A properly installed fireplace will help in keeping your home warm, cozy, and comfortable without increasing the utility costs. This classic feature comes in different designs and will contribute towards the elegance of your home. If you have a fireplace at your home, then it will inevitably get dirty. In this blog, we will see how to clean fireplace glass in the right way.
To retain the look and efficiency of your fireplace, it must be subjected to regular cleaning. If the fireplace comes with a glass door, then it will require some additional care. This cleaning must be carried out gently to avoid damaging the fireplace glass.
Content Summary
How to clean fireplace glass with these 6 steps?
If you have a fireplace installed at your home, then it requires cleaning after every use. The glass of the fireplace door must be cleaned every week. This will maintain the look of the fireplace area. It will also make the cleaning process less stressful as you will not have to deal with old and stubborn “baked-on” films. Glass door is a delicate component of your fireplace and you have to be very gentle while cleaning it. The basic steps in the cleaning of a fireplace glass are listed below.
1. Gather the necessary supplies
The supplies required will depend upon the cleaning method that you are choosing. Some of the commonly used supplies include microfiber cloth, newspapers, spray bottles, cleaning agents, towel, and more. Gather all the required cleaning supplies and arrange them properly before starting the cleaning process. Don’t choose any harsh chemicals for cleaning the fireplace glass. Heavy-duty chemicals can leave ugly marks and spots on the fireplace glass. So, choosing gentle cleaning methods and supplies which will retain the shine of the glass.
2. Take out the fireplace glass
Be patient and wait for the glass to cool down completely before removing it. Otherwise, you might end up burning yourself. Don’t start cleaning the area without removing the fireplace glass as it might lead to sudden accidents. Place a clean towel on the floor to keep the removed glass. Then, take your screwdriver and start working on the screws that are holding the glass in place. After the screws are removed, lift the glass carefully and place it on the towel.
3. Scrub the removed glass
The scrubbing can be done using a piece of cloth or newspaper. Scrub the glass in gentle, circular motions. This will help you to avoid marks and scratches. Use a gentle glass cleaner while scrubbing the glass. The harsh ones will affect the shine of the glass and will induce spots and marks.
4. Rinse the glass
After removing the stains, residues, and soot completely, you can begin rinsing the glass. Fill warm water in a spray bottle and use it to rinse the glass thoroughly. This will remove any leftover residue that might be present.
5. Dry the glass
You can let the glass air dry. Alternatively, you can also dry it with the help of a clean paper towel, or cloth towel.
6. Reinstall the glass
Once the glass has become completely dry, you can put it back and secure it in place with the help of the screws.
Different Cleaning methods
We have seen how to clean fireplace glass with 6 basic steps. No matter what cleaning method you are employing, these basic steps will remain the same. Now let’s take a look at the different methods that are available for cleaning the fireplace glass.
1. Vinegar Solution Method
Vinegar can be used for cleaning your fireplace glass as it effectively removes all the dust and stains from the glass. You do not have to gather a lot of supplies to use this method. All you need is multipurpose vinegar and some water. If you want to increase the strength of this cleaning solution, then consider adding some cornstarch, rubbing alcohol, or ammonia to the vinegar solution.
- Start by making the vinegar solution. You have to take white vinegar and water in the ratio 1:3. Then, give the solution a good mix and transfer it into a spray bottle. Then, spray the mixture all over one side of the removed fireplace glass. Allow the mixture to sit on the glass for 1-2 minutes.
- Then, use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe away the vinegar solution from the glass. The stains should come off easily. For tough stains, gentle scrubbing in circular motions is recommended.
- Once the glass is completely clean on that side, you can rinse it using some warm water. Then, switch to the other side of the fireplace glass and repeat the steps. Finally, let the fireplace glass dry completely before putting it back in place.
2. Newspaper and Ashes Method
Lets see how to clean fireplace glass conveniently using newspaper and ashes. People who have wood fireplaces can use this cleaning method, as all they need is some leftover ash. This is a very low cost cleaning method and delivers effective results.
- Collect some cold ash from your fireplace and keep it in a bowl.
- Take a piece of newspaper and wet it. Now, dip the damp newspaper piece into the bowl filled with ash.
- Then, rub the ash all over one side of the fireplace glass and work gently in circular motions to remove the soot.
d.Repeat the steps until you are able to remove all the soot and stains from that side. Now, rinse this side of the fireplace glass properly to remove all the residues completely.
- Now, focus on the other side of the fireplace glass. Once you are done cleaning this side, give the entire glass a good rinse with some water.
- Now, let the glass air dry before reinstalling it.
3. Razor Method
The razor method is generally used in the case of stains that are very tough and stubborn. However, be careful with the razor and put on a pair of gloves to protect yourself from getting hurt.
- Take a spray bottle and fill it with some water. Moisten the glass surface properly with the help of the spray bottle. This will re-hydrate the stains, grime, and soot, and they will come off easily when you use the razor.
- Now, hold the razor at a 40° angle, and start working from the bottom to the top. Work on small sections and repeat the steps until you have cleaned the entire glass.
- Now, you can rinse the glass, or wipe it thoroughly using a damp cloth. Make sure the glass is totally dry before you put it back in place.
Tips for cleaning the fireplace glass efficiently
Now that we know how to clean fireplace glass with different methods, let’s go through some cleaning tips that might help the beginners.
- Start the cleaning process only after the fireplace glass has cooled down completely.
- You must turn off the gas prior to cleaning the fireplace glass. This will eliminate the risk of leaks during gas line damages.
- Open the window before starting the cleaning process. This will keep the area ventilated while you use different kinds of cleaning products.
- Wear rubber gloves while working with the cleaning chemicals. This will protect your fingers from the harsh effects of the chemicals.
- Don’t use strong chemicals and rough scrubbing pads. They will leave scratches on your fireplace glass door.
- Go through the manual of the fireplace prior to opening the glass door. This will enable you to remove the glass easily without damaging the fireplace, or the glass door.
FAQs
Q1. Why should you clean the fireplace glass?
Cleaning the fireplace glass is very important as it will maintain the appearance of the fireplace and will also improve its working efficiency and safety.
Q2. Can a dirty fireplace affect your health?
Yes, a dirty fireplace can induce different kinds of respiratory illnesses and infections because of soot inhalation.
Q3. What are the different methods of cleaning fireplace glass?
Fireplace glass can be cleaned using vinegar solution method, newspaper and ashes method, and razor method.
Conclusion
In this blog, we have answered how to clean fireplace glass in the right manner. The steps involved in the cleaning of the fireplace glass are very simple and basic. By following them properly, you will be able to clean the fireplace glass yourself, without spending a lot of money on professional glass cleaning services. Depending upon your stains, you can use any one of the cleaning methods discussed in this blog.
