Get matched with top chimney sweeps in Apple River, IL

Q: How do you get soot off chimney bricks?

• <div><p>Depending on the amount of soot present, you can vacuum some of it using a brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Then, remove the leftovers with a mild cleaner, such as dish soap or vinegar mixed with water. Before applying a cleaning solution, saturate the bricks with clean water to prevent the cleaner from penetrating beyond the surface and causing structural damage to the bricks.</p></div>

Q: Does homeowners insurance cover DIY mistakes?

• <div><p>Homeowners insurance does not cover DIY mistakes, so tread lightly if you plan to tackle your own home repairs or renovations. If you cause damage to your home while attempting repairs or renovations yourself, the cost of fixing the damage is often considered your responsibility. Most policies only cover damage caused by covered perils like fire, theft, or weather&mdash;not by homeowner errors.</p></div>

Q: Can mineral spirits combust?

• <div><p>Yes, mineral spirits are flammable and may spontaneously combust at temperatures of 200 degrees F or more. Storing them in well-ventilated spaces and disposing of them the proper way are the best ways to prevent mineral spirits or anything contaminated with them, like towels and rags, from going up in smoke.</p></div>

Q: Can smoke damage be completely removed?

• <div><p>In many cases, professionals can completely remove certain <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/smoke-damage-types.htm">types of smoke damage</a> from walls and ceilings, but it&rsquo;s only possible if the damage is minor. For more extensive damage from major fires, you&rsquo;ll likely need to replace the damaged materials entirely. Some items, like upholstered furniture, are much trickier to clean and might need to be replaced even if the smoke damage is minimal.</p></div>

Q: Does a bowl of vinegar absorb smoke?

• <div><p>Yes, a bowl of vinegar can absorb smoke. If you want to use this method to reduce the smoke smell in your house, all you have to do is leave a bowl (or multiple bowls) of white vinegar out overnight. Alternatively, you can use bowls of baking soda, coffee grounds, or activated charcoal.</p></div>

Enter your zip and get matched with up to 5 pros

Need a pro for your chimney sweeping project in Apple River, IL?

Select your specific project to find the pro for you.

Verified Reviews for Chimney Sweeping pros in Apple River, IL

*The Angi rating for Chimney Sweeping companies in Apple River, IL is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Chimney Sweeping needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Chimney Sweeping companies in Apple River, IL is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Chimney Sweeping needs.

Last update on September 06, 2025

Reviewed in September 2025
Showed up on time and quickly cleaned the carpet at the agreed upon price. Very professional and very knowledgeable. I would recommend Country Charm to all my family and friends. JB
Country Charm Carpet Cleaning Service
Request a quote
Reviewed in June 2025
Job went great guys were at my house by 8 am an leaving by 5pm
Mad City Windows & Baths
Request a quote
Reviewed in March 2025
He painted the entire exterior of our rather large house and did the trim. It was a beautiful job in my house is quite the show piece for the neighbourhood. He has in also done many other jobs for me and done them well for a good price. he also created an office on the lower floor of my house...
Territory Painting
Request a quote
Reviewed in June 2024
If you’re looking for someone great and reliable - this company is it! From the start to the finish they provided an excellent service. Ms. Monika helped us with the counter top selection and Mrs. Rafal made sure the project was completed on time. It was a breeze to work with them and we will...
kitchen and bath stone design
Request a quote
Reviewed in August 2023
The roofing service from Perfect Choice was outstanding. The team did a great job and left my property tidy after completing the project. We are really happy with the new roof.
Perfect Choice Exteriors LLC
Request a quote
Reviewed in November 2021
Great service and amazing quality
Zolkon Power, Inc.
Request a quote
Reviewed in September 2021
I don?t know why it says Cinderella Cleaning, because it was home organizing, but Taha A. Was the most professional, kind, efficient person I could have asked for! I was unable to unpack like I thought I was going to do, due to work, so the job became much more complicated than it was supposed...
Cinderella Cleaning
Request a quote
Reviewed in September 2021
John Caldwell contacted me right away and scheduled an appointment. He power washed my chimney and it turned out looking like new! I completely recommend Caldwell Homescapes.
Caldwell Homescapes
Request a quote
Reviewed in June 2021
Wow! I needed a service to clean my rental. Not only did they call me right back, they fit me in within the next 24 hours. They cleaned everything to perfection. The wood floors were spotless and the bathrooms and kitchen were as well. It smelled fabulous too! I highly recommend them!
We Mean Cleaning
Request a quote
Reviewed in November 2017
My service Technicians were Mark and Markus, they were friendly and polite, they explained everything to me including pictures where there were some issues. They handled everything in one day and were very careful and clean. I will be calling them again for any future chimney service.
A-1 Safety Chimney Service, Inc.
Request a quote

