Chimneys need to be cleaned at least once a year, or three times per year if you use the fire daily to burn solid fuels such as wood and coal. Our easy to follow 9 step how to guide will make the task of cleaning a chimney at home a manageable DIY job for anyone.

1. How to Clean a
Chimney
Chimneys need to be cleaned at
least once a year, or three times
per year if you use the fire daily
to burn solid fuels such as wood
and coal.
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2. Step 1: Prepare Surrounding Area
• Remove all items from in front
of the fireplace, moving back
any furniture as much as
possible.
• Cover furniture and other
dust-sensitive items in the
room with an old sheet as
chimney sweeping will create a
very fine airborne dust.

3. Step 2: Lay Tarpaulin
• Roll back any rugs and lay
down a tarpaulin or heavy
floor covering in front of the
fireplace.

4. Step 3: Remove Grate & Clean
Fireplace
• Wearing your dust mask and
protective gloves and eyewear,
remove the surrounds and
grate from the fireplace.
• Taking care not to breathe in
soot or creosote dust, shovel
out any ash or debris from the
fireplace.

5. Step 4: Inspect Chimney
• Use a torch to look up the
flue.
• Check for any birds that may
have taken up residence.
Inspect for any cracks or
missing firebricks
• Check the thickness of any
creosote build-up using a
blade or scraper; if it is more
than 3mm thick, it is definitely
time for a clean.

6. Step 5: Select Chimney Brush
• Determine the size and shape
of the flue. It should be either
square or round, 6 inch or 8
inch.
• You should have more than
enough rods to allow the
chimney brush to reach the
entire length of the chimney.
• Push the rod up the flue until
the bottom end of the rod is in
the middle of the fireplace.

7. Step 6: Set Up Dust Control
• This step is optional but highly
recommended.
• Use masking tape to attach a
dust sheet or cardboard to the
fireplace surround.
• Cut a 6 inch slot in the dust
sheet with a scissors for the
end of the rod to come
through.

8. Step 7: Add More Rods & Start
Scrubbing
• Through the hole in the dust
sheet or cardboard, attach
another rod to lengthen your
chimney brush.
• With a hard and vigorous
thrust, scrub the flue with the
brush, adding more rods as
you proceed up the flue.

9. Step 8: Withdraw Brush & Remove
Soot
• You will know you have reached
the top of the chimney when
you feel a sudden reduction in
friction and effort.
• Withdraw the brush unscrewing
one rod at a time.
• Unscrew the last rod, let the
brush fall into the soot pile.
• Remove the brush and carefully
shovel the pile of soot into a
metal bucket.

10. Step 9: Vacuum & Finish
• An ash vacuum will make the
clean-up easier.
• Reassemble the grate and
surrounds, and shake out
sheets or coverings outside.
• Soot can be disposed of by
burial, as although it is
flammable it is non-toxic and
environmentally friendly.

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clean-a-chimney
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