For the cleaning of a painted fire screen, you have to mix a gallon of warm water with half a cup of vinegar and a teaspoon of ammonia. Then dipping a cloth into the solution, just wipe both the sides of the sides of the fire screen. Finally rinse with a cloth dipped in warm and clear water.

Carefully allow the extinguishing of the embers at the fireplace for a minimum time period of 12 hours and only then dust or vacuum the hearth place to prevent the buildup of soot. This will cut down the risks of a house fire.

Handle the firebrick gently as it tends to crumble easily. Do not bend the edges of a metal firebox as this results in openings to the wall stud and supports the spread of fire. In case your fireplace does not have an ash pit, just shovel the ashes in a bag and vacuum the lightweight ashes.