How to Clean the Window of Your Fireplace or Wood Stove
Steve is the owner of Chimney Works, a Cincinnati, Ohio based company. He also runs The Chimney Outpost, a small business blog.
How to Clean Wood Stove or Fireplace Glass
Your wood stove or fireplace insert glass probably has a grey or black film over it. This film often seems "baked-on" and can be very difficult to remove. While your first reaction may be to grab a wire brush or some harsh chemical cleaners, you don't want to damage your expensive fireplace glass, or worse, create a fire hazard. Your best bet for cleaning your glass is things you have right near your fireplace: water, ash, and newspaper.
Does the glass on your wood stove or fireplace look like this? Read on to find out how to remove this film!
Items You Will Need to Clean Your Fireplace
- Newspaper (I prefer the black-and-white kind)
- Regular tap water in a pan or bowl
- Water spray bottle
- Paper towels
- Ash from your fireplace (the secret weapon!)
Step 1: Dip the Newspaper in the Water and Ash
Fold or crumple your newspaper; dip it in the water and then in the ash. You just need to moisten the newspaper a bit (just damp), and you just need a little ash to stick to the wet newspaper.
Step 2: Rub the Inside of the Glass in a Circular Motion
Take your dampened newspaper with ash and begin gently rubbing the item on the inside of your fireplace glass. I prefer a circular motion as I find it loosens the soot quicker.
You will notice that as you clean, your newspaper will turn black and become dirty. Discard that piece of newspaper and get some more, dip it in the water, then ash, and repeat as needed. In short order, you will have removed the majority of the "baked on" soot, and you'll have just a bit left on your glass.
When the newspaper turns black and becomes dirty, discard that piece and repeat the process with a new piece of newspaper.
Once your glass starts looking like this, spray some water on the glass and wipe it off with paper towels until the paper towels no longer contain no more black residue.
Step 3: Spray Water on the Glass, Then Wipe It Off With a Paper Towel Until It's Clean
Spray some of the water on the glass and wipe it off with a paper towel. Repeat until the paper towels have no black residue, then dry with a clean paper towel.
Look at that shiny glass!
You're All Done!
That's it! You are all done—you just cleaned your fireplace glass with no harsh chemicals and no risk of damaging the expensive glass!
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.
Comments
Heather on January 23, 2020:
This works so well! Our fireplace glass is spotless now. Thanks so much for sharing this method!
Anne Spence on May 23, 2019:
I tried this after trying every cleaner ever made ... Wonderful .. Amazing ... it really works .. thank you ..
Rebecca on February 08, 2018:
My husband and I just tried this with our EXTREMELY dirty fireplace glass and it was nothing short of amazing. HIghly recommended!