How to Maintain Fireplace Screens

Fireplace screens provide that finishing touch many homeowners are looking for to cover that large hideous opening in an otherwise beautiful focal point in their room. Besides providing protection against flying sparks and embers, the screens also hide those unsightly ashes and burned logs. They are available in a wide range of designs, styles, materials and sizes , so you will surely locate a fireplace screen that will provide the style and elegance you are trying to achieve no matter the type decor of your home.

Homeowners have been decorating their fireplace openings with every style fireplace screen imaginable since the days of early colonial times. Since the early days, these screens have changed from simply being a useful piece that covers your fireplace to a beautiful work of art. These screens can be quite expensive, sometimes costing in the thousands of dollars, and will be looked upon by many homeowners as quite the investment. In order to continue to get your monies worth from the screen, it is extremely important that they remain in top condition both aesthetically and functionally. In order to maintain the condition of your fireplace screens, a periodic and thorough cleaning is of the utmost importance.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Vacuum cleaner
• Soft bristle brush
• Cleaning solution
• Lint-free cloth

1. Remove the screen from the hearth and carry it outdoors. I have found that carefully placing the screen on a nice flat surface such as a driveway or walkway makes the job go a little easier as well as the cleanup afterward.

2. Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to remove the dust from each side of the fireplace screen.

3. Make a cleaning solution by mixing 2 ounces of a mild detergent with a quart of lukewarm water. Using a soft bristle brush, gently apply the cleaning solution to help remove any caked on debris from the screen.

4. Finally, remove the remains of the cleaning solution using a damp, lint-free cloth and carefully replace the screen in front of the fireplace opening.

Tips & Warnings

• Performing this simple, yet important, cleaning method periodically throughout the heating season will keep your fireplace screens functioning perfectly and looking beautiful for many years to come.