Uses of Ashe

08/19/22 01:57 AM Comment(s) By Marc Prosch


Uses of Ashe

Warm winter nights are made more cozy with the warmth of a wood-burning fireplace. In the aftermath of those cozy fires, what do we do with all the ashes? The recycling of wood ash can be done in a number of ways. Make sure you clean your ashes before tossing them. Here, we will discuss how to use ash to your advantage, as well as how you can utilize it in your daily life. In the past, wood ash was an important resource for preserving food, gardening, pottery, pest control, and even cosmetic use.

Best Uses of Ash

Use as a Ice Melt

A container of fireplace ashes is a good idea to keep in your trunk during the winter. An ice patch can be improved by the salts found in ashes, while moderately cold temperatures can be reduced by their potassium content. 

Garden Fertilizer

Plant health is dependent on trace minerals found inside the wood of trees. Wood ash contains all those trace minerals. Carbon and nitrogen are available in compost, though it doesn't contain either. Approximately five gallons of wood ash should be added per 1,000 square feet of garden, according to the University of Vermont.  Acid-loving crops like blueberries and potatoes cannot grow well in wood ash because it raises the pH of soil.

Boost Compost

Compost piles can benefit from a little wood ash. If a compost pile is located in a rural area, birds may attract bears if they are present around it.  Besides protecting scraps from bears and other large omnivores, wood ash also prevents them from decomposing.


We noticed an immediate improvement in the health of our compost after we started adding wood ash to it. Grab a handful of hard-working worms and you'll find a pile of nutrient-rich compost.

Prevent Calcium Deficiency in Tomatoes

It is often calcium deficiency that causes the ugly black spots on tomatoes.  The use of wood ash as a calcium supplement for tomato planting holes can be just as effective as adding eggshells and bone meal. Approximately 1/4 cup of wood ash should be mixed with soil before transplanting tomatoes.

Protecting Bee Hives from Ants

Most bee hives are in a slightly weak state because of the challenges they face today. Bees are capable of defending their own hives, but they are facing many challenges right now.  Any help they can get will be greatly appreciated!  An ant-deterring tip I received from a reader was to use ash to make a circle around a beehive. 


Wood ash attracts ants, so I assume it would keep ants from invading hives to steal honey by preventing them from moving a hive. If ants are getting to your bees, it might be worth a try even if it has unintended consequences.

Clean Gass Stove

The stove glass can be cleaned effectively by mixing water with wood ash.  By removing soot from the glass with mildly abrasive wood ash, you will be able to enjoy your fire all winter long.

For Stain Removal

Watermarks and stains on furniture can be removed with white ash paste mixed with water. Use a soft cloth to wipe off the surface after buffing gently. Ash can be used in the laundry cycle to clean cotton, bamboo, hemp and other fabrics and remove chemicals.


Tip: Rub freshly stained areas with soft bread (the center bit) after coating with dry white ash, then wait 5 minutes. There's no wonder this works since bread absorbs moisture and oil naturally!

Smell Absorber

A similar effect can be achieved with wood ash when it comes to absorption of odors around the house.  For odor absorption in the refrigerator, place a small jar inside. Charcoal helps out even more if it remains in the ashes as small pieces.

Natural Flea Treatment for Pets

Pets can naturally kill fleas with diatomaceous earth if they are exposed to it. The same applies to wood ash. Upon contact with the ash, tiny particles cause microcuts that cause the fleas to dry out and die.


Our cat has responded well to it, but it needs to be washed out after about 24 hours.  Whenever your feline friend is covered in wood ash, it naturally isn't thrilled about cleaning itself, so do the treatment and then bathe him.

Clean Up Soot

Soot can also be removed from fireplace doors using a wood-ash paste, just as it can remove tarnish. A paste made from ashes and water can be used as a mild abrasive.

Cheese Making

There are cheeses with wood ash incorporated in the layers, and others with wood ash coatings. Just as wood ash reduces soil acidity, it also decreases the acidity in cheese.

Control Pond Algae

Aquatic plants can benefit from wood ash because it contains micronutrients essential for their growth. A pond will be able to compete with algae better if it contains wood ash, which contains potassium. Thus, algae growth in ponds is slowed. Make sure not to overdo it. 


To add about 1 tablespoon per 1,000 gallons of water, perform some rough math on the volume of your pond.

Dust Bath for Poultry

Due to the fact that wood ash treats insects and fleas, it is perfect for controlling parasites in poultry.  A bit of wood ash added to the dust bath merely serves to reinforce the message that chickens and turkeys need to dust bathe to keep their feathers free of unwanted intruders.


When we gave our turkeys wood ash, they were infested with avian lice. Rolling in the ash was an exciting experience for them, and they spent several hours rolling in it with excitement. If you give the birds the right tools, they'll take care of their problems naturally without the need for pesticides. The ash they eat is also a mineral supplement for birds, so there is no need to worry about them eating a bit.

Control Humidity

A humid basement or poorly ventilated bathroom can benefit from wood ash as a desiccant. An ash tray placed in a corner can reduce humidity in a room.

Make Natural Bleach

Lye water is the result of mixing wood ash with water. It's widely used in soap, but it's also a useful bleaching agent on its own. If you add a cupful to your wash, you should be able to achieve the results you desire.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do ashes make good fertilizer?

Potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium can also be found in ash. Typically, wood ash would have a N-P-K ratio of 0-1-3 in commercial fertilizer. Furthermore, wood ash contains micronutrients that plants need in trace amounts in addition to these macronutrients.




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