How to Clean a Chimney Cap

You should use a chimney cap to keep animals, such as squirrels or birds, debris and water from getting into the chimney. Without a chimney cap, the fireplace will develop a smoky smell caused by rain when mixed with the creosote on the chimney walls. Chimney caps can be cleaned, but how you clean it depends on what it is made of.

Clean Stainless and Galvanized Steel Chimney Caps

1. Loosen the screws at the base of the chimney cap and remove it.


2. Soak a rag with mild detergent and water, and then use it to clean the cap.


3. Use a stiff brush to brush off the burnt-on dirt, and then rinse it off.


4. Moisten a rag in club soda, or undiluted white vinegar and wipe off the cap. This can help remove heat stains.

Clean Copper Chimney Caps

1. Dissolve 1 teaspoon salt into 1 cup white vinegar and then add flour to the mixture. Make this large enough for your chimney cap, doubling or tripling the mixture, as needed.


2. Coat the copper chimney cap with the mixture. Allow it to sit for approximately one hour, and then rinse it with water and wipe it dry using a rag.


3. Pour vinegar over the chimney cap, and then sprinkle it with salt. Rub the salt using a dry rag.


4. Rinse the chimney cap clean using plain water, and then dry off with a towel.

 Clean Clay Chimney Caps

1. Saturate the clay using a hose. Make up a bleach mixture to clean it with. Use 1 part bleach to 9 parts water.


2. Scrub off the dirt using a rag in the bleach mixture.


3. Rinse the cap off with plain water, and allow to air dry.