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Tar, ashes, and soot will accumulate in the fireplace over time if you do not clean it all out. This can be done by the average homeowner if you have the time. Here are a few tips to that end.

All fireplaces will get dirty. However, how dirty it gets largely depends on the type of wood you burn inside it. It is best for you to burn well-seasoned wood which has had an adequate amount of time to dry. This will minimize the amount of creosote tars that build up.

There will be a lot of ashes and soot inside your fireplace, so be prepared for a lot of dust to fly around while you are cleaning it out. It is vital for you to wear a mask and a pair of goggles to protect yourself. You should also wear a pair of latex or rubber gloves to keep your hands free from those substances.

To clean out the fireplace effectively, you will need to use some type of brush. You can use a wire brush if you use it gently enough. The type of brick used inside your fireplace can crumble easily, so you can damage it if you are too harsh scrubbing with a wire brush. To minimize the risk of damage, you should use a nylon bristled brush instead.

It is also a good idea to use a cleaner to help get the walls a bit cleaner. Just make sure you do not use an abrasive cleaner inside the fireplace. The next time you light a fire, you may experience issues because of the flammable residue that it leaves behind.

You will need to use a broom or vacuum to get the soot that falls down off the walls while cleaning. To minimize the amount of soot you have to collect manually, you can line the bottom of the fireplace with sheets of old newspaper. After they fill up, you can simply package the soot up and toss it in the trash.

Many fireplaces have a tempered glass enclosure to increase efficiency. The glass will also need to be cleaned on a regular basis. Soot will become baked on the glass if you fail to do so. If you allow soot to bake on, you will need to use a scraper to remove it. A solution of vinegar and warm water will help you remove smoke stains on the glass too.