This blog post is all about how to fix your foggy or cloudy fireplace glass. Oftentimes, this is caused by a build up of dust and debris. If this is the case, you'll likely also find it in the fireplace control panel and within the fireplace glass too. That being said, your fireplace needs a clean.
We often get questions about how to clean gas fireplaces around fall and winter, so we thought there would be no better time than now to tell you How to Clean Your Fireplace in 6 Easy Steps!
Just a side note: although you can do some of the dirty work yourself, you can always ask us for a fireplace maintenance service call from a licensed gas fitter. Not only will we clean your fireplace, we'll touch up any rough spots and makes sure to leave your fireplace looking as good as new again. Your user manual should show how often your unit should be professionally serviced, but we recommend once per year.
Now - onto the good stuff:
Step 1: TURN YOUR GAS OFF!
As with all things fireplace and barbecue, safety is by far the most important aspect. When working with anything that can be potentially risky, we want to minimize the danger as much as we can, especially with gas and electric appliances. So, make sure you turn your gas supply off either from inside your house or the gas meter itself.
Step 2: Gather Your Supplies
In order to properly clean your fireplace, you'll need a few tools to get started:
- Fireplace Glass Cleaner
- Microfiber Cloth
- Vacuum
- Brush & Dust Pan
- Drop Cloth
Step 3: Lay Down Your Drop Cloth
An old blanket or bed sheet will do just fine - just be prepared for it to get dirty. Lay this in front of your fireplace before you get cleaning. We say this for multiple reasons. The first one is to keep your mess contained! You don't want ash or anything else getting on those carpet or hardwood floors. Secondly, it's a great place to lay your glass and other parts down so you don't lose them when you're putting your fireplace back together.
Step 4: Take Off The Front Glass Plate
Your gas fireplace will have a tempered or ceramic glass covering over the front of the fireplace. This is usually removed through one of a few different methods. A lot of newer fireplaces have pressure hinges that unlock when they're twisted. Some older units have screws that hold the glass in place. The best way to find out how your specific model works is to check your user manual (you know, the thing we told you never to throw away?). There should be detailed instructions on how to remove the glass covering.
Step 5: Clean!
Now that you're able to get to the back side of the glass and inside the fireplace, we can start cleaning.
Starting with the glass, pick up some glass fireplace cleaner. DO NOT, we repeat, DO NOT use Windex or any ammonia based glass cleaner. These products are not formulated to be used under these high heat and carbon build-up scenarios, and can result in adverse effects if used (like a permanent rainbow).
- If you have a gas fireplace - Check out Meeco's Gas Fireplace Glass Cleaner (This can also double as a smooth-top range cleaner!)
Follow the directions on the cleaner and wipe away with a microfiber cloth to clean the glass - do not use paper towel.
After the glass is all clean, you can use a vacuum or a brush and dust pan to clean the loose dust and carbon build up. You can also open that front panel where your pilot and battery receivers usually are and clean up all the cobwebs and dust bunnies too.
Battery Check: Make sure you change the batteries in your remote AND the batteries on the internal receiver of your gas fireplace when needed. We recommend using Duracell or Energizer brand batteries.
Step 6: Put It All Back Together
Once your glass is clean and you've vacuumed the interior, you can put that glass back on and clean up the rest of your mess. No rocket science here, just a little bit of your time and some elbow grease to get your fireplace looking brand new.
Once again, this cleaning does not replace the recommended yearly service on your fireplace by a licensed technician. Remember, the service call also includes a deep cleaning of your fireplace. Two birds with one stone!
Was this blog post helpful? If you have anymore questions, visit any of our 5 locations across Canada to talk to a fireplace expert about how to clean your fireplace, or to look into booking a service call. We have two locations in Alberta with our Calgary North and Calgary South locations, as well as 3 across the GTA: Burlington, Oakville & Etobicoke, Ontario.
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