What To Do With Ashes From Wood Stove? 8 Awesome Ideas To Try!

Are you wondering what to do with ashes from wood stove? First, you have to note this: Don’t throw your wood ash off your fireplace read the entire post to know what you can do with these things.

You can make good use of it in your home and in your garden. Back when we heated our homes with wood stoves, cleaning up ash from the grate was a daily task.

what to do with ashes from wood stove

Today, after you enjoy a cozy fire or using your wood stove, you can collect and use the wood ash. But what are you going to do with it? Don’t you worry, my friends? In this article, we have compiled different ways people use wood ashes, especially those you have from your stove. Read more to find out!

 

8 Different Ideas To Do With Ashes From Wood Stove

We may not consume as much firewood as before, but ash remains a precious raw resource with many advantages and applications across the country. Here are eight various methods on what to do with ashes from wood stove:

 

#1. Enhancing the soil

Because wood ash is water-soluble, the pH of your grass soil may be increased rapidly. First, test the pH of your garden or lawn soil. Most lawn and garden soils have optimal pH levels between 6.0 and 7.0. If it has a pH of above seven, then it is alkaline. Acidity is defined as fewer than 6 pH values.

You cannot alter the pH of your soil if it is between 6 and 7. So, for example, tomato plants require a lot of calcium and potassium, and land modification that provides this mineral large dosages – something that you can achieve by switching to wood ash, which contains these two: minerals and water solubility.

If your yard has too much acidic soil, the roots of plants would be awful when calcium and potassium are taken from your ground (which is deficient in these minerals). Anyway, it may be useful to read how you bring pH down in hydroponics.

Smaller quantities of other nutrients, such as aluminum, magnesium, phosphorus, and salt, occur in wood ash. It may be utilized if necessary to provide these nutrients. You can use this to restore some plants, such as alfalfa, hay, and maize. It is helpful for depleted soil nutrients and supplements or crop rotations.

Before adding wood ash to your garden, make sure you know what plants and soils require. For example, plants that do not flourish prefer acidic soils, such as blueberries, azaleas, and rhododendrons. Also, it is never a good idea to increase the amount of wood ash at once.

 

#2. In addition to your compost pile

An external compost battery or an interior compost container may be part of your domestic trash. With each compost layer, a few nutrients are added to the final soil or “compost tea.” You may also prepare your own wood ash tea by mixing ash in water for 4-5 days and then apply it to the soil if necessary. In a 30-gallon sequence of water, three pounds of wood ash, steeped and filtered (like a large wood-ash teapot), may be of assistance to a particular plant throughout the growing season.

 

#3. Use as a cleaner

Look no further if you are searching for a free glass and metal cleaner. Wood ash combined with water may be used to clean filthy glass, buffer tarnish metals, and even remove sticky residues and adhesives. Use a cotton towel and wear gloves to protect your skin. To start with, test the impact on a tiny area.

 

#4. Making a soap

The earliest soaps were produced in the household by mixing lye, a major component of soap, with water and wood ash. For this purpose, hardwood ash is utilized since it contains sufficient lye potassium. Anyway, you may read about the truth about lye and organic soap.

Even if you do not need to purchase a bottle or a bar for some extra work, proper manufacturing may produce homemade soap. If you choose your own method, be careful to follow instructions from a reliable source and wear protective equipment to prevent burning.

 

#5. Preventing hazardous pests

Pests such as slugs and snails may be avoided by wood ash and even repelled. Sprinkle some to the plants or ring around them and apply again once the rain has rinsed off the ash.

 

#6. Slick pathway traction

For traction underfoot, wood ash may be used much as gravel is used on slippery roads. You may also store some in your vehicle or truck in a lockable metal container if you have to escape in case of a hazardous situation.

 

#7. Cleaning up driveway spills

Changing your car’s oil? Or anything that could decolorize when spilled? To absorb the spill, use wood ash. The black asphalt of the driveway hides the color of the ash, but the absorbing characteristics of the ash should enable you to detect its spill later.

 

#8. Putting out fire

Ash may create an enormous, airtight barrier to fire. Wood ash may assist put a fire out if you have no access to a fire extinguisher, dirt, or sand. Always extinguish a fire and make sure that there are no molding burrs left because they may reignite. A final hot spot check guarantees the fire doesn’t arise again. Anyway, it may be a good idea to know what is a fire blanket.

 

It’s A Wrap!

After you have figured out some ideas on what to do with ashes from wood stove, you will be able to make good use of them every time you take them out of your fireplace.

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