How to Clean a Cast Iron Stove

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A quick and easy guide to making a dirty cast iron stove look brand-new

Co-authored by Kadi Dulude

Last Updated: December 25, 2023 Approved

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Cleaning the Stove Interior

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Exterior

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Glass Door and Chimney

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Q&A

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Tips

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Things You'll Need

Many indoor wood-burning stoves are made completely from thick cast iron. While this material is effective at containing a fire and providing heat indoors, it will also need to be cleaned from time to time. Ash will accumulate inside the firebox after every use, and the interior can become coated with residue from ashes and smoke. You can clean the stove by regularly cleaning out the firebox, and using a wire brush and sandpaper to clean the stove’s exterior.

Things You Should Know

Spread an old newspaper in front of the stove and scoop the ashes out of the fire box.
Use a wire brush or sandpaper to remove any rust on the stove's exterior.
Wipe the exterior with a cleaning solution made of vinegar, water, and dish soap.
Remove the chimney cap and scrape off ash and soot deposits with a stiff-bristled brush.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Cleaning the Stove Interior

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1
Place an old newspaper on the ground in front of the stove. Do this as a protective measure before you begin scooping ashes out of the stove, as they are liable to drop onto the ground. A newspaper will make cleanup much easier. As you’re spreading the newspaper, open the air dampener so that any ash stuck to it will fall into the firebox.
- The air dampener will be a small knob on the front of the cast iron stove, that you should pull outward to open. If the stove is still warm, use a piece of hooked metal to pull the air dampener open.
2
Scoop the ashes out of the fire box. Open the glass door on the front of the cast iron stove and, using your metal ash shovel, scoop up all of the leftover ash inside of the stove. Place the shovelfuls of ash into a metal ash bucket. Be meticulous when cleaning the ashes out of the stove; you’ll be able to start your next fire much more easily if there are no leftover ashes in the firebox.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Kadi Dulude
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview. 22 September 2019.}
- Before you begin scooping up the ashes, make sure that the fire is completely out, and there are no live coals. If there are still any red-hot coals, wait for them to cool and go out before shoveling them up.
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3
Cover the ash can. After you’ve finished shoveling the ashes out of the firebox, place the lid back on the ash can. Set the can on a non-flammable surface, like brick or tile. It’s important to let the ash can sit for at least 48 hours before you dispose of the ashes, in case there are still any live coals in the ash.
- It’s important to keep the can covered, as a slight breeze could lift ash and soot from the can and send it flying through your house.
- Once you’ve tossed the ashes, you can also pick up the newspapers that you initially spread on the carpet. Be careful not to spill any ash on the floor. Throw the newspapers away.
4
Dispose of the ashes. When the ash bucket is full (after you’ve shoveled out the fire box several times), you’ll need to dispose of the ashes and empty the bucket. If you live in a rural area, you can simply walk a few hundred feet from your house and spread the ashes out on the ground. Alternately, if you have a compost pile or a garden, toss the ashes on top of the soil.^{[2]
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- If it’s windy outside, wait for the wind to die down before you spread the ashes. Dormant embers may re-ignite in a strong wind.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Exterior

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1
Scrape rust off with a wire brush. Depending on how old the stove is and how much rust and grime has built up on its outer surface, this may take some serious scrubbing. Focus on applying the wire brush to the top of the cast iron stove, and to other areas where rust is visible.^{[3]
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- Rust is especially likely to have built up if you’ve rested metal on the top of the cast iron stove. People often leave tea kettles on top, or use the heat of the stove to cook pans of food or raise bread dough. These uses will contribute to rust and grime on the stovetop.
2
Apply sandpaper to the exterior of the stove. Once you’ve cleaned off the majority of the rust and built-up grime with the wire brush, you can use sandpaper to get of any remaining rust and to generally clean the outside of the cast iron stove. Start with a coarse grain sandpaper, such as 150-grit. Then move on to a more fine-grained sandpaper, even one as fine as 400-grit.^{[4]
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- Sand the entire outer surface of the cast iron stove. This will remove any marks or scratches made by the wire brush or by the coarse grain sandpaper.
3
Wipe the stove down with a vinegar cleaning mixture. After you’ve finished sanding the stove, you can clean any lingering smudges of ash or dirt off of the exterior surface using a vinegar cleaning solution. Spray the solution across the surface of the cast iron stove, and wipe it clean using a few old rags.^{[5]
X
Expert Source

