The Safe Removal Of Soot

You've finished cleaning your fireplace from top to bottom and it  looks as good as new. So the time arrives to clear up the mess you've made. What are the safest ways to dispose of ash and soot, without causing damage to any of your furniture or your health?

Since you've cleaned your fireplace, the remnants of the ash and soot will now be cool enough to remove. If you were to just remove ash and soot after using your fireplace you would need to ensure the ash is left to cool for at least 3 hours before removing.

A fast removal process for soot is simply to vacuum it with a vacuum cleaner. Simple, fast and effective with minimal mess left behind. When using this method it is wise not to use any brush attachments as the bristles can work the soot further down into a carpet, creating more work for you. However if you are not keen on coating the inside of your vacuum with soot there are other options.

Take extra care when removing Ash and Soot

An old clay plant pot or a metal can are sufficient containers for removing soot and ash. Scooping the remaining debris with a fireplace shovel or spade keeps direct contact with the soot at a minimum and keeps it away from any other piece of furniture in your home. Taking the filled container outside, the debris should be kept away from the home to prevent the smell infiltrating your furnishings. To eliminate the odour, wet tea leaves or coffee grounds are ideal cheap methods to use.

Using the same method, the remaining elements of soot and ash can be transferred into small metal containers and then disposed of with your everyday rubbish. Keeping the soot inside a metal container will prevent the possibility of any fires starting in your bin. If the possibility is still a concern tip some water or other non flammable liquid over the soot once it is in the container, before sealing it closed.

Taking preventative measures when removing soot and ash from your home is a wise course of action to take. Although it is no longer in your fireplace, the soot itself could still pose as a threat towards your family and should still be treated as a hazard even after cleaning. Disposing of it quickly and safely will minimise the chances of risk.

When you are ready to tackle cleaning any Ash, Soot and Grime for you Fireplace and cooker give Soot Buster a go.  Two great cleaners delivering great results easily now available to buy from here.

What Are Your Options When Cleaning A Brick Fireplace?

Cleaning your brick fireplace is  not one of the most exciting jobs to be done but when the time comes you want to make sure that you have the right option and tools to complete the job. With many different products available on the market for cleaning fireplaces you need to be sure that the solution you choose is suitable for your brick fireplace and for use in your home.

Keep glass and brick clean the safe way.

Trisodium Phosphate - Also known as TSP this substance is a very powerful chemical often used for stubborn cleaning tasks. Used as a cleaner, degreaser and stain remover it needs to be used carefully as it can leave marks on the brick surface. As TSP is such a powerful substance, protective clothing is required, including safety goggles or glasses and overalls or old clothes. The strength of the chemical can cause irritation and burns on the skin so covering up is essential when using TSP. The results can be impressive but it can take a lot of scrubbing to remove tough patches.

Ammonia - Used in a lot of cleaning materials, Ammonia is also a chemical that needs to be used with care. Protective garments including safety goggles and gloves are essential for using this substance. Ammonia can have positive effects on the removal of stubborn stains but the effect could be detrimental on old brickwork. A drawback of using ammonia is that it often needs to be left for up to an hour to work. This means that your home is open to ammonia fumes for a lengthy period of time. Consequently making ammonia an undesirable solution in a family home.

Non Toxic - Using non toxic cleaning materials doesn't mean jeopardising effective results. When using the right substance, such as Soot Buster, the results can match and often improve upon the results obtained by toxic chemical solutions. Reaction time for non toxic fireplace cleaners can be a fraction of the time of harmful alternatives. In addition they are safer to use around your family. The absence of harmful substances also means that no additional protective clothing or ventilation is needed to complete the task. 

 Our latest Soot Buster range is designed to easily and safely remove Soot, Ash, Grime and Dirt from  a wide variety of surfaces.  Available to buy in Glass and Fireplace based formulas from our webstore.  Click here for more information.

Cleaning your Fireplace Safely

Many cleaning materials contain a high percentage of hazardous materials. Acids, for example, with their corrosive qualities may seem perfect for removing unwanted substances from around the home. Soot and ash being prime examples of those substances.

Clean without the risks.

Although the results can be impressive after using corrosive solutions, there are also a lot of side effects which can make these chemicals unsuitable for any cleaning task. The first hindrance of using corrosive chemical solutions is the damage they can leave behind. Corrosive products can cause irreversible damage to practically any surface. From burns to marks and stains, the use of corrosives could result in permanent damage to your furniture

In addition to causing irreparable damage to your fireplace and other pieces of furniture, corrosive chemicals may also have many negative effects on your health. Even with additional protection from specially designed garments and tools there are still ways that the hazardous chemicals can inflict harm.

Many harmful substances can be absorbed by your skin. Regardless of how many layers of clothing you wear there is still a chance that it may soak through. Inhalation is also a large contributor to harmful materials entering your body. Preventative measures and protective clothing are designed to help but cannot always guarantee that you are 100% safe from the chemicals in the products. Examples of the effects from these chemicals include respiratory problems and burns.

Along with the harm to your own health, the safety issue also stands for other members of your household. Although you may be the user of the harmful product, the fumes can still filter through your home. This can be highly dangerous for pets, children and pregnant women. Using non hazardous cleaning materials for your fireplace will eliminate this safety hazard.

Hazard free cleaning products can still be as effective as their corrosive counterparts. With non corrosive materials the solution can be used to treat any surface without leaving any marks or scorches, eliminating the risk of damage.

Fuze Products Soot Buster is a range of  safe to use products designed to easily clean Ash, Dirt and Grime  from all surface around the fireplace and kitchen.  Available to buy now click here for more information. 

Preparing Your Fireplace For Winter

As the evenings are starting to get longer and the days are growing shorter through the transition from Summer to Autumn the weather begins its decline into colder temperatures. Which is when the time comes for you to prepare your fireplace for the Winter months. Removing all the ash and soot and then adorning it with all your autumn trinkets, your fireplace needs to be cleaned properly to prevent any valuable decor being marked with soot.

Cleaning your fireplace doesn't need to be as hard as it sounds. With many materials on the market to complete the arduous task you are faced with many options which can make cleaning your fireplace effortless. However, not all products are suitable for all surfaces. Reading the label properly is crucial to ensuring that you have the correct solution to clean your fireplace.

With so many options available to you it may seem that any product will do the job. Many fireplace cleaners can actually do more harm than anything else. Many cleaning solutions containing hazardous substances have the ability to leave marks and scorches on your fireplace. A lot of the damage caused by these cleaning products is irreversible and hence should be avoided at all times.

The safest way to remove stubborn marks and stains caused by soot and ash is by using a fully biodegradable solution. Containing non corrosive substances, such a solution has the power to rapidly dissolve any targeted ash, soot and grime. Strong enough to remove these unwanted ingrained stains but gentle enough to use on a regular basis makes the biodegradable option more suitable for use around the home.

As the cleaning solution contains no harmful substances it is safe to use around your family and there is no need to wear any additional protective clothing or ventilation. No fumes are released from biodegradable solutions so there is no potential threat to your health and safety when using the product.

Best used on a cold surface the non corrosive formula can effectively remove ash and soot from a large number of different material surfaces. Compatible surfaces include brick, glass, tiles and masonry surfaces, as well as being suitable for seals and surfaces with finishes. By breaking down the unwanted build up of ash, soot and grime you then have the option to decorate your fireplace without the concern of ruining any trinkets.

FUZE products have just introduced it's Soot Buster range which includes a Glass Cleaner and Fireplace cleaner. These can be used on a wide range of surfaces rapidly breaking down any ingrained dirt or grime. Soot Buster is now available to buy from fuze-products.co.ukor by clicking here.