9 Unexpected And Brilliant Uses For The Wood Ash From Your Fireplace

Fireplaces are a cozy feature to have in a home. But with them come the build-up of a flammable byproduct called creosote if your fireplace is not cleaned out regularly. This build-up can eventually cause a fire in your home. While the ashes should be cleared out after every use, you can empty and clean your fireplace once a month. However, as you clean, don't throw out those cinders. Instead, check out these nine brilliant uses for the wood ash.

When using the cinders from your fireplace, there are some things to remember. First, what you burn is imperative. You don't want to use ash from cardboard, charcoal, plastic, painted wood, or paper. Chemicals from other fire starting supplies can also be harmful. Instead, your best bet is to stick to untreated wood for the best and safest results. Speaking of safety, do not pick up ash without the proper protective gear. Wear a mask and gloves. Also, wait until the fire is completely out with no heat coming off of it. Once everything is safe, scoop out your ash and put it in an airtight metal container for future use.

Interested in composting? Well, your wood ash is the perfect way to start. These embers have nutrients like magnesium, calcium, and many more that soil and plants need to thrive. While you can burn any untreated wood, choices like oak, hickory, and walnut produce significantly more ash than fir or pine. Mix in the wood ash about every six inches of compost. Another great method to use is to create a compost tea, where you soak the cinders in water for four to five days before adding the liquid to your compost.

Make your silver pieces shine like new by using wood ash from your fireplace to polish them. For this hack, all you need is 1 cup of ash and a little bit of water. Combine the two together until it forms a paste. Take your mixture and spread it on your tarnished silver. Keep the paste on the item for a few minutes before wiping away with a cloth. Repeat this until your piece looks new. You can use this natural method on other dull metals and clouded glass as well!

As an old wives tale, you may have heard that your cinders can help with easier ice removal. But can fireplace ash really help melt the snow in your yard and on your driveway? The answer is yes! Spread the ashes on ice and snow spots to help with melting. As a darker product, the color of ash helps absorbs heat from the sun to quicken melting time. While this way isn't as fast as ice salt, this natural method doesn't harm your grass and plants, unlike salt and other melting agents that have harsh chemicals.

Looking for an organic, sustainable method to remove or prevent pests? Then all you need to do is scoop out the wood ash from your fireplace and sprinkle it around. Here's how you can use your fireplace ashes to repel pests. For slugs, dust it around your plants since the dry spots deter them from coming around. Spread some of this ash on your pets to naturally replace fleas, ticks, and lice. Stop ants, mice, and cockroaches from taking over by placing a protective cinder circle around your plants or your home.

Cinders are the perfect crafting project to create soap. The oldest soaps were even made using wood ash and animal fats. The process starts with getting the lye, the main ingredient of soap, out of the wood ash. But once you get it, boil the lye with animal fat and then have salt mixed in for hardening. If you have a knack for this, this is a great opportunity to save money on hand washing materials as well as create your own business selling your ash soap creations.

Get rid of those unsightly oils stains or spills on your driveway by using ash from your fireplace. This is a great, affordable way to remove these dark spots, since oil absorbent can be costly while ash is just sitting in your fireplace for free. All you need to do is place the ash over the stain or liquid and rub with a towel. Sweep up the mess and repeat for harder to remove spots. You can also get a gentle brush for older stains that won't come out. 

Keep moisture at bay by using wood ash as a natural dehumidifier. In your bathroom or kitchen, place a bowl or cup of cinders in the room to let it absorb the humidity in the air. This is a great way to hinder mold and mildew as well if you place it in high-moisture areas like basements, utility closets, laundry rooms, or even cupboards. This same trick works well as a natural deodorizer to remove musty smells in spaces.

As you talk with other gardeners, you might hear that many of them use cinders from their fireplace to help the growth of their produce, but is wood ash really good for soil? These embers are indeed wonderful for your lawn and garden. Wood ash can improve the soil's pH levels, making your soil less acidic. While limestone does the same thing, wood ash easily dissolves away when it rains. Ash also helps with nutrients in crops like alfalfa, green onion, chives, and corn. But fair warning, don't use it on plants that need acidity, like blueberries.

While soap should always be your top pick for washing your hands, you can use wood ash as a replacement in a pinch to keep harmful bacteria away. The World Health Organization even recommends ash to keep your hands clean to avoid COVID-19 if you don't have access to soap, water, or alcohol-based sanitizers. You can also use this fine powder as a home first aid remedy to treat acne, cuts, and scrapes, because its properties can absorb bacteria to help stop infections.