Your fireplace is a cozy spot that adds warmth and charm to your home, especially during colder months. But what you place on or near it matters more than you might realize.
Knowing what not to put on your fireplace helps keep your home safe and your fire burning clean. This guide will help you avoid common mistakes and protect both your space and your peace of mind.
Treated plywood
You should never burn treated plywood in your fireplace. It contains chemicals like glues, paints, and preservatives that release toxic fumes when burned.
These fumes can harm your health and damage your chimney or firebox. Plus, burning treated plywood increases the risk of corrosion and fire hazards.
Instead, stick to clean, untreated wood for your fires. It keeps your home safer and your indoor air quality better.
Charcoal briquettes
You might think charcoal briquettes are a convenient fuel for your fireplace, but it’s best to avoid them. Burning charcoal indoors can release carbon monoxide, a colorless gas that’s harmful and hard to detect.
Charcoal also burns much hotter than wood, which can damage your fireplace and chimney. If you want a safe, cozy fire, stick to seasoned firewood instead. Your home and health will thank you!
Scented candles
You might enjoy the cozy glow and fragrance of scented candles, but they’re not safe for your fireplace. Burning them there can cause melted wax to drip and build up, creating clogs in your chimney.
This buildup affects airflow and may lead to poor ventilation. That means your fire won’t burn as efficiently as it should.
It’s best to keep scented candles out of the fire and enjoy them separately. This way, you protect your fireplace and enjoy both safely.
Colored paper
You might think burning colored paper is harmless, but it’s best to avoid it. The inks and glossy finishes often contain chemicals that release toxic fumes when burned.
These fumes can irritate your throat and lungs, especially if your fireplace isn’t well-ventilated.
Instead, stick to plain, untreated paper or seasoned firewood. This keeps your fireplace safer and your indoor air cleaner.
Laundry lint
Laundry lint might seem harmless, but it’s not safe to burn in your fireplace. It’s highly flammable and can cause a sudden flare-up, which is dangerous for you and your home.
When lint burns, it can release harmful chemicals from the detergents and fabric softeners still trapped in it. This can affect your indoor air quality.
Keep your fireplace for clean, dry wood only. Saving laundry lint for your fireplace isn’t worth the risk to your safety or your family’s health.
