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Wood Ashes: 14 Secret Uses That No One Knows About
If you have a fireplace, wood stove, or enjoy the occasional backyard bonfire, you probably end up with plenty of wood ashes. While most people simply toss them out, what if we told you that wood ash is actually a powerful multi-purpose tool around the home, garden, and even in survival situations?
Here are 14 secret uses for wood ashes that most people don’t know—natural, eco-friendly, and surprisingly effective!
1. Natural Fertilizer for Your Garden
Wood ash is rich in potassium, calcium, and magnesium—all essential nutrients for plant growth. Sprinkle a small amount around the base of plants (especially tomatoes, garlic, and fruit trees) to boost soil health. Just avoid using it near acid-loving plants like blueberries or azaleas.
2. Pest Control in the Garden
Sprinkling wood ash around plants can help deter soft-bodied pests like slugs and snails. The ash dries out their bodies and forms a barrier they won’t cross.
3. Ice Melter for Winter Driveways
Just like salt, wood ash can help melt ice and provide traction on slippery walkways. It’s especially handy if you run out of salt in the middle of a snowstorm.
4. Natural Odor Absorber
Wood ash works similarly to baking soda by neutralizing odors. Place a small container of ash in musty areas like basements, garages, or pet spaces to freshen the air.
5. Clean Cloudy Glass
Mix wood ash with a bit of water to form a paste. Use this gentle, gritty mixture to clean soot off fireplace doors, glassware, or metal surfaces—just like an old-fashioned polish!
6. Make Lye for Soap
In pioneer days, wood ashes were soaked in water to make lye, a key ingredient in homemade soap. While it requires caution and some know-how, this is a powerful survival skill to learn.
7. Compost Booster
Wood ash can help balance acidic compost piles by raising the pH and speeding up decomposition. Just don’t overdo it—a little goes a long way.
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