Ideally, you’ll have cleaned your fire totally within the spring, after you used it for the ultimate time of the season. But when that didn’t occur—or if you wish to tidy it up earlier than utilizing it this fall and winter—now’s the time to do it.

We’ve already talked about the best way to clear a fuel fire, however what about wood-burning fireplaces? Right here’s what to know.

Methods to clear a fire

As we’ve lined in earlier articles, it’s essential to be sure that your fire and chimney are in working order earlier than the beginning of winter, in an effort to maximize the warmth in your house, and reduce any drafts—and having a clear fire is essential.

Right here’s the best way to clear your wood-burning fire:

Prep work

It doesn’t matter what time of yr you clear out your fire, wait not less than 24 after your final fireplace to make sure that every part has cooled down. Additionally, issues are going to get messy, so put down a drop material or two (or some outdated sheets), put on garments you don’t thoughts getting soiled, in addition to a face masks, security goggles, and gloves.

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Empty the firebox

Have a bucket or small trash can lined with a heavy-duty garbage bag at the ready. Start by removing any larger pieces of burnt wood, followed by the andirons and the grate.

Use the fireplace shovel (it’s probably hanging on that accessory rack next to the fireplace, but if not, any type of actual or makeshift shovel will do) to scoop out any remaining ashes and debris left in the firebox. Then, use a small hand-held broom and dustpan to sweep out whatever’s left. Finally, use a shop vac to suck up the dust and any other bits hiding in the back or corners of the firebox.

Clean the firebox

Next, mix up your cleaning solution; either:

Pour your solution of choice into a clean spray bottle, then thoroughly spritz the walls and floors inside the firebox. Let it sit for five minutes, then scrub all the surfaces with a stiff-bristled brush, using more of the cleaning solution as needed. Rinse the inside of the firebox with clean water, and let it air dry.

Clean the fireplace doors

Mix up another cleaning solution, this time: 1/4 cup of warm water, 1/4 cup of white vinegar, and 1/4 cup of cornstarch. Stir it until it’s a smooth paste, then use a microfiber cloth to apply the paste to the glass fireplace doors. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then use newspaper to buff the dried paste off until the glass shines.

In lieu of mixing up that paste, some people opt to dip a damp cloth in some of the old ashes from the fireplace and buff the glass that way, but that tends to be messier and less effective.

Clean the other parts

Finally, clean the rest of your fireplace’s parts and accessories: The screen, andirons, and tools. If it’s possible, clean these parts outside, in a garage, or deep utility sink. (If you don’t have any of those, put down a thick plastic tarp and do your best.)

If you made the vinegar and water solution earlier, you can use that to clean the rest of the fireplace parts and accessories. Otherwise, dish soap and warm water works too. Basically, just scrub everything down using stiff-bristled brushes, rags, and steel wool, if necessary. Don’t forget to clean both sides of the screen.

When you’re done, rinse everything with clean water, then let it air dry before putting it back in the fireplace.