Whats the best way to clean a wood burning fireplace?

Question

My husband and I are buying a house with a smaller wood burning fireplace. It looks like it hasn't been used in years and when we move in I'd like to be able to use it and eventually turn it to gas (another question, another day). I know that there can be some dangers with fires in the chimney so I'd really like to do this right. Any suggestions are welcome!

Thanks!

Answer 1

Since you don't know when it was last used or what type of wood was burned, I highly recommend that you spend $150 for a professional chimney sweep to both clean and inspect the fireplace.  I had a chimney fire last year because creosote built up inside my chimney from burning soft pine instead of hardwood.  Better safe than sorry. They will check the structural integrity, check the flu, animal guard and spark arrestor on the roof, clean it all out and scope it.  For general cleaning after inspection, nothing beats Krud Kutter straight.  It was the only product I found that really does clean soot off any surface.

Answer 2

first make sure that the chimney is cleaned and free from nests or raccoons  or any other creature that could have built a nest in it . Check for cracks , scrub the inside of the chimney with the proper brush, open the flu /vent if it's a humid day be prepared from the smoke backing up  into the house ,keep it free from creosote at all times . And be willing to dust every day because it will be dusty , but nice to enjoy a real fireplace .