Since Winter season has begun many people have been enjoying the chilly season by warming up next to their fireplaces.But with the constant use of their fireplaces, ashes begin to build up. Most people would just throw out their fireplace ashes however I recommend that you don’t do that right away! Believe it or not ashes (specifically wood ashes) actually have many uses that can benefit your home and garden.
Use of Ashes Around the Home
- Did you or your pet get skunked? Rub the affected area with ash onto you or your pet, leave it on for a few minutes.
Then rinse off the ash, dry and repeat the process if necessary.
- Besides getting rid of funky skunk smells, fireplace ashes can help neutralize any musky, weird smelling odors
(much like baking soda).
- You can use it to melt the ice off of driveways and pathways.
- Make fireplace ash into a paste to shine/polish silver and make it look new!
Use of Ashes Around the Garden
- Raise your soil’s pH levels. Using the ashes helps to neutralize the soil (especially if the soil is overly acidic or if you
have any alkaline loving plants).
- Use the fireplace ashes as a good nutrient addition to your compost (just be sparse with it as you do not want to
make your compost too alkaliney).
** Before using fireplace ashes remember to remove them from the fireplace no less than 24 hours after a fire has stopped burning. Be sure store them in a closed metal container until you’re ready to put them to use! **
** Remember the above suggestions are only for wood ashes. Other ashes such as coal ash and charcoal brisquettes contain toxins and heavy metals that can harm plants and shouldn’t be placed in your garden or even used as a replacement/substitute for wood fireplace ashes. **
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