Things You'll Need:
- Drop cloth
- Flashlight
- Hand-held wire brush
- Chimney brush
- Blanket or sheet
- Rope
- Ladder
- Wet/dry vacuum
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Step 1
Cover the floor around your fireplace (3 or 4 feet out) with a drop cloth or old newspapers.
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Step 2
Put on long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, hat, gloves and dust mask to protect your skin and lungs.
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Step 3
Open the damper and clean it with a stiff, wire hand-held brush. Remove the damper and set it aside.
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Step 4
If your chimney has an outside bottom clean-out, open it.
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Step 5
With a flashlight and a mirror pointed upwards (if needed), check for birds nests and heavy buildup. Examine the top third of your chimney for the most buildup.
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Step 6
Hang a damp blanket or sheet over the fireplace opening to protect your living area from flying soot and creosote particles.
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Step 7
Attach a long rope to your chimney brush (if it doesn't come with a rope attached).
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Step 8
Climb a ladder onto your roof and, if necessary, to the top of the chimney.
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Step 9
Push the chimney brush down inside the chimney as far as it will go. Pull the brush out with the rope. Repeat this process numerous times.
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Step 10
Remove the damp sheet or blanket from the fireplace opening inside. Clean the soot and creosote that was loosened with a wet/dry vacuum.
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Step 11
Lie on your back and reach inside the chimney with the hand-held brush and a flashlight. Reach up as far as you can and scrape the sides with the brush. Use a mirror and flashlight to see up the chimney and determine what remains dirty.
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Step 12
Replace the damper and clean up the rest of the mess. Close the outside bottom clean-out.
