If you have a stone fireplace, it’s important to clean the soot regularly from the chimney. Here are four easy steps to help you do just that:

  1. Use a broom to sweep the soot and ashes off of the surface of the fireplace.
  2. Pour a pot of water onto the floor of the fireplace and light a match. When the match goes out, quickly pour out the water and refill the pot with fresh water. Splash this water onto the sooty areas of the fireplace.
  3. Use a vacuum cleaner to suck up all of the soot and ash from around the fireplace opening.
  4. Pour a layer of drywall or concrete over any areas that were cleaned with water or vacuum cleaner, then cover with fresh plaster or drywall patching compound. ..