Find Chimney sweeps in Apple River

Chimneys R Us, LLC

4.0(

)

Clean and Inspect a wood fireplace chimneyChimney or Fireplace - Clean and Inspect - For BusinessClean and Inspect a gas fireplace+2 more

Serving Apple River, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2017

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Hired them to repair chimney, including replacing missing bricks, resetting mortar and, cementing top and installing a chimney cap. They performed everything to spec and were fast and efficient all the way through."

Response time1 hour

Response rate99%

1 neighbors recently requested a quote

Request Quote

Shamrock Maintenance Corp.

3.4(

702

)

Chimney or Fireplace - Clean and Inspect - For BusinessClean and Inspect a wood burning stove or pellet stoveClean and Inspect a wood fireplace chimney+1 more

Serving Apple River, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2015

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"After 3 chimney sweep inspections, Alan was the only one to find a solution to my fireplace smoking VERY knowledgeable."

+33

Response time1 day

Response rate100%

Recommended by85%of homeowners

Request Quote

KC Cleaning Crew

New to Angi

Clean and Inspect a gas fireplaceClean and Inspect a wood burning stove or pellet stoveClean and Inspect a wood fireplace chimney+1 more

Serving Apple River, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

Offers commercial services

At KC Cleaning Crew, we specialize in post construction cleaning and general cleaning that gets your space ready for the spotlight — whether it's a grand opening, new office launch, or a freshly renovated property. We know the final step before opening your doors is making sure everything is spotless, safe, and presentation-ready. That’s where we come in.\n\nAs a proud local business, we’re more than just a cleaning crew — we’re part of the community. We’re committed to supporting other local businesses by providing reliable, detailed cleaning services that help you shine from day one.\n\nFrom dust to debris, we handle the mess so you can focus. We work with you to ensure all your cleaning needs are met with quality and in a timely manner. \n\nClean space and Clean start\n

Chimney or Fireplace - Clean and Inspect - For BusinessClean and Inspect a gas fireplaceClean and Inspect a wood burning stove or pellet stove+1 more

Serving Apple River, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2023

Credit card accepted

"Very courteous and willing to fit into my need for prompt chimney cleaning."

Response time1 day

Response rate94%

Recommended by83%of homeowners

Chimney or Fireplace - Clean and InspectChimney or Fireplace - Clean and Inspect - For BusinessClean and Inspect a gas fireplace+3 more

Serving Apple River, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2007

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"easy to use. great service"

Recommended by93%of homeowners

Request Quote

Agape Construction & Improvement

4.0(

)

Chimney or Fireplace - Clean and InspectChimney or Fireplace - Clean and Inspect - For BusinessClean and Inspect a gas fireplace+3 more

Serving Apple River, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2009

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Great job. We live in a wooded area so the roof gets pretty messy.
"

Recommended by90%of homeowners

Request Quote

Intensive cleaning unit

New to Angi

Clean and Inspect a gas fireplaceClean and Inspect a wood burning stove or pellet stoveClean and Inspect a wood fireplace chimney+1 more

Serving Apple River, IL and surrounding areas

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

Credit card accepted

I offer thorough, reliable cleaning services tailored to your schedule, from deep scrubs to weekly maintenance. Let me handle the mess so you can enjoy your space—

Request Quote

Foley S&S Cleaning Services

New to Angi

Clean and Inspect a gas fireplaceClean and Inspect a wood burning stove or pellet stoveClean and Inspect a wood fireplace chimney+1 more

Serving Apple River, IL and surrounding areas

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Small jobs welcome

I have 17yrs of all types of cleaning experience and 2 yrs of that running my own cleaning business. I offer a verity of cleans residential, shops, Air BnB, campers/Rv, rentals, commercial cleans, offices, ect. I do travel within reason and offer free quotes! I have several references as well. Dont hesitate to reach out even if you just have a couple questions I would be happy to help. \nThank you. ☺️ ✨ \nFoley S&S Cleaning Services LLC\n815-499-3168\n

