DIY: Wood Ash Uses
Benefits and Uses of Wood Ash
Wood ash is rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, silica, and minerals. It's also an alkaline residue. These properties make it a valuable waste product for various household uses. For example, you can make homemade laundry detergent with wood ash. Access the recipe by clicking on the button below.
In the garden, wood ash serves as a natural fertiliser. Due to its gentle release of potassium, it promotes flower and fruit production. Sprinkle it around the base of your fruit trees and flowers in spring (March or April), then in winter on your lawn to strengthen it, or directly in your vegetable garden to improve the soil.
Use a handful per square metre every three weeks or so. It can replace lime to correct soil acidity and serve as an alternative to lime milk in the orchard. Wood ash can also speed up the composting process. Sprinkle a small amount into your outdoor compost for better results.
In dry conditions, wood ash keeps gastropods, such as slugs and snails, at bay. It acts as a natural repellent. Use it sparingly to create natural barriers around your plants, but be cautious not to overuse it, as it can burn them. Wood ash also has suffocating properties for insects.
In winter, it can be used to melt ice and snow on paths and sidewalks. It may be messier than salt, but it's more beneficial for the soil and more eco-friendly. Salt ends up in streams and rivers, making sweet water extremely salty and toxic for river fish.
Indoors, make sure to use ash from hardwoods, not softwoods (for example pine, larch or cedar). Filter it through a fine sieve or cheesecloth to remove charcoal residue and any metal staples if you’ve used crates.
Laundry Detergent
Ash laundry detergent is an eco-friendly option. It is very effective, thanks to its potassium content. For tough stains, you can complement it with Marseille soap. To prevent it from tarnishing white laundry, add a tablespoon of bicarbonate to the washing machine. You can also infuse the detergent with natural scents like fresh lavender, lemon zest, or sage before filtering it. You can also add essential oils to the finished product.
This product is also an excellent dishwasher detergent. Unlike some zero-waste powders, ash detergent won't cloud your glassware. Fill a small sachet with this detergent and place it in the top rack of your dishwasher. Add white vinegar to the rinse aid compartment for the perfect shine.
By mixing sifted white ash with filtered water, you can create an effective scrubbing paste. Store it in a sealed glass jar. This paste works well for cleaning stainless steel sinks, silverware, copper, and even glass surfaces, including those in ovens and wood-burning stoves.
Similar to coffee grounds, wood ash can absorb odours in your home. Place a small bowl in the fridge or sprinkle it in your pet's litter box.
Even in cosmetics and personal hygiene, this natural product can work wonders. Like baking soda, wood ash can be used for aesthetic purposes. Applied on a toothbrush, it can whiten yellowed teeth. This is a much cheaper alternative to activated charcoal (unless bought from trusted sources, it can be as toxic as the next chemical on the shelf).
What to do with charcoal pieces? When filtering ash, set aside the charcoal pieces. You can use them as effective moisture absorbers in your cabinets. Simply place them in an airtight plastic container and puncture the lid with a few holes.
If you have a fireplace, you can further embrace a zero-waste lifestyle by saving and using wood ash for various natural applications and DIY preparations.
Here are a few more common household products you can make or enhance using wood ash:
Soil pH: Wood ash can be used to amend soil in your garden or vegetable patch. It can help adjust soil pH and improve its structure. Remember to use it sparingly. It is worth noting that some plants, like blueberries, favour a more acidic soil.
Soap Making: Wood ash can be used in the traditional process of making lye from wood ash, which is then used in soap making. This is a historical method that has been used for centuries to create soap.
Homemade Deodorant: Some DIY deodorant recipes include wood ash as an ingredient. The alkaline nature of wood ash can help neutralise odours.
Natural Pesticide: In certain applications, wood ash can act as a natural pesticide to deter garden pests or insects. For example, it can create barriers around plants vulnerable to crawling insects.
Hand Cleaner: A mixture of wood ash and water can be used as a natural hand cleaner to remove stubborn dirt, grease, or odours from your hands.
Note: use wood ash carefully and be aware of its alkaline properties, especially when using it in personal care products or for cleaning. Always follow safety guidelines and recommended quantities for specific applications to avoid adverse effects.
