Posted By North Star.

Before cleaning ashes out, mist the ashes with a spray bottle filled with water. This prevents the ashes from flying all over.

To clean a glass fireplace screen, wait until the morning after the fire. Dampen a paper towel with water, dip it in the cold ashes, and rub the glass with it. Wipe the glass with a clean paper towel or old newspaper. Toss used towels or newspaper into the fireplace to kindle the next fire.

Throw a few lemon peels into the winter fire to give your house a fresh, citrus fragrance.

Throw old candle stubs into your fire kindling and use them as starters.