How to Clean the Glass of a Fireplace: Would you Undo Soot Naturally and Safe? Use Chemicals..

A fireplace is a cozy and comforting complement to any home, but over time, its door becomes covered with soot, depriving of its warmth. Why the glass of the hearth gets polluted? What are the ways for effectively removing soot from it in a natural or common way? How to clean the glass of a fireplace, leaving it crystal clear?

Why is the Glass on My Fireplace Always Dirty?

The major reason for fireplace glass to be constantly dirty is the accumulation of soot and creosote, a fallout of burning wood. It’s sticky and adhere to this transparent surface, making a layer of grime over time. If your hearth is not burning wood completely, the accumulation of soot and smoke is considerable. The next reason causing incomplete combustion can be a poorly seasoned or wet wood, inadequate airflow, or a fault in the damper. The glass temperature is also a factor that can contribute to this process. When this transparent part is too cold, condensation easily appears on its surface, which capture soot particles, and in this process it accumulates dirt.

Read also: Cleaning wood stove glass: 3 easy tips and tricks that will help you clean!

How to Clean the Glass of a Fireplace: Vinegar & Baking Soda

If the natural way of cleaning is your favorite, think about using the “magic” mixture of vinegar and baking soda for your fireplace glass, following the next guidelines:

1. Prepare the vinegar solution: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water, and pour the solution in a spray bottle. In this way, the vinegar’s acidity is diluted, which makes it safer for cleaning.
2. Spray with vinegar-water: Mist with the vinegar and water solution onto the soot-covered glass surface, and then be sure the cleaning mixture is evenly spread.
3. Apply baking soda: While the vinegar spray is still wet, sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over the glass. This abrasive substance will scrub mildly, aiding in the removal of soot.
4. Scrub lightly: Use a non-abrasive scrubbing pad or crumpled newspaper to lightly scrub the glass in a circular motion, with a special care not to apply excessive pressure.
5. Wipe till it is crystal clear: Take a lint-free cloth to wipe off the soot and the cleaning mixture. Go on wiping until the glass is clear and entirely streak-free.

How to Clean Soot from Glass Fireplace Door with Chemicals?

Knowing how to clean the glass of a fireplace door from soot with cleaner is useful and a fast method to get rid of the accumulated impurities. There are some steps you should apply:

1. Take the supplies: You’ll need a glass cleaner, a spray bottle, newspaper or lint-free cloth, a plastic scraper, and rubber gloves.
2. Safety on first place: Make sure that your hearth has cooled down before attempting to clean the glass.
3. Scrape off loose soot: With the help of the plastic scraper, gently take away the loosened soot or debris from the glass.
4. Spray the cleaner: Mist with the glass cleaner or with your homemade solution onto the transparent surface. Leave it there for a few minutes to soften the soot.
5. Scrub and wipe the residue: Take a non-abrasive scrubbing pad or a piece of crumpled newspaper to lightly scrub the transparent surface in a circular motion. Start from one corner and work your way diagonally across the surface. Wipe off the softened soot with a lint-free cloth.
6. Buff for final touch: For a streak-free finish, rub with a lint-free cloth to buff the surface, leaving it fresh and crystal clear.

Cleaning the glass of your fireplace can be an easy yet important maintenance task to keep it looking attractive and functioning in the right way. Knowledge of why the glass gets dirty, avoiding harmful chemicals like oven cleaner, and using a natural approaches like vinegar with baking soda can make this task safer and efficient.

Read also: How to Make Fire Starter from Coffee Grounds and Save on Your Heating Bill?

Can I Use Oven Cleaner on Fireplace Glass?

When considering how to clean the glass of a fireplace, some hostesses think that they may try doing this with an oven cleaner. But you should know that it’s forbidden for use on fireplace glass, and there is a reason for this. The most important issue is that oven cleaners contain in their formulas strong chemicals that leave behind residues and fumes. The problem is that they may be harmful if issued into the air when the fireplace is lit. Then comes the issue with the chemicals in oven cleaner, which are often abrasive and may etch or destroy the glass surface of the fireplace door, causing constant cloudiness or scratches. The most risky problem of applying oven cleaner is the following. Any residual chemicals could set on fire when the fireplace is in use, which is a possible hazard.

Read also: How to Clean the Fireplace Glass – Grandma’s Simple Tricks