There’s something special about a real, wood-burning fireplace: The scent, the crackling sounds, and watching the logs slowly burn down to glowing embers. But they’re also a hassle, and pretty dirty.

Lee Wallender is a home improvement writer of nearly 20 years and specializes in home remodeling, repair and maintenance. Kristin is a lead editor at Forbes Home and has nearly a decade of ...

Q: Read your article [about fireplace cleaning]. I have a propane gas fired fireplace that uses Rasmussen/Alterna Fire Stones. Do not believe that previous owner (3.5 yrs ago) ever used the fireplace.

Fireplace cleaning logs often sound like a too-good-to-be-true solution. Toss one into the fire, burn it like a regular log, and let chemistry handle the mess in your chimney. But do fireplace ...

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

Homeowners may wonder how a wood-burning fireplace differs from a gas fireplace. Well, both heat your home, but their similarities mostly end there. A wood-burning fireplace offers a rich, crackling ...