Tips on cleaning Fireplaces

A fireplace will take centre stage in any room. Not only do they create the major focal point in your home, they also feature an effective heating source that requires regular maintenance to keep it looking it´s best and working safely. This article will provide useful tips on cleaning fireplaces in a variety of finishes such as wooden fire surrounds, marble fireplaces and stone fireplace designs.

Wooden Fire Surrounds
Probably the easiest option for keeping clean, fire surrounds made from either solid wood of MDF veneer should generally only require regular dusting to keep them looking pristine. Wood polish can also be used if preferred on polished finishes but we would always suggest trying it on a small area first. Waxed finished fire surrounds can become marked over time and if needed you can re-apply a top coat of wood wax to get the fireplace looking as good as the day it was fitted!

Marble Fireplaces
Probably one of the most often asked questions is ´what do I clean my marble fireplace with?´ During installation, it is likely that the fireplace will end up with dirty marks from soot covered hands and general building dust. A clean, damp cloth should remove all these marks and a dry duster can be used to buff the marble up to reveal it´s beautiful finish. The only products we would recommend using are dedicated marble cleaners as other creams or liquids come damage the highly polished surfaces of marble. Be Modern Fireplaces offer a kit especially designed for their range of marble & stone fireplaces.

Be Modern all-in-one Marble & Stone Care Kit cleans, protects and cares for marble fireplaces as well as stone and granite products. It includes stone fireplace cleaner, cream marble fireplace polish and a special sealer that helps prevent and spilt liquids staining your fireplace. The kit also includes polishing cloths, protective gloves and a user guide.

Stone Fireplaces
Due to the porous nature of natural stone fireplaces it is always recommended that you seal the fireplace with a specially designed water sealer after installation. This must be carried out once the fireplace is completely dry (can take up to several months). Popular brands of protective stone sealer include Lithofin Stainstop. These products are designed to give a protective barrier and will help prevent any spilt liquids soaking into the stone. Once again, we would always recommend trying a small are first to ensure that the sealer doesn´t change the appearance of the stone.

For cleaning and general maintenance of stone fireplaces we would advise using warm water and a sponge to remove any surface marks. A mild detergent can be added for any stubborn stains.

Cast Iron Fireplaces
Cast Iron is such a hardy material and even the scruffiest mantels can be refurbished to their original glory. It´s always a good idea to invest in a tin of matt black high temperature paint if you´re planning on getting a cast-iron fireplace. Scratches and marks can be removed simply by giving the mantel a fresh coat of paint. Polished cast-iron surfaces can be buffed using wire wool and adding a touch of light oil such as WD40 to the wire wool should help remove any surface rust if the fireplace has been subjected to moisture. Do make sure that any oil residue it cleaned off before using the fire.

Gas & Electric Fire Maintenance
As well as annual servicing, there are several measure most people can do themselves to ensure their fire stays in tip-top condition. Regular cleaning of a gas fire or electric fire will entail polishing trims & frets with a metal polish. Coals, pebbles or logs can be removed and any dust brushed or vacuumed from the fire bed. You must make sure that all fuel effects are replaced in the correct layout following the manufacturers instructions.