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Don't Trash That Wood Ash!
It’s that time of year again here at 36-Acre Wood — and countless other homes where the mercury has dropped and winter coats have come out of storage: Time to clean the flue and put fireplaces, wood stoves, and other wood burners back to work.
But after the flames have gone out, what is there to do with all that fine, cold wood ash you’ve collected?
Today, we’ll unlock the potential of those powdery fireplace remnants. Our list will transcend the traditional and tap into the versatile wonders of wood ash, some of which we’ve tried, others we will, and some… well, we’ll see.
So join us as we discover a trove of practical and innovative applications for this wood-burning byproduct. From enriching garden soil to crafting homemade cleaning solutions, we're about to transform our perspective on post-fire cleanup — and maybe yours, too.
Note: We strongly recommend using ash only from untreated, chemical-free wood for any of these applications.
Ways to Use Wood Ash In and Around the House
From de-icing to cleaning to repelling pests and more, wood ash has many properties that make it a useful and cost-effective alternative to commercial products. Here are some suggestions:
1. De-ice walkways, driveways, and sidewalks
If you live in an area that gets cold and slippery, as we do, you can use some of that leftover ash to melt the ice. Simply sprinkle it on lightly, and you have a natural solution that can be swept off later. As with any type of ice melt, you’ll want to avoid tracking it into the house, but at least with wood ash, it’ll be a non-toxic mess.
2. Repel pests
It’s said that wood ash draws the water out of the bodies of bugs, which can’t be a good thing (for them). For this reason, though, it can be used to keep pests like slugs and snails at bay. Sprinkle wood ash around the perimeter of your home as a natural pest repellent.
3. Clean stove glass
If you have a wood-burning stove, you can — somewhat ironically — use wood ash to clean the glass. Just dip a damp cloth in the ash and use it to scrub the glass. Rinse with water and dry with a clean cloth (because a dirty one would defeat the purpose, right?).
4. Wash dishes and polish silverware
Wood ash can be used to polish silver and clean dishes. Mix it with a little water to make a paste, and scrub away.
5. Remove stains and odors
Wood ash can be used to remove funky smells and stains from your home. Simply sprinkle it on the affected area and let it sit for a few hours. Then vacuum it up or wipe it away with a damp cloth.
Like you’d use baking soda, you can put some wood ash in an open jar and place it in the fridge to absorb odor. Even better if there are still some little pieces of charcoal mixed in with it.
6. Clean the toilet
You can also use wood ash to clean the toilet bowl, other bathroom fixtures, and tile too. And if you’re on septic, as we are, wood ash won’t kill the natural flora like bleach-based antibacterial cleaning products can. In fact, wood ash actually promotes the breakdown of waste, which is why it reduces odor and is also useful for adding to camp toilets.
7. Get rid of fleas
If your kids — of the furry kind, that is — have fleas, you can use wood ash to get rid of them, just like you would use diatomaceous earth. Rub the ash into your pet’s fur and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, brush it out with a flea comb.
Speaking of pets and wood ash, we’re also told (though haven’t tested the claim) that ash can help remove skunk odor, too.
Ways to Use Wood Ashes in the Garden and Yard
Wood ash is a natural and cost-effective way to improve the health of your garden and soil. It contains significant amounts of potassium, calcium, and magnesium, which are essential nutrients for plant growth. In this section, we’ll look at how wood ash can be used to fertilize plants, amend soil, and add to compost, which is where most of our own leftover ash goes.
8. Correct acidic soil
Wood ash can be used to amend acidic soil. If the pH of your soil is too low, it can be difficult for plants to grow. Simply sprinkle some of that alkaline wood ash on the soil and mix it in.
Here’s some good information from the University of Vermont on using wood ash in the garden. They recommend no more than 20 pounds, or about a 5-gallon bucket’s worth, of ash per 1,000 square feet of garden.
9. Boost your lawn
Wood ash contains potassium, which is an important nutrient for grass, so it can be used to give your lawn (if you have one) a good pick-me-up. Just sprinkle wood ash on the grass and water it in.
10. Add it to your compost
Wood ash can be added to your compost pile to help it break down faster. It also helps to neutralize odors. That said, don’t overdo it. Adding too much ash to your compost pile or bin can raise the pH level and make the compost too alkaline, which can harm the beneficial microbes that break down organic matter. The rule of thumb we follow is to add a thin layer of wood ash for every six inches of other compost material.
11. Control garden pests
In addition to companion planting (Carrots Love Tomatoes is a great guide on the subject), wood ash can be used to help control garden pests. Sprinkle it around the perimeter of your garden and in a ring around the base of plants to keep pests like slugs and snails away.
12. Fertilize plants
Wood ash can be used as a fertilizer. It contains potassium, calcium, and magnesium, which are all important nutrients. As when using it for pest control, simply sprinkle wood ash around the base of your plants and water it in.
We’d avoid using it around plants that prefer acidic soil, though, like potatoes and blueberries. Here are some examples of plants that would be okay to use wood ash around but still use it sparingly:
Tomatoes
Peppers
Eggplants
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Cabbage
Brussels sprouts
Kale
Lettuce
Spinach
13. Prevent calcium deficiency in tomatoes
Like eggshells and bone meal add calcium, so too can wood ash. Put about ¼ cup of ash in each planting hole and mix it into the soil when setting out your tomato seedlings.
14. Help chickens and other poultry rid themselves of parasites
If you’ve got some egg-layers around the homestead, add some wood ash to their dust bath to help them keep unwanted fleas, avian lice, and other insects at bay. And since wood ash contains calcium and potassium, it’s fine if chickens and other poultry eat some of it, too.
