With the onset of winter, lighting the fireplace becomes a necessity. However, to ensure proper functioning, it is advisable to check and clean the chimney before the onset of each cold season. Hiring an expert can be very expensive, but there is a method you can use to safely clean your chimney inside and out.

Learn how to effectively clean your chimney with everyday products

Before you start cleaning, make sure the fire is really out and the glass and fireplace insert have cooled down. It is also recommended to protect the floor near the fireplace.

Clean the fireplace glass

First, soak a cloth with white vinegar and scrub the fireplace glass. Thus, the acid of the white vinegar will remove the soot. You can also use more white vinegar or baking soda if it turns out that the windows are dirtier than expected. The baking soda will help loosen the dirt more easily without damaging the surface of the glass. Another inexpensive method is to reuse the ash. All you need to do is take some newspaper and roll it into a ball, wet it and dip it into cold ash. All you need to do is scrub the glass afterwards.

Removing soot stains from the fireplace

Removing soot stains from the mantel may seem more complicated than you think. To do this, use a hard brush that you have moistened with lukewarm water. After that, spray it with baking soda and start scrubbing all the visible soot marks before rinsing them off.

The other trick to clean an extremely dirty chimney

If it turns out that your chimney is very clogged, there is a very simple homemade preparation that you can use to clean it thoroughly. You will need the following ingredients:

  • White wine (2 spoons);
  • rubbing alcohol (1 spoon);
  • Washing-up liquid (a few drops);
  • white wine vinegar.

Then mix all the ingredients with a little water and then apply to the window with a soft sponge. Then scrub until all the dirt is gone, then rinse. Finally, dry with a soft cloth. Don’t wait until your chimney is completely dirty before cleaning and maintaining it. Remember to do this process before the winter season begins, using the tips above.