Fireplace ash for cleaning the house and garden

Wood ash is certainly one of the most useful and eco-friendly natural ingredients for cleaning the house, and also for other uses involving outdoor spaces (gardens, terraces, and balconies). The important thing is that it is always wood ash, without traces of paint, and not coal or pellet, and that it is very cold and sieved, without any large pieces remaining inside.

Natural detergents

Degreaser, lye, and soap: there are at least three natural cleaners that can be easily made from wood ash.

• Degreaser. Fireplace ash can become an excellent degreaserGet a large container and fill it with water. Add the olive oil and ash and stir vigorously. The result will be a powerful degreaser, capable of cleaning all surfaces in your home, including stainless steel.
• Lye. With the ash you create the lye that our grandmothers and great-grandmothers used to clean pots and pans. Take some ash and sift it, place it in a bowl, and add water. Stir until the mixture thickens. The resulting mixture is called lye, which is not only excellent for polishing pots and opaque glass, but also removes stubborn dirt from clothing, especially white laundry, which tends to yellow over time.
• Soap. With the fireplace ash you can make the following at home: soapFirst, prepare the lye and place 100 ml of it in a saucepan with 200 ml of water. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally to ensure the mixture is consistently thick. Once the mixture is thick enough, turn off the heat and let it cool. Once completely cooled, blend it with an immersion blender and then pour it into the appropriate molds; you can also add essential oils of your favorite fragrance. Let the soap rest for at least 3 days, then remove it from the molds and let it rest for another three days before using it. Always store it in a cool, dry place.

To clean pots

Wood ash is perfect for cleaning pots and grills, especially when they have rather stubborn dirt stains.

This is the procedure:

• Dampen a sponge or cloth
• Dip them in the ashes
• Scrub pots, grills, fireplace glass

Wood ash, in particular, is effective for steel and iron pans, but is not suitable for more delicate surfaces.

To clean glass and mirrors

Fine ash is slightly abrasive, but you can still use it, in small doses, for a good cleaning of glass and mirrors.

This is the procedure:

• Place a small amount of ash in a damp sponge
• Rub on glass or mirror
• Rinse and dry well

At the end you will have streak-free windows and mirrors.

For toilet drains

Even in the bathroom, ash is useful for household cleaning.

Use it like this:

• Pour a spoonful of ash into the toilet
• Leave it to act for a few hours
• Brush and flush the drain

The ash will help to remove limescale and bad smells.

To polish silverware

Mix the ash with a little warm water or a few drops of lemon juice. The resulting cream cleans very well. the silverware: just rub it gently, with a soft cloth, on your silver objects and they will shine again.

A natural fertilizer

Wood ash is also valuable for outdoor spaces, where we grow plants, flowers, and vegetables. It is, in fact, a natural fertilizer with which you can improve the soil because it is rich in magnesium, potassium and calcium.

Distribute it based on the size of your plot and the number of plants you need to feed. Typically, 50 grams of ash per square of soil is sufficient, and should be spread evenly. Ash is excellent for helping roses resist the cold and nourishes daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths. Don't overdo it, and never use it on azaleas, blueberries, or other acid-loving plants.

To keep snails away

Use ash to keep snails away from your garden. Sift it and sprinkle a generous amount around the base of your plants, assuming the soil is dry. Water your plants with a drip irrigation system, and if it rains, don't use the ash, as it obviously loses all its effectiveness and you'll have to redo the job.

Antifreeze

Use the ash as antifreeze. In case of ice or even INFOSimply sprinkle it on the affected roads. Ash helps melt ice: if necessary, make a mixture of ash and salt and store it in a container for emergency use.

Read also:

• How to heat your home with a fireplace
• Where to store firewood at home
• Biofireplaces: How They Work and How Much They Consume