Fireplace and stove cleaning made simple for winter warmth

The cold weather has officially arrived, and your stove has probably already gotten a workout this year. But making your stove or fireplace the cosiest part of your home requires looking after it throughout the season. Regular maintenance not only ensures that your fireplace or stove offers maximum efficiency, but also ensures it looks good as a focal point for the room. 

Consistent fireplace and stove cleaning is important, and it’s simple with our guide. Read on for our best tips to keeping your fireplace or stove looking clean and fresh year-round. 

Stove cleaning from the inside out

For fireplace and stove cleaning, as with all things involving home maintenance and care, it’s a good idea to look at the manufacturer’s specific instructions as there may be details that differ between manufacturers and models. However, this guide can be used as a good general rule for taking care of your fireplace or stove. 

Before starting the stove cleaning process, make sure that the stove is fully cool — ideally wait at least 24 hours after you last used the stove. You may want to cover the area around the stove with newspapers or rags in case any ash spills or blows across your floor. Otherwise, be prepared to sweep up afterward. 

Additionally, ensure that the container you use to dispose of ashes is not made of plastic but is instead metal. Don’t store ash inside your house as it can cause carbon monoxide to build up over time; wood ash is a good source of lime and potassium so it makes a great addition to your garden — again, make sure the ashes are entirely cold before adding them to the ground. 

Once you’ve cleared out the ash from your stove, you can vacuum out any stray bits of ash and then wipe down the stove easily with a damp cloth. For stubborn grime or grease, a clean paintbrush or a non-abrasive pad can help to scrub away deposits. 

Keep the glass clean

Aside from the warmth it emits, one of the nicest things about a stove or fireplace is enjoying the bright and flickering flames on a chilly, dark night. Therefore, when stove cleaning you should definitely pay extra attention to the glass to keep it clean and clear.  

Many stoves have a built-in airwash system that forces air down across the glass from a vent above the panel. This air ‘washes’ the glass by keeping the flames and soot away to prevent build-up. However, even with an airwash system, you may still need to manually clean the glass of your stove to really enjoy the look of your fire.  

A dry cloth or piece of old newspaper should be all it takes to clean the glass if you do it regularly. You can also use a bit of ash or charcoal as an effective way to remove built-up soot. Note: this only works with wood ash, so be mindful if you have a multifuel stove. If you have more heavy-duty cleaning needs, there are specialty stove cleaners that can be used on the glass as well. 

Take stock of your stove

While you’re in the midst of stove cleaning, take the time to ensure that every part of your stove is well-maintained and up to date. Check the seals of your stove by closing the door on a piece of paper. If you can slide the piece of paper back and forth, then your seals are no longer tight and should be replaced to make sure the stove is running at maximum efficiency. 

You can also use this time to check things like latches, screw threads, and the baffle plate. Clear debris, grease if needed, and replace parts that are worn out. Your stove will see you through many seasons of warmth, but keeping it well maintained and fixing or replacing individual parts that have reached the end of their lifespan will ensure the stove is working well overall. 

See to the outside of the stove

Cleaning the outside of your stove is fairly simple and can be done through regular hoovering or with a soft, dry cloth. Don’t use a wet cloth as you can eventually cause rust. If you do find rust patches, you can use a wire brush or steel wool to gently remove the rust and then repaint with an appropriate, heat-safe finish. 

Finally, make sure that you clean your stove or fireplace chimney or flue to avoid buildup that can fill your house with smoke or even start a fire. This is an area where you may want to hire a professional chimney cleaner once or twice a year to clear out and remove the debris. 

Look after your stove and enjoy a cosy and comfortable winter

Regular fireplace and stove cleaning will help your heating element burn more efficiency and create pleasant warmth and a visually appealing fire for your home. If you have any specific questions about care and maintenance for your stove or fireplace, get in touch! Our team is always happy to assist with finding the manufacturer’s best advice to keep your stove looking good and in great working condition.  

And if your stove has seen better days and you’re looking to refresh your home for the winter, call into our stores today and our team will help you find the perfect new stove or fireplace for your space.