How to Clean Glass on the Front of Gas Fireplaces

A fireplace makes a cozy addition to any home. A gas fireplace with glass doors is ideal for watching the fire burn. However, glass fireplace doors will become dirty after a few uses. Soot, carbon and dirt will cling to the glass doors, making them hazy and difficult to see through. Clean glass fireplace doors frequently to prevent the soot and carbon from building up and to maintain the appearance of the fireplace.

Things You'll Need

• Empty spray bottle
• Razor blade
• Paper towels
• Household ammonia
• Rags
• Fireplace ashes
• White vinegar

Instructions

Razor Blade

1. Fill an empty spray bottle with warm water. Saturate the glass with the water. Allow the water to sit on the glass for a few minutes.

2. Run a razor blade gently over the glass. Begin at the top and work horizontally in sections, overlapping your strokes so that no part of the glass is missed. This will remove the soot, carbon and other grime from the glass. Use caution when running the razor blade over the glass; pressing too firmly may cause damage or scratches to the glass.

3. Wipe the razor blade off with a paper towel after each horizontal pass.

4. Wipe down the fireplace glass with paper towels dampened with water. Follow up with a dry paper towel to remove any residue or streaks.

Ammonia

1. Moisten a soft rag with household ammonia. Do not dilute the ammonia with water.

2. Wipe down the glass with the ammonia-soaked rag. Switch to clean parts of the rag and add more ammonia as one part becomes soiled. Use some force when scrubbing the glass to effectively remove the grime.

3. Go over the glass with damp paper towels. Follow up by wiping down the glass with dry paper towels.

Fireplace Ashes

1. Fill an empty spray bottle with warm water. Lightly mist the fireplace glass with the water.

2. Dampen a rag with water. Dip the damp rag into some fireplace ashes to absorb a generous amount of ashes onto the rag.

3. Rub the ashes onto the fireplace glass using a circular motion. Use some force when scrubbing to effectively remove the soot and stains from the glass.

4. Apply more ashes, as necessary, until all of the dirt, soot and buildup has been removed from the glass. Wipe down the glass with damp paper towels until all of the ash residue has been removed. Follow up by wiping the glass with dry paper towels.

Vinegar

1. Fill an empty spray bottle with a white vinegar and water solution. Use 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water.

2. Spray the fireplace glass generously with the vinegar and water solution. Allow it to set on the glass for a minute or two.

3. Wipe down the glass with dry rag.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the above methods to clean both the inside and outside of the glass. If the glass is not very dirty, use the vinegar method for cleaning.

• Open windows and doors in the area you are working in when using ammonia.

• Wear rubber gloves when working with ammonia to protect your skin from irritation.

• Make sure the fireplace glass is cool prior to cleaning.

References

• Fireplace Tools Shop: How to Clean Fireplace Glass Doors Easily
• VinegarTips.com: Cleaning
• Right Living Site: How to Clean Fireplace Glass Doors