The beauty of a fireplace incorporates both the aspects of design and hygiene. A clean fireplace is a beautiful fireplace. From eliminating soot and ashes, to cleaning the bricks and making the glass doors sparkle, every little effort counts. Since glass is delicate, most homeowners find it difficult to entertain the idea of a regular cleaning routine. Accordingly, we provide a step by step guide on how to clean fireplace glass, to help you understand that the task is as easy as cleaning any other place in the house. First, let use look at the dos and don’ts.
The Dos and Don’ts of Fireplace Glass Doors
Firstly, it is important to note that glass fireplace doors should be allowed to cool off completely before cleaning. Bringing hot glass in to contact with water and cleaning agents is a recipe for disaster. The most likely scenario is that your glass door will crack and you will blame no one but yourself.
Clean your fireplace glass regularly to avoid excessive scrubbing as a result of accumulated soot and grime. In essence, this allows the glass to remain in good condition for a long time. Secondly, it makes the task of cleaning easy and time effective.
If the glass door is removable, take it out and clean it away from the fireplace. The idea is get ample and comfortable working space. You do not want the dirt to spread to other areas around the fireplace or worse, find its way to the floor and carpet. It is also safer to handle glass in an open area.
If you do not know how to remove the glass, scrutinize the manual and find a guide to doing it.
Do not use a razor to peel off grime unless you have top-notch skills for the technique. A razor blade can destroy the glass door easily by creating scratches. Besides ruined appearance, scratches accumulate dirt that is hard to remove.
How to Clean Fireplace Glass
From simple DIY techniques to application of commercial cleaners, fireplace glass cleaning methods are varied and diverse. Most of the techniques work remarkably well, but the effectiveness can also depend on factors such as type of glass and the dirt to be removed.
Method 1: Using Ashes and Newspaper
The ash and newspaper method sounds basic but it produces the best results. You only need to get every step right and your glass door will be as good as new. Fine ash from your fire place works effectively as a cleaner because it acts as a scrubber. At the same time, its texture does not scratch the glass.
Materials and Supplies
- Old newspapers/ Paper towels
- Water
- Fine Ashes
- Fireplace/ Regular glass cleaner
Instructions
Step 1: Ensure that your glass door is completely cooled off and gently remove it.
Step 2: Ball up enough newspaper or paper towel and use water to make it damp. Avoid getting it wet or soggy.
Step 3: Dip the damp side into the fine ashes and scrub the soot and grime from your glass in a circular motion.
Step 4: Use dry newspapers or paper towels to clear off adhered residue.
Step 5: Follow up with using fireplace glass cleaner as per the given instructions if you want to add extra shine to your glass.
Method 2: How to Clean Fireplace Glass with Vinegar
Vinegar is the most versatile agent for cleaning fireplace glass. It is sufficient when used alone, but it can also be mixed with several other supplies for better results.
Materials and Supplies
- White distilled vinegar
- Water
- Soot
- Cornstarch
- Ammonia
- Microfiber cloth
Instructions
Step 1: Remove glass and place it on a safe working area
Step 2: Wet a cloth with vinegar and use it to wipe off the soot in a circular motion. Finish up by clearing off the residue with a microfiber cloth. Alternatively, combine vinegar and water in the ratio of 1:3. Add enough ash or cornstarch to form a paste. Dip a cloth into the paste and use it to scrub the dirty glass. Use a microfiber cloth to clear up the remaining traces of grime. You can also use a different approach by combining water and vinegar alone.
Step 3: Use a fireplace glass cleaner to achieve the desired level of shine.
Method 3: Oven Cleaner
If your glass has soot and grime that has accumulated over a long time, then oven cleaner should be your best bet. High quality oven cleaners are designed for heavy duty purposes. Accordingly, the ease at which they clear grime is unmatched.
Materials and Supplies
- Oven Cleaner
- Paper towel
- Old rags
Instructions
Step 1: Place the old rags beneath the glass door for grime collection.
Step 2: Spray the glass with oven cleaner generously.
Step 3: Let soak for about 3-5 minutes
Step 4: Wipe off the grime with paper towels.
Method 4: How to Clean Fireplace Glass with Razor Blade
Although this method works, most people avoid it because it has the potential to scratch glass. However, it works just fine when executed with proper care. Furthermore, the choice of razor matters. I have found that a straight blade works best because it is easier to hold at a proper angle.
Materials and Supplies
- Razor blade
- Water
- Microfiber Cloth
- Fireplace glass cleaner (Optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Hold the razor blade at a proper angle and peel off the soot from one end of the glass to another. Make repeated moves until the soot clears.
Step 2: Dampen a microfiber cloth with water and clean any adhered residue.
Step 3: Use your favorite cleaner to add extra shine to the glass.
