Although it may not be the most eco-friendly way to cosy up, there's nothing quite like relaxing in front of a flickering log fire on a cold winter's night. But if your log burner is anything like ours, it probably hasn't seen a good clean in months (or years). If you're not sure how to get started, don't worry - we've got you covered. Read on for our top tips on how to clean a log burner.

1. Gather your supplies. You'll need a stiff brush, a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment, some surface cleaner (we recommend Shinythings) and some elbow grease. Also make sure you have plenty of time set aside - cleaning a log burner can be a bit of a messy job.

2. Start by vacuuming up any loose soot and ashes from the fire chamber. Make sure to lay down a sheet, so that you don't end up with soot everywhere.

3. Next, use the brush to scrub away any remaining soot and debris from the walls of the fire chamber. Again, make sure you have something to cover your carpet.

4. Once you're satisfied that the fire chamber is clean, it's time to tackle the grate. Remove any ashes and debris, then use the brush to scrub away any built-up soot. Vacuum up these last remaining ashes and debri.

5. Spray the glass and the metal outside with your surface cleaner (again… Shinythings is great for this) and give the whole log burner a once-over with a damp cloth to remove any lingering dust or dirt. To shine it up, buff with a dry cloth.

And that's it! Your log burner should now be sparkling clean and ready for action. Just remember to give it another good clean once every few months (or years) to keep it looking its best.

Top tip: if you want to make your log burner as eco friendly as possible, make sure to source your logs or wood pellets locally and use sustainable products where possible to clean it.