Caring for your Fireplace

Open fires add atmosphere to any room, particularly during those dark winter days. However with Spring just a few weeks around the corner it is time to start thinking about cleaning and maintaining your fireplace to keep it in tip top condition until you have to use it again.
Regular cleaning and maintenance will ensure that your fireplace is in good condition and working well for many years. To make this as easy as possible, I have listed below some tips to help you on your way.


Fireplace Cleaning


Cleaning the ash
The best way to clean up ash is to use a wet and dry vacuum with a disposable bag. This will remove the mess without allowing any dust to be spread around you and your home. If you haven’t got one of these you should let the ash completely dry out for 2 or 3 days, then scoop it into a bin bag or bucket before discarding it in accordance with your local council’s recommendations.


Cleaning the glass doors

Removing soot from the glass door of a fireplace can be a laborious task. However with Soot Buster Glass Cleaner from FUZE Products it can actually be quite a simple job. Spray the product on to the glass and leave it situ for 5 to 10 minutes. Wipe off with a damp cloth. Repeat if necessary, then buff with a dry microfibre cloth or duster.


Cleaning the rest of the fireplace

Before you start to clean the ash from the walls inside your fireplace, insert a bin bag that will catch any falling ash and debris. Soot and ash are very absorbent so will quickly absorb any cleaning solution that you are using. To avoid this, spray the soot and ash with water before you start cleaning. Apply Fuze ProductsSoot Buster Fireplace Cleaner liberally to the areas being cleaned. Allow to soak in for a few minutes then rinse off. This should remove the excess soils. For heavily sooted areas reapply Soot Buster and scrub with a scrubbing brush until the area is clean.



Fireplace Maintenance
Even after cleaning your fireplace, there’s still work to be done. After wood is burned, creosote is released and can build up on the inside of your chimney. Creosote is a very flammable substance and can pose a huge danger if you leave it to build up. To make sure your chimney is clean and safe, it is recommended that you have a professional chimney inspector and cleaner check out your fireplace and chimney at least once per year.