How to Get Rid of Fireplace Smell for Good
A stale, smoky, sometimes acrid smell from the fireplace comes from leftover ash, soot, and creosote buildup in the firebox and chimney, worst in warm, humid weather. Clean out the ash, and have the chimney swept, and the smell clears.
We make small-batch beeswax candles in Far Rockaway, so a room that truly smells clean is our whole focus, and that always starts at the source rather than the scent. Below is where the smell comes from, how to clear it step by step, and how to keep the space fresh afterward, with the full the MBur beeswax candle collection here as you read.
Why the fireplace smells
Ash and soot left in the firebox smell, especially when humidity draws the odor out. Creosote, the tarry residue from burning wood, coats the chimney and adds a sharp, acrid note.
A chimney that draws poorly also lets that smoke smell drift back into the room. Clearing the ash and the chimney is what fixes it.
How to clean it, step by step
- Clean out the firebox. Once the ash is fully cold, remove it into a metal bucket, never with a vacuum on warm ash, and wipe the firebox walls.
- Scrub the hearth and glass. Clean the hearth surface and any glass doors with a fireplace glass cleaner or a paste of ash and water, which lifts soot.
- Absorb the smell. Set out a bowl of baking soda or charcoal in the firebox when it is not in use to absorb the musty soot odor.
- Have the chimney swept. Creosote buildup is both the smell and a fire hazard, so have a professional sweep and inspect the chimney about once a year for regular use.
- Improve the draft. A blocked cap or negative pressure pushes smoke smell inward. A chimney cap and a proper damper help, and a sweep can advise.
The annual sweep is safety, not just smell. Creosote is what causes chimney fires, so having it cleaned protects the house as much as it clears the odor.
Keep it from coming back
Remove ash after fires, and keep the damper closed when the fireplace is not in use.
Have the chimney swept annually, and install a cap to keep out rain and animals.
Freshen the whole room once the source is gone
With the stale soot handled, the air itself is the last step. A clean candle is the finishing touch here, best lit once the space is already clean. From there it is the fastest way to make the room read fresh rather than merely neutral.
For your living room, Retail Therapy fits well. It is juicy and bright, with red currant, peach, and amber, and like every MBur candle it is poured from 100% beeswax with a wooden wick and phthalate-free non-toxic fragrance oils, so freshening the air never means adding soot on top.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my fireplace smell, especially in summer?
Warm, humid air draws the smell out of soot and creosote in the firebox and chimney. Clean out the ash and keep the damper closed, and have the chimney swept.
How often should I have my chimney swept?
About once a year for regular use. Creosote buildup is a fire hazard, so an annual sweep and inspection is a safety measure.
Is it safe to vacuum fireplace ash?
Only cold ash, and ideally with an ash vacuum, since a regular vacuum can spread fine soot or pick up a hidden ember. Scoop cold ash into a metal bucket.
How do I stop smoke smell coming back into the room?
Keep the damper closed when not in use, install a chimney cap, and have a sweep check the draft, since poor draw pulls smoke smell inside.
Ready to keep your space smelling clean once the source is handled? Explore the MBur beeswax candle collection and find the scent that fits the room.
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