Uses For Wood Ash 

Do you consider the wood ashes in your fireplace a headache? Are you unsure of the best way to dispose of them? The good news is you don’t have to throw them out. There are a number of uses for wood ashes that can benefit your home and yard. Let’s investigate further.

Using Wood Ashes in Your Yard

Wood ashes can help your yard to thrive. They are a natural fertilizer replete with potassium and lime, which can enhance soil fertility and counteract acidic soils, preparing the soil for various plants. The potassium in wood ash stimulates plant growth and generates better fruit, making it especially valuable to flowering and fruit-bearing plants. Wood ash also has trace elements helpful to plants, such as magnesium, calcium, and trace amounts of zinc and iron. Including wood ashes in your yard care routine can promote your garden’s general health by recycling it.

Wood Ash Kill Unwanted Smells

Wood ashes have natural odor-killing effects, which makes them a valuable and green solution for eradicating rancid smells in varied environments. The capacity to absorb and counteract odors is due to its alkaline chemical makeup, which can neutralize acidic odors that often cause foul smells. They are particularly useful when placed into compost bins and outdoor areas, where they can facilitate the pH balance, decrease smells from organic decomposition, and encourage a more efficient composting procedure.

Wood ashes can also fight household odors. If you place a container in your refrigerator, it can help absorb unwelcome odors and preserve a fresher atmosphere, much like baking soda does. Another such technique is to sprinkle wood ashes into damper areas, like basements and attics, to help absorb surplus moisture and eliminate musty smells.

Wood Ashes Can Shine Up Any Ring

Has your great-grandmother’s wedding ring lost its sparkle? Does that old pearl necklace not reflect the light anymore? It may not be your first thought for cleaning jewelry, but wood ashes are perfect for cleaning them. It’s true; wood ashes have been used to clean jewelry since jewelry first appeared. Due to its mild abrasive and chemical properties make it safe for jewelry. Its fine, granular consistency makes it excellent for gently washing away tarnish and caked-on substances on metal surfaces without scratching them. Wood ashes are especially useful on silver and gold jewelry, where their alkaline nature can help to remove grime and oxidation, restoring the metal’s innate shine. Combine the ashes with water to produce a cleaning paste. The paste can then be spread with a soft cloth, gently patted onto the surface of the jewelry, and rinsed off with water. You will find it has a cleaner, glossier surface.

The chemical composition of wood ash is also packed with potassium carbonate, a natural cleansing agent that will aid the cleaning process. It is effective for buffing metal parts of jewelry and eliminating gunk and other organic matter that could be compiled on jewelry worn close to the skin. Remember, be especially careful when using wood ash on gemstones or other sensitive pieces; its abrasive qualities could damage more delicate materials or complex designs. You should test the wood ash on a small, inconspicuous area before spreading it to the rest of the jewelry or consult a jeweler before cleaning antique or valuable pieces. 

To Sum Up

While it’s good to clean ashes out of your fireplace, you should have a competent and certified chimney sweep service clean and inspect your fireplace and chimney regularly. That way, you will have a constant supply of wood ashes to use around your home.

Let Burlington Fireplace Inspect and Clean Your Fireplace and Chimney

Contact us if you want to ensure that your fireplace and chimney are in good working order and can provide wood ashes for years to come. We will schedule a crew of our professional, experienced chimney sweeps to service your chimney. Don’t wait until there is an issue; get in touch today.