Primitive and Traditional Ways To Use Wood Ash
Wood ash has been used for centuries in traditional, primitive, and survival situations for a variety of purposes. Its high alkalinity and ability to draw out moisture make it a versatile and valuable resource. These are just a handful of ways wood ash has been used in the past and still by some in the present:
15. Make soap
Wood ash contains lye, which is an important ingredient in soap making. Note that soap made from wood ash tends to be more like a thick liquid soap than bar soap. Here’s a good video on making basic wood ash lye soap.
Note that the type of wood ash you use can affect the quality of the lye and, therefore, the soap you make. Hardwood ash contains a higher concentration of potassium carbonate, which is the main component of lye-making, than ash from softwoods.
16. Tan hides
Wood ash can be used to tan animal hides. The lye is an important ingredient in the tanning process.
17. Make lye
Wood ash can be used to make lye, which is what you’ll do if using it to make soap or tan hides, among other uses. Mix the ash with water and strain out the liquid. As noted above, hardwoods contain more potassium than softwoods, so they’re better for making lye.
18. Make toothpaste
Haven’t tried this one ourselves, but “they say” wood ash can be used as a toothpaste. Strain it through a sieve, like a tea strainer. Mix it with a little bit of water to make a paste, and use it to brush your teeth. Here’s a guy who’s done it.
19. Use as an antacid
This is another one we haven’t tried (and would want to learn more about before we did), but since wood ash is alkaline, like baking soda, it can be mixed with water and ingested to help relieve heartburn.
20. Make a traditional cement
A wood ash cement can be made by mixing it with terra cotta. Here’s how:
Ways To Use Wood Ash for Cooking
Wood ash is a versatile and ancient ingredient that has been used in cooking for centuries. It’s often used in traditional corn-based dishes and a variety of other recipes, including these:
21. Make hominy
Wood ash can be used to make hominy, which is a traditional Native American dish made from dried corn kernels that have been soaked in lye made from wood ash. This helps to render the corn, making certain B vitamins bio-available, which can prevent nutritional deficiencies.
22. Use for cornbread and other recipes
Wood ash can be used in making cornbread, tortillas, and more. The ash is used for nixtamalization, which is the process of cooking corn in an alkaline substance, usually hardwood ash or lime, to remove the seed husk of the unpalatable kernel. Here’s a great article with corn nixtamalization recipes.
Ways To Use Wood Ash Topically
23. Clean Wounds
With its antiseptic properties, wood ash has a history of application in wound care, and research indicates that it accelerates the healing process.
24. Treat insect stings and bug bites
In some countries, wood ash is often made into a paste and applied to insect stings, bites, and other skin irritations to alleviate the itch and draw out toxins.
Ways To Use Wood Ash for Arts & Craft
25. Make pottery glazes
Ash from wood and other organic vegetation has been used to create pottery glazes for over two millennia. The incorporation of wood ash in glazes is deeply entrenched in the ceramic traditions of Asia and has been extensively documented in various publications focused on glaze techniques. Here’s a great article with more information, instructions, and examples of using wood ash in glazes.
26. Prepare fabric for dyeing
Wood ash can be used instead of sodium carbonate or washing soda as a pre-treatment to scour fabric, making it more receptive to the dye. Scouring is basically boiling the fabric in (in this case) wood ash water before dyeing it, which makes the color brighter and cleaner looking.
Don’t Let That Wood Ash Go To Waste
The versatile applications of wood ash extend well beyond the garden and compost pile. From home and garden to culinary delights, skincare, art, and many primitive uses, the potential of this byproduct is quite extensive. As we've explored its myriad uses, it's evident that "Don't Trash That Ash" isn't just a slogan but a call to unlock the full potential of this resource.
For any surplus ash that doesn't have a current practical application around your own home, you can store it in a designated metal container, like an old 55-gallon drum, for future use or let it integrate naturally into compost. Embrace the wisdom of repurposing, and let your wood ash continue to enrich your surroundings in sustainable ways.
Have you tried any of the above ways of using and repurposing wood ash? Or what about others that aren’t on our list? Please share your experience and suggestions in the comments below.
Using Wood Ash FAQs
Can wood ash be used to de-ice walkways and driveways? Yes, wood ash can be sprinkled on walkways, driveways, and sidewalks to melt ice. It is a natural, non-toxic solution that can be swept off later, similar to other ice-melting products.
Is wood ash effective for pest control in the garden? Yes, wood ash can be used to repel pests such as slugs and snails. Sprinkling it around the perimeter of your garden and at the base of plants can help keep these pests away.
How can wood ash be used to fertilize plants? Wood ash is rich in potassium, calcium, and magnesium, which are essential nutrients for plant growth. It can be sprinkled around the base of plants and watered in to act as a fertilizer. However, it should be used sparingly and avoided around plants that prefer acidic soil.
What are some traditional uses of wood ash in cooking? Wood ash can be used to make hominy, a traditional Native American dish, and in the nixtamalization process for making cornbread and tortillas. This process involves cooking corn in an alkaline substance, like hardwood ash, to remove the seed husk.
Can wood ash be used for cleaning purposes? Yes, wood ash can be used for various cleaning purposes. It can clean stove glass, polish silverware, and even clean dishes. Mixed with water to form a paste, wood ash can scrub away grime and stains.
How does wood ash affect soil pH levels? Wood ash is alkaline and can be used to raise the pH of acidic soil. This helps to balance the soil pH, making it more suitable for a variety of plants. However, it should be applied in moderation to avoid making the soil too alkaline.
Does wood ash have any antiseptic properties? Yes, wood ash has antiseptic properties. It has been used traditionally to clean wounds and treat insect stings and bug bites. When made into a paste and applied to the skin, wood ash can help alleviate itching and draw out toxins.
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