After snuffing out the embers in your fireplace, you safely store the ashes outside in a metal container. But then what? Instead of sending them to the local landfill, put them to good use around the house. First, make sure the ashes are completely cool and then employ them in one of the following ways:
TO DE-ICE
Sprinkle ash on the ice covering your balcony, stairs and driveway. In moderate conditions, it works as well as rock salt for melting snow and providing traction. It’s a more affordable and eco-friendly option.
TO CLEAN UP
Ash works well to polish silver and copper and to clean windows. All you need to do is dip a clean, damp cloth in some ash and scrub. Make sure there’s no trace of dirt or sand to avoid streaking your glass.
TO GARDEN
Just like lime, wood ash works well to neutralize the acidity of soil. Use it only once a year and sparingly — no more than one third of a cup per square metre on your flowerbed, vegetable patch or lawn.
Pro tip: measure the pH of the soil before adding ash. If it’s higher than seven, it doesn’t need to be neutralized.
