If the flickering flames in your fireplace are obscured by an oily film or a thin veil of black soot, it can ruin the atmosphere a fire creates. Depending on the type of dust or soot, the glass can be etched by dirt that remains on the shiny surface for too long. You can clean the fireplace glass by preparing a cleaner with home remedies. Which mixture you choose depends on the type of fireplace you have.
Natural gas fireplace:Even if your fire is generated by a clean natural gas line at the bottom of the fireplace, the glass front needs to be thoroughly cleaned a few times a year. This ensures that the deposits of house dust and soot do not become too thick. In hot conditions, once a layer of fine dust builds up on the glass, it can be difficult to remove. Carefully clean and reinstall the ceramic logs twice a year. If they have settled from the gas line over the burner openings, they can cause soot deposits.
Wood burning fireplaces:The dampers and air controls must be open when you have a roaring fire to prevent soot from accumulating around the mantle and glass doors. Make sure the wood you use is properly seasoned and the chimney is cleaned once a year. A fireplace window cleaner should not contain chemicals if you want to keep a homemade wood stove free of toxins.
Propane stoves:If a propane fireplace's air-to-fuel ratio is off, soot can quickly build up on the surrounding walls and glass of your unit. Check the false logs that sit over the gas jets and make sure the jets are not clogged or directly obscured by the logs. Check the damper or chimney to make sure it is in the correct position. If the tank manufacturer uses butane, this can also cause soot. Butane requires more oxygen to burn cleaner than propane.
Properly planning a fireplace in the house – what questions should you ask yourself first?Find out here!
Clean the stove window with home remedies
Combine vinegar with cornstarch or rubbing alcohol
There are a few ways you can clean a sooty fireplace screen.
Clean the fireplace screen with vinegar: Pure vinegar in a spray bottle will not harm the glass and will ensure that you spend as little time as possible removing the soot from the glass. Vinegar can leave streaks on heavily soiled glass. So have a stack of clean towels ready to take turns scrubbing away the soot.
Vinegar and cornstarch:You can also use the following recipe for glass that is covered with a layer of black dirt. The added cornstarch makes it more abrasive and effective, but gentle enough not to damage the glass.
- 2 cups warm water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ¼ cup vinegar
Clean burned-in fireplace glass with vinegar and rubbing alcohol: If you still have brown or black soot stains on the fireplace glazing, then this remedy should also get rid of those difficult dirt spots. Spray it on and leave it on for a few minutes before removing it with a clean towel and small circular movements.
- 2 cups of water
- ¼ cup vinegar
- ¼ cup rubbing alcohol
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
What shouldn't you clean with vinegar?Find out here!
Toothpaste helps with stains on fireplace glass
If you have really stubborn stains on the glass front of your fireplace, toothpaste can remove the thick dirt. Toothpaste is ideal for several reasons:
- It is inexpensive.
- Toothpaste can polish out small scratches on the glass.
- It does not contain any harmful chemicals.
- It is a mild abrasive.
To clean the glass, rub the toothpaste onto the glass in small circular motions using a soft towel. Leave the toothpaste on for about 15 minutes and then rub it off gently. Rinse off the toothpaste with water and clean the glass again with glass cleaner.
Tipp:Do not use gel toothpaste. This will just create a haze on the glass and leave you with a bigger mess to clean up.
Clean the fireplace screen with water, white vinegar and ash
Did you know that the best glass cleaner for your fireplace glass door has always worked in secret? That's right, you can use the leftover ash and soot from the fireplace to make an incredibly safe and effective glass cleaner, and it's free!
- First things first. DO NOT attempt to clean your glass while it is hot. After putting out the fire, wait at least a day to make sure there are no embers left inside and the glass is no longer hot.
- If you can remove your glass/door, do so! This gives you more space to work. Either lay out some old towels, large pieces of cardboard, or take your jar outside to avoid a huge mess. If you can't take them off, just open the doors and place a towel underneath.
- Mix your solution. You don't have to measure anything exactly here. Simply mix some water, white vinegar, and enough ash from inside your fireplace to make a paste. This allows you to gently rub away the dirt on the inside of the glass.
- Use a microfiber cloth to apply this mixture. Scrub gently in a circular motion, then wipe with clean towels dipped in the water and vinegar mixture until all grime and dirt are removed. Then wipe with your favorite glass cleaner for a streak-free shine.
Also read:Clean the inside of your fireplace in just 4 easy steps!
Clean a sooty fireplace window using only water, ash and newspaper
- Dip the newspaper in the water and ash.
- Rub the inside of the glass in a circular motion.
- You will notice that as you clean the newspaper it will turn black and become dirty. Discard the piece of newspaper and grab a new one, repeating the process as needed. In a short time you will have removed most of the “burnt” soot and only a small amount will be left on your glass.
- Spray water on the glass, then wipe with a paper towel until clean: Repeat until there is no black residue on the paper towels, then dry with a clean paper towel.
You're done! That's it! You've cleaned your fireplace, without any harsh chemicals and without the risk of damaging the expensive glass!
Cleaning fireplace glass - why is it so important for your health and what consequences can it have if you don't do it?You can find out here!
