10 Practical Uses for Wood Ash

There’s nothing like sitting in front of a crackling wood fire, enjoying the radiating warmth. Until it’s time to clean out the ashes, that is.

Wood ash is messy and often rejected by municipal composting programs. Fortunately, there are many things you can do with this overlooked household gem. In this article, we’ll outline 10 practical uses for wood ash to keep this heating byproduct out of the landfill.

Buff Your Headlights

Sometimes a storebought cleaner and elbow grease isn’t enough to get your headlights shining brightly. Fortunately, you can make an effective polish with some leftover wood ash and a bit of water.

First, check the ashes and remove any leftover coals or wood chunks. Then, mix with water to create a paste. Apply the paste to your headlights, rub with a microfiber cloth, and rinse. This blend also works on silver furniture and cutlery!

Balance Acidic Soil

While some plants enjoy acidic soil, many prefer a more neutral or alkaline garden patch. If you test your soil and find it lower on the pH scale, you can mix in some wood ash to increase the alkalinity.

Wood ash is high in calcium and potassium while containing trace amounts of phosphorous, magnesium, zinc, and copper. Adding some to your soil is an effective way to minimize waste while nourishing your garden.

De-Ice Slippery Walkways

Wood ash is an environmentally friendly alternative to manufactured ice melt products. While the ash won’t prevent re-freezing the way road salt does, it provides traction to prevent slipping.

Sprinkle some wood ash on your walkway and around your tires to provide some extra grip on slippery days.

Get Crafty

Get creative and incorporate wood ash into your arts and crafts. Add it to paint for a texturized mixed media piece of art, or try traditional pottery with a wood ash glaze.

Clean Up Spills

Don’t fret about those tough spills. Sprinkle on some wood ash and let it soak up the excess moisture, then vacuum or sweep it away. As a bonus, the ash helps eliminate odors, too! This is a must-have in households with pets.

Help Nourish Chickens

There are several ways to use wood ash in the chicken coop. Adding a small portion of wood ash to your chicken’s feed can help prevent parasitic infections and minimize the odor of their droppings.

You can also create a dust bath for your chickens, which helps prevent parasites and protects their plumage. If you don’t have chickens, consider reaching out to local farms to see if they’ll accept ash donations.

Absorb Excess Moisture in Basements and Garages

In addition to cleaning up spills, you can use wood ash as a natural desiccant to help keep moist basements and garages dry.

Place a bucket of ashes in the corner of a damp basement and let them do their magic. Leaving a few chunks of coal will increase the effectiveness.

Preserve Your Vegetable Harvest

While it may seem counterintuitive to store your produce in ashes, this approach to preserving food has shown promising results. Store your fresh produce in wood ash, either directly or in a dry container surrounded by wood ash in a cool, dark area.

For best results, avoid washing before you store your produce and wash thoroughly before consumption.

Create a Sealant

Recent studies have shown wood ash as a viable, eco-conscious alternative to cement. Many DIYers are using wood ash to create their own wood ash cement concoctions, using different natural additives to assess the results.

Consider using a blend of wood ash and water to create a paste to seal cracks or repair broken planters. Experiment with different formulations until you find one that works for you. Note: when dealing with cracks in your foundation, always consult a professional.

Try Traditional Tanning

Using wood ash in the leather tanning process dates back hundreds of years. Hunters looking for ways to use every part of the animal can try this traditional art form to get more from their successful hunts.

Ash has a high lye content. Traditional tanners would soak the hides in water and ash for a day or two to help the preservation process by separating hair and tissue from the hides. This practice has made a resurgence in popularity since 2020, as people started revisiting traditional practices during lockdown.

Practical Uses for Wood Ash: A Summary

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