Wood Ash Use and Benefits
Do you have a wood burning fireplace but don’t know what to do with the messy ash? Don’t throw it away! Wood ash has many practical uses around the home and even in the garden/yard. Here are some benefits of using wood ash outside of the fireplace.
HOUSEHOLD CLEANER AND SILVER POLISH
White wood ash can be used to clean and maintain your home. Using ash is a good alternative to some cleaning products. Test a small area that is hidden before using on or near fabrics and furniture. If you want to get rid of dirt and grime on glass, stainless steel or frying pans, dry ash can help. You can clean the glass window of your oven or even the fireplace door by dipping a damp sponge in ash and scrub the glass gently. For a homemade silver polish that’s nontoxic, make a paste of ash and water, then rub with a cloth.
DRIVEWAY
Ash has the power of melting ice on driveways and front walkways. You can sprinkle ash on icy spots and the ice will melt within a day, without hurting the soil or concrete underneath. You can also combine white ash with water to form a paste, which can remove stains from driveways. Gently buff the paste into the surface and then wipe it off with a soft cloth. You can also use dry ash to remove wet paint on cement. Sprinkle ash directly on the wet paint splatters and it will be absorbed by the ash.
GARDEN AND YARD
Other than sunlight and water, plants need elements that can be found in ash, such as phosphorus, potassium, calcium and boron. Ash is very alkaline and raises pH levels in garden soil, which is a great environment for seeds to grow. Ash also acts as a pest repellant. It gets rid of slugs and snails when spread evenly around garden beds.
FRIDGE AND PET ODOR REMOVER
Ash is a great odor remover. Place a small bowl of ash in the fridge and change it every two days until the bad smell is gone. For pet odors, you can sprinkle ash in cat litter boxes to neutralize the smell.
Beware, after using the ash, store it in a fireproof container with the lid shut to choke any embers.