A fireplace brings warmth and comfort in the cold months, but without regular care it burns less efficiently, smokes more and wears out faster. Soot from the wood builds up in the firebox and flue, and too much of it can even catch fire.
A clean fireplace draws better and gives off more heat. The basic care is easy to do yourself before the heating season and a few times during winter. Here is a systematic approach.
What you will need
- An ash shovel, a stiff-bristled brush, a hand brush
- An ash vacuum (an ordinary vacuum is not suitable for ash)
- Soapy water, microfibre cloths, glass cleaner
- Gloves, a dust mask, old clothes, newspaper
- WD-40 Smart Straw for hinges and air vents
- WD-40 Multi-Use for metal parts after wet cleaning
Important: Only start once the fireplace is completely cold: embers in the ash stay hot longer than you think. Aerosols are flammable, so apply lubricant only to a cold fireplace, wipe off all excess and do not light a fire until the product has evaporated.
Step 1
Remove ash and soot
Lay newspaper in front of the fireplace and put on gloves and a dust mask. Shovel the ash into a metal bucket; if there is an ash pan, empty it before it fills to the brim.
Scrub soot from the firebox walls with a stiff brush. Light deposits come off with a dry brush, heavier ones with soapy water. Collect what remains with an ash vacuum.
Step 2
Check the firebox and clean the grate
While cleaning, inspect the firebricks. If they have large cracks right through, replace them: new ones are easy to cut to size. To reach the upper part, you can remove the baffle plate.
Scrub baked-on ash from the grate with a brush and wipe it with a damp microfibre cloth so it is ready for the next fire.
Step 3
Wipe down the surround
Wash brick and stone with mild soapy water; porous stone can be scrubbed gently with the rough side of a sponge. A body finished in heat-resistant paint should only be wiped with a damp cloth, without harsh chemicals.
Wipe and polish smooth tiled or metal surfaces with a suitable product. Do all of this only when the fireplace is cold.
Step 4
Clean the door glass
Soot on the glass is the most noticeable. Apply glass cleaner and wipe with circular movements using a lint-free cloth, then go over it with a cloth and clean water. Light deposits can even be removed with a crumpled damp paper towel dipped in ash.
Step 5
Clean the flue pipe
The connecting pipe of a wood stove is cleaned through the inspection hatch in the elbow, or by removing it. Brush out the soot inside and wipe the outside with a damp cloth.
Refit the pipe tightly: leaky joints reduce the draught and increase soot formation. The chimney itself should be inspected and swept by a professional once a year.
Step 6
Lubricate hinges and vents
If the door squeaks or the air vent or ash pan moves stiffly, apply WD-40 Smart Straw through the thin straw directly into the hinges and runners. Open and close a few times to spread the lubricant, and wipe off all excess.
After wet cleaning, treat the metal parts with WD-40 Multi-Use: it displaces leftover moisture and protects against rust. Only light the fire once the product has fully evaporated.
Tip: Burn only dry wood with a moisture content below 20 percent. Damp wood produces a lot of soot and tar, and you will have to clean the fireplace twice as often.
What next
Clear the ash every few fires, clean the glass as needed, and do a full clean with a firebrick check and lubrication before each season. For small jobs, keep a WD-40 100 ml can near the fireplace.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».