A home is said to be a good reflection of your personality and so, think about what your surroundings say about you. How do you like to live? Do you enjoy natural, earthy colours or do you prefer vibrant pops of colouring? How do you like to decorate? Are you clean and tidy? For many, the heart of your home is where the fireplace is, if you would agree then it’s likely that you will want to know how to maintain its beauty and how to keep it working to its full capacity.

Whatever type of fire you have and whatever material stove – we’re here to help you keep everything looking as good as the day it was fitted.

How to properly clean your fireplace

Gas fireplace

Dust and debris will naturally accumulate overtime, so it’s good to give it a thorough clean to keep it looking great and working at its optimum level. To clean, start by making sure your fire is switched off and cool – to prevent accidents and injuries. To maintain your gas fire, it’s best to keep the glass frontage and logs clean.

To clean the glass you can use a damp cloth and a little washing up liquid to remove any black marks; wipe with a kitchen towel to dry and rub any watermarks away using a microfiber cloth in a circular motion. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove any hard to reach areas and carefully remove dust and debris. Check the vent and fan too, ensuring there is zero obstruction.

Gas fire safety precautions

If you do not regularly clean your gas fire there’s a high risk of being exposed to carbon monoxide – which can be life threatening. Be sure to have your gas fire looked at by a professional, they will inspect your fire and make sure your home is completely safe by spotting things that are easily missed by the untrained eye.

During the inspection a registered expert will check the interior gas ignition, which is located under the logs, to see that it is lighting without an issue.

They will also see to it that the logs in your fireplace are not decaying. The face of your fireplace will be removed in order to test the valves and ports to ensure there are no blockages. A professional will always clean up too and see to it that you are well equipped with carbon monoxide detectors – so if there is a gas leak in between your inspections – you will be alerted and immediate action can be taken.

Like a normal smoke alarm, check it regularly and make sure you place new, quality batteries in there once a year.

Electric fireplace

For electric fires with glass stones it’s important to get rid of those ugly clumps of dust. Make sure the heated fan is off, remove the stones and use a microfiber cloth to gently clean. Before placing the stones back, give them a polish too, so your fireplace is looking as good as new.

Fake coal fires

For electric fires with ‘fake coals’, you can lift them out to clean the base of your fire and even spray them with paint if they have faded (but be very careful, they’re extremely fragile and can crumble if dropped). Always place them back properly – they are not just there for aesthetics, they’re placed in a strategic way to reduce a build up of soot, ensure optimal output and prevent the production of carbon monoxide.

Stove fireplace

These fires are full of character and can create a whole lot of mess too! When cleaning your stove fire you will need to remove all internal parts in order to vacuum up all of the debris. If the grate is really stubborn to clean, you may wish to use a wire brush to lift marks, but only for this element; you must be careful with the internals and externals to avoid damaging delicate surfaces.

Once you have cleaned the inside, pop everything back into place and be sure to add a small drop of oil to the hinges of the door – to keep it in good working order.

How to clean your fireplace surround

Cleaning marble surrounds

Marble fireplace surrounds are fairly easy to clean. If you’re dealing with an absorbent material, you need to make sure you treat it properly when cleaning. Begin dusting the surface with a microfiber cloth to remove easy to lift dust and soot. After wet the cloth with warm water (do not use any chemicals, just plain water) because anything else can damage the material.

Cleaning limestone surrounds

With limestone fireplace surrounds, you have to be a bit careful. Limestone is porous, so you will want to be gentle with the surface of your surround. Lift any dust with a soft duster and vacuum around any crevices in your surround display. If you notice there’s still marks, wipe the surface down with a damp cloth dipped in a chemical-free soapy solution.

Cleaning wood surrounds

Use a dry sponge on your wooden fireplace surround because a wet cloth will only spread soot further and create an oily layer. To remove marks that won’t budge, try using a small amount of alcohol on the sponge and rub to lift the remaining soot.

Cleaning glass surrounds

Dip a clean sponge into water mixed with a small amount of white vinegar and rub the glass in circular motions until the glass is clear. To remove any watermarks, use a microfiber cloth for a flawless finish.

Cleaning brick and stone surrounds

These type of fireplace surrounds tend to be porous and hard to clean because of their uneven finish, which means unwanted soot and residue can remain if it’s not cleaned well. That said, this is no problem for trisodium phosphate – get on your marigolds and safety goggles, mix with a little water to create a paste and dab onto a sponge.

This hardy cleaner will remove the toughest dirt and help you to get into those awkward nooks and crannies. Simply rinse afterwards with a wet sponge.

The Rotherham Fireplace Centre is a family run business with over 30 years’ experience in the fireplace industry, providing customers with quality products, flawless installations and helpful advice. Our installers are all HETAS accredited and Gas Safe registered, so trust in us to provide you with a fire-rate service. For your free home visit and quotation – contact our team today.

How to clean your fireplace and surrounds