How to Clean a Gas Fireplace
A gas fireplace can bring beauty and warmth to any room. While a gas fireplace is not as messy as a traditional wood burning fireplace, it still should be cleaned and maintained on a regular basis. Because you are working with natural gas, you must take the proper precautions to prevent any physical harm or leaks.
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Turn off the gas to your fireplace at the fireplace's pilot or gas control valve, as directed by the manufacturer.
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Remove the glass from your fireplace. Some fireplaces have glass doors that open with a crank handle. Other fireplaces have glass windows with clips along the edges -- remove the clips and the glass will come out easily. Some glass windows are soldered to the gas fireplace frame and should not be removed. If that is the case, contact a fireplace maintenance professional or chimney sweep.
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Spray the glass with the cleaner and wipe it clean with a paper towel. Repeat on the other side of the glass.
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Remove the logs and burner from your gas fireplace. Be very careful as the logs may be extremely fragile.
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Wipe down the fireplace's gas valve with your soft hand towel. This should be done as least once a year during regular maintenance.
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Brush away any dust or debris from the logs and burner using your soft hand towel. Be very gentle.
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Vacuum out your fireplace using the vacuum cleaner's hose. Check the interior corners of the fireplace for cobwebs and spider eggs.
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Check the fireplace vents for any blockages. If the vents are badly blocked, call in a technician to clear them out.
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Reassemble your gas fireplace. Turn the gas valve on and relight the pilot, as applicable, following the manufacturer's instructions.
Things You Will Need
- Non-ammonia glass cleaner
- Paper towels
- Soft hand towel
- Vacuum cleaner
Tip
You can clean the fireplace glass with a mixture of one part white vinegar to one part water, or use a commercial fireplace glass cleaner. Do not use cleaners containing ammonia, which can cloud the glass over time. You can use a soft clean paintbrush to get in the cracks of the fireplace logs.
Warning
People often find bird's nest in their fireplace's vents.
