Remove black log burner stains with 'unusual' common item

The onset of colder temperatures, persistent rain and brisk winds has seen scores of Britons turning to their log burners to maintain a warm and snug atmosphere at home. Although these burners are a delightful source of heat, they do require regular maintenance to stay clean, particularly the glass components which are notorious for developing black stains and stubborn burnt-on residues.

These marks often arise from insufficient airflow and direct contact between the fuel and the glass surface. Indeed, it's common for the glass to become scorched if wood is allowed to press against it, leading to unattractive black stains.

This issue has recently been a topic of discussion in social media circles, with Facebook user Cherie Dixon taking to 'Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips', a popular group on Facebook, seeking advice on how to get her log burner's glass sparkling again. Her plea didn't go unnoticed and a plethora of suggestions poured in.

However, the most startlingly effective cleaning hack that gained popularity involved using something quite unexpected - ash. Phyl Featherstone advised: "When you clean it out, use the ash. Dip damp newspaper in the ash and rub the glass. It works. Just needs a wipe with a clean cloth afterwards."

Heather E Bentley added: "Always works for me. Damp the kitchen roll, dip in ash and then wipe. Works on a dirty oven door too. You just have to wipe clean after," reports the Express.

Carol Bayliss chimed in, endorsing a similar technique: "Dampen a piece of scrunched up kitchen roll in water, dip in the ash in the burner and use to clean the glass. Works like magic. Was recommended by someone on this site. My other half thought I'd lost the plot until he tried it."

The ash from a wood burner, which is naturally abrasive, can be used to effectively clean glass surfaces without causing damage by removing soot and stubborn dark marks. Albeit, one log burner user gave a crucial tip. Phyl Featherstone added: "Apparently, the ash has to be wood ash. If you burn anything else it's not the same."