Cleaning the Firebox

• The firebox is the area that contains the fire, and ashes should be cleaned out weekly. Shovel the ashes into a bag after cooling completely if your fireplace does not have an ash pit. The ash pit is a small storage area under the logs in which the ashes fall through; you can access it from outdoors. Before shoveling ashes into a bag, remember to open the damper to keep ash out of the room. The damper is the door inside the fireplace; it regulates the draft. The walls of the firebox only need a scrubbing with a stiff, non-wire brush when necessary. Use a hard-bristle brush or a flue brush to clean the tar-like creosote deposits that accumulate on the surface of the flue. The flue is the duct in which all the exhaust passes through to exit your home. Open the damper several times to clean and wipe with a brush. After gas logs have cooled, clean them with a soft bristle brush at least once a month.
  
  Remember, always allow the embers to sit for at least 12 hours to cool down before cleaning. Also, keep in mind the type of wood you burn. It should be seasoned and thoroughly dry.
  
  

Cleaning the Screen and Glass

• If your screen is made of brass, use any brass cleaner. If it is painted, use a solution of ½ cup vinegar to 1 gallon of warm water and 1 tsp. ammonia. Wipe the screen on both sides and rinse with a clean, wet cloth. The glass should be cleaned after every other fire to remove soot residue. Remove soot buildup using a glass scraper. Smoke stains should be removed between uses with a weak vinegar and water mixture. Spray or dip a cloth and rinse the glass with clear warm water. Dry with a clean cloth.
  
  

Cleaning the Exterior, Grate and Tools

• Use a brick cleaner to clean any brick of your fireplace. Marble, granite or stone exteriors can be cleaned with a mild liquid dish soap, and clean slate hearths with lemon oil at least every other month. Clean the grate and tools by sprinkling 000-grade steel wool with an abrasive cleaner, then scrub. Brass tools can be cleaned with any brass cleaner. You can also dip the steel wool into vegetable oil and rub the tools gently.