For light to moderate soot buildup, try this old, traditional method: Dip a damp newspaper page or soft cloth into fine ...

Don't risk an unsafe wood-burning fireplace! Learn how many fires you can have between cleanings and the tools and techniques needed to keep it ready for use.

Brick fireplaces may be cozy and charming, but they also blacken easily. Smoke and ash penetrate the brick during every fire and leave behind dark stains. Cleaning brick can be very challenging ...

For safety, fireplaces are designed to route smoke out of the house through the chimney. If there's a problem, however, you could end up with a smoky home.