Kadi Dulude
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview. 22 September 2019.} Let the stove dry before you light the next fire inside.
- To make the vinegar cleaning solution, find an empty spray bottle, and combine inside two parts water to one part vinegar, then add a small amount of dish soap. Shake the spray bottle, and the cleaning solution will be ready to use.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Glass Door and Chimney

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1
Purchase a glass cleaning solution. The glass doors on a cast iron stove often become entirely blackened with built up soot and smoke, and can be difficult to clean. The best product to use for the task is a glass cleaning solution that has been specifically designed to clean wood stove front doors. Spray the product onto a couple of old rags, and use the wet rags to wipe the glass door clean.
- This product should be available at your local hardware store. If you’re having trouble finding it, speak to the sales staff and ask for their assistance.
- Glass cleaning solution contains ammonia, so be careful not to get any in your eyes. Do not inhale the solution.
2
Clean with a mixture of vinegar, water, and soap. If you’d prefer to use a non-toxic cleaning solution for the glass door, find or purchase an empty spray bottle. Mix two parts water to one part clear vinegar, and then add a squirt of regular dish soap. Shake the bottle to mix the ingredients. Then, you can spray the vinegar solution directly onto the glass, and rub it clean using old rags.
- You can find all of these products at your local grocery store or drug store. If you’re already at a hardware store shopping for the other necessary materials, you may be able to find vinegar and a spray bottle there as well.
- If there are any ashes in the cast iron stove, you can mix in a handful to your mixture before you wipe down the glass. The ashes make the glass noticeably shinier and reduce streaks.^{[6]
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  Expert Source
  
  Kadi Dulude
  House Cleaning Professional
  
  Expert Interview. 22 September 2019.}
3
Clean the chimney and chimney cap. Creosote (deposits of tar) will build up at the top of the chimney, and if left long enough, can catch fire and cause a chimney fire. To prevent this and to keep the top of the chimney clean, you’ll need to access the top of the flue via the roof. Remove the chimney cap, and, using a stiff-bristled chimney brush, scrape all of the creosote and deposits of ash and soot.^{[7]
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Research source} Also brush any built-up creosote off of the chimney cap.
- You’ll need to climb up on the roof for this step, so take the necessary safety precautions. Have a second person help you by stabilizing the base of the ladder while you’re climbing up.
- Avoid standing or walking near the edges of the roof, and don’t climb up on a windy day.

Community Q&A

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Question

I have marks on top of the stove from a tea cup, is there any way I can get them off?

Kathy5421

Community Answer

You can try using Dawn dish soap. It will clean the stove without leaving any residue. You can also use Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Soap.

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Question

If iron is perfectly clean of rust, do I have to paint or polish it? Can I leave the base metal of my cast iron stove unfinished?

Kathy5421

Community Answer

If the iron is perfectly clean, leave the stove alone. If you paint the iron, it could be a serious fire hazard. Please don't paint anything that will be used near fire. To keep your stove looking beautiful, clean it regularly, or monthly.

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Can I use WD-40 on the outside of my cast iron stove?

Community Answer

Yes, I do all the time. It will stop any future rusting. It's sensible to leave for a few hours before lighting the fire to prevent the smell of the WD-40 heating up.

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Things You’ll Need

Newspaper
Metal shovel
Ash bucket
Wire brush
Sandpaper (400 and 150 grit)
Glass cleaner solution
Old rags
Chimney brush
Spray bottle (optional)
Vinegar (optional)
Dish soap (optional)

Tips

Make sure that your cast iron stove is completely cool before you begin cleaning any part of it, including the chimney.

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Plan to clean your cast iron stove at least once every two weeks during the months that you regularly build fires. A clean stove will produce less smoke and ash, and heat your home more efficiently.

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