Fireplaces are wonderful. They’re decorative, nostalgic, and provide warmth. However, they do make a big mess, mainly wood ash. Instead of throwing this material out, here are some ways you can put it to good use.
Before getting into the various uses for wood ash, it’s good to know what we’re talking about. Wood ash is a powdery residue left after burning wood in a fireplace, wood stove, or outdoor fire pit. It mainly consists of minerals in the wood, like calcium carbonate, potassium, magnesium, and a little phosphorous.
These minerals don’t burn and are what’s left behind after the wood is consumed by fire. Wood ash is highly alkaline, with a pH ranging from 9-11, making it useful for balancing acidic soils and other applications requiring an alkaline substance. It also contains nitrogen.
If you love gardening or have houseplants, wood ash is an excellent form of nutrients. Plants thrive on calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous, all of which are contained in wood ash. However, you must test the soil before using it. Wood ash is highly alkaline, making it ideal for neutralizing acidic soils.
Test your soil’s pH to see its makeup to ensure it can benefit from the extra alkalinity. Once you determine its acidity, sprinkle a thin layer of ash and mix it into the soil. Use sparingly, however, because too much can raise the soil’s pH too much and hurt the plants.
Another benefit wood ash can provide to your garden is helping to control pests like snails and slugs. The ash’s alkaline properties irritate their bodies, deterring them away from the plants.
Sprinkle a thin layer of ash around the plants you want to protect and be sure to reapply after rain or watering because moisture can reduce the ash’s effectiveness.
Adding wood ash to your compost pile can balance its acidity, particularly if you compost acidic materials like fruit peels and coffee grounds. Sprinkle a small amount of ash onto the compost pile and avoid adding large amounts at once because it can make the compost overly alkaline.
Wood ash is an eco-friendly alternative to salt for melting ice. The dark color absorbs heat, helping ice melt faster. The gritty texture can provide traction on slippery surfaces like sidewalks, walkways, and steps.
People have used wood ash for centuries as a natural cleaning agent because it’s mildly abrasive. It’s effective for polishing silverware and cleaning glass. For silverware, mix a small amount of ash with water to make a paste, then use a cloth to rub the paste into the tarnished silver.
For glass, dampen a cloth, dip it into the ash, and scrub-stained windows on your fireplace, stove, or what have you.
Wood ash can neutralize odors in places prone to bad smells. Its alkaline properties absorb and neutralize odors naturally without chemicals. You could place a bowl of wood ash in musty areas, like the basement or garage, or sprinkle it on pet urine spots outside to reduce the odor.
The potassium and other nutrients found in wood ash are excellent for your lawn. It helps grass to grow in acidic soil, but you must be careful about how much you use. Apply a light dusting to your lawn with a spreader and water thoroughly to help the soil absorb the nutrients.
If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, making soap is a fun project. Wood ash contains lye, which is a key ingredient in soap making. To extract the lye, boil the wood ash with water and strain the mixture. Use the resulting solution in homemade soap recipes.
How to Handle Wood Ash SafelyAs you can see, wood ash has many uses around the house, but you must be careful about how you use and handle it. Only use ash from untreated, clean wood. Ash from painted, stained, or pressure-treated wood can contain harmful chemicals, which will negate the affects you want to achieve.
Also, store ash in a metal container with a lid to guard against kids from getting into it and to prevent a fire. Ash can retain heat for several days, so you must be careful about storage.
Lastly, wear a mask and gloves when handling ash to protect your skin and lungs from irritation.
For more tips about wood ash or to schedule a chimney cleaning, maintenance, or inspection, call Chimney Solutions in Chattanooga. We have over 20 years of experience, and our technicians are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. Schedule an appointment today!
