flammable or dangerous to inhale.
One last thing to consider: Fireplaces (especially wood-burning ones) create a decent amount of ash and buildup in your chimney over time. If you're noticing that your glass doors or glass partition seems to get significantly dirty with every burn, you likely have a larger problem to address. Consider having your chimney inspected and cleaned, as creosote can cause dangerous buildup in your chimney that will damage your fireplace's structural integrity and cause your home to smell smoky.
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Read the original article on Southern Living.