Cleaning Out Ashes From Fireplace

Sweep dust and ashes off.

Cleaning out ashes from fireplace.

Remove the ashes from the fire pit with a scoop spade or shovel. Make soap at home. About an inch or two of ashes on the bottom of the firebox is ideal but anything more than that should be cleaned out. Remove all the ashes and dust from the fireplace using a small shovel or hand broom to collect it on a dustpan.

Thoroughly inspect the ash pile for live embers. Dispose of the mess in a heavy paper bag or garbage can. Try in a small spot at first to test the results. When burning the ashes are pushed to the grate at the back of the fireplace and fall down to the access.

When scooping is finished put the bucket outside in a place not close to combustible materials. Remove or extinguish them. Apply the paste with a cotton cloth while wearing gloves to protect your skin. Situate yourself on a kneeling pad.

A wet dry vacuum with a disposable bag will handle the job once the pile has cooled for at least four. Wait at least 24 hours after you ve burned your last fire so the ashes cool thoroughly. If your fireplace has an ash dump push the ashes through the metal plate in the floor of the firebox. Scoop out large amounts of ash with a metal shovel and place in a metal bucket.

Wood ashes mixed with a bit of water to form a paste can be used as a mild abrasive to buff up tarnished metals clean dirty glass and even remove adhesives and sticky residue. Put on an apron and lay a plastic tarp in front of the fireplace. Wood ashes actually have the potential to draw moisture that can wreak havoc on the metal components and masonry. Move the ashes and wood bits around with a fireplace poker or long metal ended garden tool to ensure there are no hot embers.

Keeping a clean firebox is important when using a wood stove. Deposit the ashes in an empty metal container that has a lid such as a small metal trash can. An ash dump door is an access at the bottom of a chimney for removing ashes that were created while burning and soot removed when sweeping down the inside of the chimney. Here are a few tips to help clean out your wood stove without creating a dusty mess.

Ash is extremely acidic and when combined with moisture can be extremely destructive. Use an ash vacuum to remove the rest of the ashes. Wearing rubber gloves remove logs tinder and the grate. It is best to remove all ashes from your fireplace and stove at the end of the heating season to prevent this from happening.

Use a vacuum to clean up the remaining ashes in the firebox and on the hearth.