Regular cleaning is essential for log burner owners, as frequent use can leave soot stains on the glass door, significantly blocking the view of the flames inside. The main cause of this unsightly problem is typically burning wood with a moisture content above 20% or allowing logs to touch the glass. One homeowner turned to the Mrs Hinch Army Cleaning Tips Facebook group seeking guidance on cleaning her log burner glass without causing any harm.
Adele Rowe posted: “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 explained that her wood-burning glass had become so heavily coated that looking through it was now virtually impossible, reports the Express.
More than 120 comments flooded in, with numerous people recommending a straightforward remedy — wet newspaper combined with ash from the stove itself.
Emma Daglish suggested: “Use the ash from the burner on some dampened newspaper. Mine was filthy and it worked like a dream.”
Jillian Morris expressed her exasperation: “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.”
Advocating a practical method, Sarah Regan proposed: “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.”
