A fire in your home fireplace on a cold evening can enhance the ambiance as well as the comfort level. An opaque sheen on the glass that protects the fireplace can bring the whole cozy feeling down.
However, facing a foggy fireplace glass is not fun. While it can seem like a complicated chore, it's not that difficult if you have the right tools and cleaning solutions in place before tackling this multistep task.
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Reduce the Danger Factor
Whenever you are removing items that are attached to the housing of your fireplace, it's better to be safe than sorry. Turn off the gas if you are pulling out the glass front that is attached to the entire opening of the fireplace.
If you have a foldable glass fireplace front that fits into hinged metal casings, you may be able to remove each pane of glass without having to dismantle the entire apparatus.
How to Remove Fireplace Glass
Gas fireplace glass removal can be tricky. Have a soft place to put the glass once it is removed so you aren't left scrambling with a heavy piece of fragile glass once you've coaxed it from the frame.
A towel that is twice the size of the glass piece with a good amount of thickness should work well. The thicker you can have the landing place for the glass, the less you have to worry about inadvertently cracking or breaking the glass.
Experts note that the glass should be fully dried before you return it to its frame so you don't have issues with breakage or cloudiness returning to the surface once the fireplace roars to life.
Vinegar to Remove Cloudiness
Undiluted vinegar is an easy, nontoxic first response to clearing cloudiness from the fireplace glass.
You can clean a fireplace glass with vinegar straight from the sprayer or dab it on with a clean towel. There is no need to dilute the mixture, and it works to shine the glass as you clear the dust and debris from the surface.
Gas Fireplace Glass Cleaner
If the vinegar is only smearing the grime around the glass rather than removing it, a commercial gas fireplace glass cleaner can cut through tough grit and soot.
If you are worried about the toxins in commercial cleaners, there are green alternatives to soot cleaners that can have a heavy chemical odor. Make sure the product you use is meant for glass, otherwise it could scratch or further damage the surface of the fireplace piece.
Clogged Lines Create Cloudiness
If you find fine cracks in the glass or black soot buildup, you may have clogged lines. These can make the gas burn hotter and dirtier, creating issues with the surrounding fireplace materials. Check that the line is clear and that the ceramic logs aren't blocking the holes along the gas line at the bottom of the fireplace.
When to Call a Pro
If you aren't sure about the gas fireplace glass removal from the front of the fireplace or are worried about working with natural gas lines, an expert can do more than step in to clean the glass.
A gas fireplace repair person can check your lines to find why the glass is getting cloudy as well as clean the piece quickly and safely. They will also check that everything is in working order, clean up any debris that has made its way into the fireplace and otherwise give the appliance a good bill of health.
If you haven't had your fireplace cleaned and checked by a professional in quite some time, it could be a good idea to have an expert take a look at the appliance.