Every house with a fireplace or stove faces the problem of a clogged chimney. Over time, soot and resins accumulate on the walls, creating a fire hazard and worsening the draft. But what if I told you that there is a shocking way to clean a chimney that doesn’t require chemicals or expensive equipment? All you need is… potato peelings!

Why potato peelings?
This method sounds fake, but its effectiveness has already been tested by many homeowners. When potato peelings are burned, steam and starch are released, which help soften the soot and resin on the walls of the chimney. The remaining soot is later blown out naturally or easily removed during the next cleaning.

How does it work?
The starch contained in potato peelings reacts with the sediment in the chimney. When the peelings burn, the steam rises, affecting the soot deposits. This steam loosens the soot, making it lighter and more mobile. Over time, it either burns out completely or crumbles, making cleaning easier.

Step-by-step cleaning instructions:
Collect potato peelings. It is best to use fresh ones, but slightly dried ones will do.
Dry them. This is necessary so that the peelings burn and do not smolder. Wet peelings give off more steam, but too wet ones may simply not ignite.
Light the stove or fireplace. Wait until the fire stabilizes and the wood burns well.
Put the peelings into the fire. Do this in small portions so as not to suppress the fire. As the peelings burn, the steam released will gradually clean the chimney.
Repeat the procedure every 2-3 weeks to keep the chimney clean.
Important warning:
This method is not a panacea for serious contamination. If there is a lot of resin and soot in the chimney, it is better to contact a professional chimney sweep. Potato peelings can keep it clean, but they will not replace a full mechanical cleaning in case of serious contamination.

Conclusion
This shocking method of cleaning the chimney with potato peelings is not only environmentally friendly, but also extremely economical. Try it yourself and be surprised by the result! The time when you had to spend money on professional services or chemicals is a thing of the past. Now your chimney will be clean with the help of simple potato peelings – and no unpleasant surprises.

Try it and see for yourself that sometimes the most unexpected solutions turn out to be the most effective!