The Affordable Tool That Can Easily Clean Your Fireplace Mesh Screen

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

If you have mesh fireplace screen, you probably don't look forward to cleaning it. That intricately woven wire pattern, which is designed to prevent things from getting into the fire or flying out into the living space, lodges a lot of soot and dust, making cleaning a painstaking process. It may not be as daunting a task if you have a vacuum, particularly one with a brush attachment. However, for an even easier and more affordable alternative, there's a clever paintbrush hack that can revolutionize your dusting game. Though it's made for decorating surfaces or creating artwork, a paintbrush's design and fine bristles are also ideal for reaching tight spaces, like the ones on your mesh screen.

A brilliant use for a paintbrush is dusting your fireplace screen. The fine bristles, whether made of natural hair or synthetic fibers, do an excellent job of reaching every link of the mesh and coaxing out dust, soot, or debris. Just make sure the brush is dry before dusting, and preferably get a new one that hasn't been stiffened from repeated use. The good thing is you don't need any expensive brands. For example, with less than $5, you can get this DTDNZKN 3-Pack of Paintbrushes on Amazon.

Keep in mind that the frequency of cleaning your mesh screen depends on how often you use your fireplace. Generally, after every few fires, you should dust it to prevent buildup, and this is where our handy-dandy paintbrush comes to shine. If it's a peak burning season, like during winter, add a light dusting to your list of things to do every week for a cleaner home.

If you've recently put out the fire, ensure the fireplace mesh has cooled completely before cleaning. Detach the mesh screen if it's removable and carry it outside where you won't have to worry about making a mess. If you can't take it outside, lay a drop cloth around the hearth and place the screen on top. Grab your paintbrush and start dusting. Begin at the top, working your way down to the bottom. Do this on both sides of the screen until you've removed the loose soot, ash, and dust. You can then reattach the screen or take out the dropcloth.

Light dusting should be a regular habit, but at least once monthly, you'll want to do a more thorough screen cleaning. After dusting, grab a damp cloth and wipe down the screen. Every so often, like at the beginning or end of a peak season or at least once every year, you should also do a full-on deep clean. In this case, after the dusting with a paintbrush, you should use soapy water and a soft-bristle brush to scrub the screen, rinse it with clean water, and dry it properly to prevent rust. A yearly deep-clean is also a good opportunity to clean your fireplace brick with other household items you may have on hand.