How To Clean a Cast Iron FireplaceFriday, 6 September 2013 | Admin  | Live out your upstairs/downstairs fantasies with a spot of grate blackening! Every week: A once over with the vacuum should keep cast iron fireplaces looking presentable. Rust is a problem with cast iron, so don't use water to clean it. Stubborn dirt can be tackled with methylated spirits - apply on soft cloths, changing them as you go until they come away clean, and keeping away from any tiles as meths may damage them. Re-blacken your cast iron fireplace with black grate polish, but protect carpet, wallcoverings, etc nearby unless you'd like a huge mess. | |