The essentials in 30 seconds
Clean a fireplace only when it is completely cold, ash included, wearing gloves, eye protection and a mask as Regency advises for wood fireplaces. Ashes go in a metal container away from the house and anything flammable, as the EPA says; excess ash can also clog the air intakes. On a wood fireplace, clean the glass, check the air tubes and damper, and have a certified chimney sweep clean the flue of creosote every year. On a gas fireplace, turn off the pilot, let it cool, clean the glass with fireplace glass cleaner and wipe the louvers; a licensed gas technician should service it once a year, and homeowners should not touch gas components. For stone or rock surrounds, use a neutral cleaner and test first.
- Burn only dry, seasoned wood: it keeps the glass and flue cleaner.
- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet (about 1 m) from the fireplace.
- Fit a carbon monoxide alarm near sleeping areas.
Fireplace cleaning supplies
| Item | Use | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Gloves, eye protection, respirator or mask | Protection from ash, soot and sharp edges | Regency |
| Metal container | Ashes, stored away from the house and flammable material | US EPA |
| Fireplace glass cleaner and two microfibre cloths | Glass on gas and wood fireplaces | Regency |
| Soft or microfibre cloth | Louvers and exterior of gas fireplaces | Regency |
| Damp cloth | Wiping the unit's exterior | Regency |
| Owner's manual | Removing glass, air tubes and other parts correctly | Regency |
| Neutral stone cleaner | Stone and rock surrounds | Natural Stone Institute |
How to clean a wood-burning fireplace
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01
Let it go cold
Fireplace and ash completely cool.
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02
Protect yourself
Gloves, eye protection and a mask.
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03
Remove the ash
Shovel it into a metal container and take it outside, away from the house and anything flammable.
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04
Clean the glass
Fireplace glass cleaner and a soft cloth on both sides; see fireplace glass cleaner.
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05
Air tubes
On two-stage burn models, Regency says to remove and clean the secondary air tubes so the holes are clear, following the manual.
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06
Catalytic models
Inspect the catalyst for blockages, cracks or peeling and clean the thermal probe, as the manual describes; contact the dealer if the catalyst looks damaged.
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07
Damper
Check that it opens and closes fully, with no debris in the way.
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08
Flue
Book a certified chimney sweep to remove creosote once a year; see chimney cleaning.
Regency also recommends having the system swept twice in the first year of use and at least once a year after that, or when about 1/8 in. (3 mm) of creosote has built up.
Gas fireplace cleaning
Regency's homeowner tasks, done with the fireplace off and cool:
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01
Pilot off
Turn off a standing pilot light and let the unit cool.
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02
Glass
Remove it following the manual, lay it on a soft surface and clean both sides with fireplace glass cleaner, never ordinary glass cleaner.
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03
Louvers and airflow
Wipe the louvers with a soft or microfibre cloth; if there are none, check the air cavities are clear of dust.
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04
Wipe and inspect
Wipe the exterior with a damp cloth and look at the paint: peeling or bubbling may mean the fireplace is not working correctly and needs a professional.
Everything else is for a licensed gas service provider: Regency recommends maintenance at least once a year, says homeowners should not work on gas components, and suggests having the vent system inspected twice a year for obstructions, corrosion and condensation.
How to clean a sandstone or rock fireplace
The Natural Stone Institute divides stone into calcareous (mainly calcium carbonate, sensitive to acids) and siliceous (mainly silicates, more resistant, though acidic cleaners are still not recommended). For a sandstone, rock or other stone fireplace surround:
- Use a neutral cleaner or stone soap in warm water, rinse and dry; avoid acids and abrasive powders.
- Test any product on a hidden area first.
- Smoke-stained stone may need a thorough cleaning; the NSI notes that commercial smoke removers can save effort and that, once the smoke is removed, there may be some etching from acids in the smoke.
- For etched or badly stained stone, ask a stone restorer.
For the same rules applied to worktops, see how to clean countertops.
When to book a fireplace cleaning service
- Every year: a certified chimney sweep for a wood fireplace's flue, and a licensed gas technician for a gas fireplace (Regency, EPA, US Fire Administration, CDC).
- After a chimney fire: Cornell advises having a certified installer or sweep clean and check the system before using it again.
- Gas fireplaces: peeling or bubbling paint, or anything involving gas parts or venting.
- Damaged catalyst or stone: your fireplace dealer or a stone restorer.
Fireplace cleaning: frequently asked questions
How do I clean a wood fireplace?
When it is cold, shovel the ash into a metal container and take it outside, clean the glass, check the air tubes and damper, and have the flue swept by a certified chimney sweep every year.
How do I clean a gas fireplace?
Turn off the pilot and let it cool, clean the glass with fireplace glass cleaner and wipe the louvers and exterior. Leave gas parts and venting to a licensed gas technician.
Where should I put fireplace ashes?
In a metal container away from the house and from anything flammable, as the EPA advises, once they are cold.
How do I clean a sandstone or rock fireplace?
With a neutral stone cleaner, after testing a hidden spot. Avoid acids and abrasives, and ask a stone restorer about etching or heavy smoke stains.
How often should a fireplace be professionally cleaned?
Yearly: a chimney sweep for wood fireplaces and a gas technician for gas fireplaces. Regency suggests twice in the first year of a new wood fireplace.
What are the signs of a chimney fire?
Sparks from the chimney, a very hot stovepipe, air rushing through the stove, loud popping or a rumble like a freight train. Call emergency services and get out.
Sources
Manufacturer, government and extension guidance, checked on 2 November 2026 (02/11/2026).
- Regency · Wood fireplace maintenance guide ↗Cool fireplace and ash; eye protection, gloves and mask; yearly certified sweep for creosote; air tubes; catalyst and probe; glass; damper; sweeping twice in the first year or at about 1/8 in. of creosote; seasoned wood.
- Regency · Gas fireplace maintenance guide ↗Licensed gas service yearly; no homeowner work on gas parts; pilot off; glass with fireplace glass cleaner; louvers; exterior and paint check; vent inspection twice a year.
- US EPA · Burn Wise tips (PDF) ↗Ash clogs air intakes; ashes in a metal container away from the house or flammable material; yearly chimney inspection by a certified professional; seasoned wood.
- Cornell Cooperative Extension · Wood stove safety ↗Creosote and chimney fires; warning signs; call 911 and leave; never pour water into the stove; inspection after a chimney fire.
- CDC · Carbon monoxide poisoning basics ↗CO odourless and colourless; fireplaces produce CO; symptoms; chimneys blocked by debris; yearly chimney check; detectors near sleeping areas. Read in the browser.
- US Fire Administration · Heating fire safety ↗3-foot clearance from fireplaces; yearly professional cleaning and inspection. Read in the browser.
- Natural Stone Institute · Care and cleaning of natural stone ↗Calcareous and siliceous stone; neutral cleaners; fire and smoke damage, smoke removers and etching; stone restorers. Read in the browser.
Time for the yearly check?
Book a certified chimney sweep for a wood fireplace or a licensed gas technician for a gas fireplace before the heating season.