How to Make Wood Stove & Glass Cleaner
Other than televisions, wood stoves are the centerpiece of a living room. Over time, soot and other grime can build up on the stove and the stove's glass window, turning this warm centerpiece into an eyesore. Periodic cleaning with safe household ingredients will maintain the appearance as well as ensure the proper functioning of your wood stove. Cleaning the exterior and interior of the wood stove requires using a different cleaning solution from what you will use to clean the wood stove window. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Water
- Bowl or tub
- Wood stirring spoon or rubber spatula
- Sponge
- Rags
- Paper Towels
- White vinegar
- Liquid dish soap
- Spray bottle
- Newspaper (optional)
Instructions
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Wood Stove Cleaner
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1
Combine two parts baking soda, one part salt and one part water in a bowl or tub.
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2
Use a wood stirring spoon or a rubber spatula to mix the ingredients, creating a thick, white paste.
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3
Use a damp sponge to wet the stove surfaces before applying the paste.
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4
Use a rag to apply an even coat of the paste to all surfaces of the stove.
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5
Allow the paste to sit for 8 to 10 hours as it saturates the buildup on the stove.
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6
Remove the residual paste and absorbed soot and grime with rags or paper towels. Rub any areas with hard-to-remove grime or soot with steel wool.
Window Cleaner
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7
Combine two parts water and one part white vinegar in a spray bottle. Add approximately 1/2 tsp. of dish soap for every 2 1/2 cups of water and vinegar.
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8
Lightly mist the interior of the stove window with the solution.
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9
Let the solution sit on the window for several seconds, if necessary, to loosen hard-to-remove soot or grime.
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10
Use a rag, paper towel or a newspaper wad to wipe and clean the window. This is exactly the same as using a commercial glass cleaner.
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11
Repeat this process for the exterior side of the stove window.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Remove any loose ash or large chunks off soot from the stove before cleaning.
References
- Photo Credit fireplace image by Michael Shake from Fotolia.com
