Cleaning is key maintenance for log burner owners as with frequent use they can find their viewing pleasure tarnished by soot staining on the glass door, which greatly obstructs the fire’s cosy view.
The primary culprit for this grubby inconvenience is often burning wood with moisture content over 20 percent or letting logs come into contact with the glass.
A homeowner reached out to the Mrs Hinch Army Cleaning Tips Facebook group for advice on how to care for her log burner glass without causing damage.
Adele Rowe wrote: “This is the inside of the glass on our log burner, I’ve never cleaned it before – what can I use that won’t damage it?”
She noted that her wood burner glass was so heavily encrusted that peering through had become impossible.
A flurry of over 120 responses was shared in the comments, with many suggesting a simple solution – damp newspaper coupled with ashes from the stove.
Emma Daglish advised: “Use the ash from the burner on some dampened newspaper. Mine was filthy and it worked like a dream.”
Jillian Morris shared her frustration: “Nightmare, isn’t it? I bought the HG stove glass cleaner from Amazon, but ash, water and newspaper are good to polish off the glass.”
Suggesting a hands-on approach, Sarah Regan recommended: “Best thing is using damp newspaper and soot. You will get filthy but I promise your log burner will gleam. I had a client who asked me to do this every time for her.”
Rachel Block chimed in: “Damp newspaper and ash. It’ll bring it up in minutes. Cleaning products don’t do the same job.”
Nicky White responded: “Bowl of water and newspaper. Dip newspaper in the water and then in ash and then give it a good rub over the glass. Comes up like new.”
Marie Rushton suggested: “Damp newspaper and ashes, it is honestly a two-minute job and the black marks disappear leaving your glass spotless.”
Chantelle Neal said: “Literally just use the ash, rub with newspaper and it will be clear in seconds! You don’t need to use anything.”
Tracey O’Mara chimed in: “Use the ashes to clean the glass. Dampen some newspaper (or kitchen towel, but it’s not as good as it breaks down), dab paper into the ash and rub over the glass (quite hard).
“The ash mixture brings the black off the window. You can do more than once to bring it all off. Works every time and is not difficult.”