Request Quote

Kleaner cleaners

New to Angi

Clean and Inspect a gas fireplaceClean and Inspect a wood burning stove or pellet stoveClean and Inspect a wood fireplace chimney+1 more

Serving Apple River, IL and surrounding areas

Kleaner cleaners offer all areas of cleaning with maintenance services offered too. Reasonably priced and dedicated to customer satisfaction with only 4 workers family oriented call us or text at 779-223-2282 \[email protected] \n

21 neighbors recently requested a quote

Request Quote

Erin Peterson

New to Angi

Clean and Inspect a gas fireplaceClean and Inspect a wood burning stove or pellet stoveClean and Inspect a wood fireplace chimney+1 more

Serving Apple River, IL and surrounding areas

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Small jobs welcome

Hi, I’m Erin. I offer reliable, detail-oriented cleaning services for homes, vacation rentals, and offices, along with organization and decluttering support. I use pet-safe products and tailor each cleaning to fit your needs, whether you’re looking for routine maintenance, a deep clean, or help getting your space back on track. I take pride in being dependable, efficient, and treating every home with the same care and respect I give my own.

Request Quote

Showing 1-10 of 13

Chimney Sweep questions, answered by experts

Depending on the amount of soot present, you can vacuum some of it using a brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Then, remove the leftovers with a mild cleaner, such as dish soap or vinegar mixed with water. Before applying a cleaning solution, saturate the bricks with clean water to prevent the cleaner from penetrating beyond the surface and causing structural damage to the bricks.

Homeowners insurance does not cover DIY mistakes, so tread lightly if you plan to tackle your own home repairs or renovations. If you cause damage to your home while attempting repairs or renovations yourself, the cost of fixing the damage is often considered your responsibility. Most policies only cover damage caused by covered perils like fire, theft, or weather—not by homeowner errors.

Yes, mineral spirits are flammable and may spontaneously combust at temperatures of 200 degrees F or more. Storing them in well-ventilated spaces and disposing of them the proper way are the best ways to prevent mineral spirits or anything contaminated with them, like towels and rags, from going up in smoke.

In many cases, professionals can completely remove certain types of smoke damage from walls and ceilings, but it’s only possible if the damage is minor. For more extensive damage from major fires, you’ll likely need to replace the damaged materials entirely. Some items, like upholstered furniture, are much trickier to clean and might need to be replaced even if the smoke damage is minimal.

Yes, a bowl of vinegar can absorb smoke. If you want to use this method to reduce the smoke smell in your house, all you have to do is leave a bowl (or multiple bowls) of white vinegar out overnight. Alternatively, you can use bowls of baking soda, coffee grounds, or activated charcoal.

The Apple River, IL homeowners’ guide to chimney sweeping services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

See all articles

Nick P. Cellucci
•
Oct 22, 2026Oct 22, 2026
How Much Does a Chimney Sweep Cost? [2026 Data]
Chimney sweep costs can be dramatically affected by the type of chimney, its location, and how dirty it is.
Nick P. Cellucci
•
Sep 21, 2026Sep 21, 2026
How Much Does a Chimney Liner Cost? [2026 Data]
Chimney liners are important for fire safety and energy efficiency in your home. Learn how much chimney liners cost based on type, size, material, and other factors.
Chris Middleton
•
Jul 15, 2026Jul 15, 2026
How to Hire a Chimney Sweep
Your chimney sweep may not wear a top hat and dance on the ceiling, but they will keep your home safe by providing chimney inspections and cleanings. Follow these steps to learn how to hire a qualified and trusted chimney sweep in your town.
Terri Beth Miller
•
Jul 31, 2026Jul 31, 2026
What to Know Before Hiring a Chimney Sweep
Maintaining your chimney and fireplace is a priority if you love curling up in front of a fire on chilly nights. Here's what to know before hiring a chimney sweep.
Haniya Rae
•
Jul 15, 2026Jul 15, 2026
How to Use Creosote Sweeping Logs to Keep Your Chimney Clean and Safe
Knowing how to use a creosote sweeping log for additional maintenance in between your annual chimney sweep can help keep your home safe from fires.
Kristi Pahr
•
Jul 20, 2026Jul 20, 2026
How to Hire a Reputable Chimney Sweep That’ll “Soot” Your Needs
Knowing what to look for in a professional chimney sweeping service will ensure you hire a legitimate contractor. Learn how to avoid chimney scams and hire someone reputable.