Electric fireplaces bring warmth and coziness to any home. Plus, unlike wood-burning fireplaces, they do not require much maintenance. However, even electric fireplaces need cleaning up once in a while and checking if everything is in order. Regular cleaning will ensure that your fireplace looks like new and works for a long time. If you are new to the electric fireplace game, you might be wondering how to clean an electric fireplace properly. In this article, you will get all the necessary cleaning and maintenance tips.

Is It Possible to Clean Electric Fireplace?

Of course, you can clean an electric fireplace. Because e-fireplaces use a heater to warm up, they do not need nearly as much cleaning as wood-burning fireplaces. However, cleaning the unit regularly will extend the lifespan of your electric fireplace and ensure it looks good as new. Electric fireplace maintenance is an easy process that every homeowner should follow. 

There are different types of fireplace inserts hence, there are different methods for cleaning them. So, before you start cleaning your electric fireplace, please, consult the manual for specific instructions. Generally, you can follow the next steps to clean your fireplace.

How to Clean Electric Fireplace – 6 Major Steps

Step 1 – Unplug the unit

Start by unplugging the electric fireplace. Allow it to cool down and ensure the unit is completely cold before starting cleaning.

Step 2 – Clean the exterior

Clean the exterior of the fireplace. You can use a cloth or a soft brush. Avoid using rough materials because you might scratch the surface by accident. During this step, your goal is to remove the dust and debris from the surfaces of your electric fireplace. Also, you might need to clean the smudges from the glass panel.

Step 3 – Clean the Interior

The next step is to open the fireplace. To make sure everything goes smoothly, consult the guide. If you have a wall-mounted fireplace, you have to be especially careful and check the instructions in detail. Use a soft cloth to remove dust and debris from the interior of your electric fireplace. You can use a mild detergent to clean the glass from the inside however, this is not necessary.

Step 4 – Clean the fan (if needed)

Clean the fan if your electric fireplace has one. To help with heat circulation around the house, some electric fireplaces have built-in fans. If this is the case for you, then you can use a small vacuum to clean the fan thoroughly. If the fan is especially dirty you can clean it with a wet cloth. However, you have to be careful and avoid getting water on the electrical components of the fireplace.

Step 5 – Double-Clean

Use a slightly damp cloth to wipe the interior and exterior of your electric fireplace. With this step, you can ensure that major dirt is removed from the fireplace. Avoid getting water on the electrical parts of the fireplace.

Step 6 – Dry and Wrap it Up

Make sure the electric fireplace is completely dry before you plug in the unit. If you are in a hurry, you can use a dry cloth to remove any water left from Step 5.

Remember, when cleaning an electric fireplace, your major focus should be safety. For more details, read Electric Fireplace Safety Guide

WARNING: Avoid using strong cleaning materials and chemicals as they can damage the electric fireplace. Moreover, do not get water on any electric components of an electric fireplace.

How Often Should Electric Fireplace be Cleaned?

Many people wonder about how to clean an electric fireplace and the answer to that question is quite easy as you can see. The next most popular question is how often to clean the electric fireplace.

Remember, cleaning an electric fireplace very often is simply unnecessary. However, doing it regularly will help you maintain the unit and prolong its life. You can clean an electric fireplace once every couple of months. If your usage of a fireplace depends on the season then you could also try having a seasonal cleaning schedule. Moreover, you should consider cleaning the electric fireplace often in the following cases:

 

 

• If you use an electric fireplace daily, it would be good to clean it once every month. This way you can prevent dust build-up and keep the unit in a good shape.
• Clean the fireplace frequently if you have pets. Since pets shed hair all over the place, electric fireplace gets dirtier more quickly in houses with pets.
• If you live in an area with high air pollutants and dust, clean your fireplace more frequently. If you see the dust on your electric fireplace all the time, it should be a good sign to give it a clean. Moreover, if you recently had a renovation, you will need to clean the electric fireplace along with other items and furniture.

When it comes to the frequency of cleaning an electric fireplace, just use common sense and consult the manufacturer’s instructions. No other specific guidelines are needed in this area.

Which are low-maintenance electric fireplaces?

Overall, electric fireplaces are exceptionally easy to maintain and keep them neat. However, there are some models and types of electric fireplaces that are easier to maintain.

Wall-mounted fireplaces are very easy to clean and maintain. Because of their simple and elegant design, there is not much you need to do. When choosing an electric fireplace pay attention to texture and its shape. Textured surfaces while very beautiful, can be harder to clean.

Some of the top low-maintenance fireplaces in our shop are:

• Sideline Elite by Touchstone
• Touchstone Sideline 100" Recessed Electric Fireplace
• Modern Flames 56" Landscape Pro Slim Electric Fireplace
• Wall Mount or Flush Mount Electric Fireplace by Amantii