There’s nothing like a cozy fire for chilly nights. But no one wants to build a fire in a soot-filled fireplace! Here’s what to do…

First, be sure that every bit of ash is cool. Then, before removing the top layers of ash, sprinkle them with coffee grounds. If you’re a tea drinker, tear open used, moist tea bags and sprinkle the tea leaves over the sooty fireplace remains. The tea leaves or coffee grounds help prevent the ash particles from flying up into the air when you clean up the soot.

Next, gently scoop up the ashes with a fireplace shovel and place in a metal container. Leave a small layer of ash at the bottom of the fireplace as insulation to make it easier to build and maintain the next fire.

Bonus: Wood ash has a variety of uses, including adding traction on icy walkways and lowering the acidity of garden soil.

Helpful: Before lighting a fire, toss a handful of plain table salt on the logs (real, fake or made from newspaper). The salt will help to loosen soot from the chimney, and it will also give the fire a bright yellow flame.

Thanks to Bob Robinson, head sales manager for EvenTemp Distributing, for help with this tip. EvenTemp is a hearth-products distributor in 20 states from Colorado to Michigan.

More help with home maintenance…

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