Back-to-School Fireplace Cleaning

The back-to-school bells are ringing in York and Adams counties. While the school supply list mounds, it’s easy to miss the important housekeeping cleanup items. Make sure a thorough fireplace cleaning is on your end-of-summer checklist for you and your family’s safety.

Fireplaces should be cleaned once a year. The best time is during the late spring or summer after the fire-burning season is over. The following tips can teach you how to clean your fireplace for a ‘back-to-school’ refresh.

Dust, soot, and ash are the culprits of a messy fireplace. Removing debris can be a time-consuming task. Here’s how to do it:

1. Ensure your fireplace is completely cool.
2. For gas, electric, or wood-burning fireplaces, remove all components. Place on an old towel and use a cloth to dust them off.
3. Make a deep cleaning solution. Combine dish soap, 1/4-cup of heavy-duty cleaner, and 1 gallon of warm water in a large bucket.
4. Spread a large towel at the base of your hearth to keep the ash from spreading onto the carpet or floor. Cover nearby furniture and roll up any rugs. Wear old clothing.
5. Using a handheld brush, sweep any soot or ash from the floor and walls of your fireplace into a waste bin. Bag up the dust and debris and move it to an outdoor trash can.
6. Use a handheld vacuum to clean up remaining residue.
7. Scrub the inside of a fireplace with a stiff bristle brush and cleaning solution. Work from the top down.
8. Wipe down your fireplace glass with a glass cleaner and paper towels.
9. After your fireplace is completely dry, place the cleaned components back.

Back-to-school preparation is on the horizon. A fireplace cleaning and inspection is probably not your first thought on the to-do list. Your fireplace should be inspected at least once a year to ensure all safety requirements are met. Tevis Home of Hampstead, Maryland serves York and Adams counties of Pennsylvania. We offer a 17-point clean and service procedure to protect from unexpected repair costs. We’ve got you covered before the small problems become big ones. Talk to a local expert today to learn about our service plans.

Sources:

https://www.homedepot.com/c/ah/how-to-clean-a-fireplace/9ba683603be9fa5395fab901b3b09202

https://www.merrymaids.com/cleaning-tips/diy/how-to-clean-a-fireplace/