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After your burning season has ended, clearing out any leftover ash from your fireplace is a must. When it sits on your firebox floor, it can easily draw in moisture and cause your metal components to rust. Ash is also acidic, causing brick and mortar to corrode.

Safely remove your ashes with a metal scooper and metal bucket for storage. The bucket should be raised on the bottom and should come with a lid, so it can be tightly sealed while the pile cools. Embers can stay hot for days on end, so store the bucket on a non-flammable surface for two or three days to ensure you avoid any burns or fires.

Do You Have A Garden?close up of white coal and ash

One spot fireplace ash comes in handy is in the garden. Plants that crave calcium, like tomatoes, are known for thriving with the help of some ash mixed in with their dirt. It is also known to raise pH levels in gardens, which can do a lot when it comes to growing some successful plants.

That being said, some plants, like blueberries, azaleas, and potatoes don’t benefit from this addition, so be sure to do your research. It wouldn’t hurt to test your soil beforehand, too, to see if your pH levels actually need to be increased.

Finally, fireplace ash is known for detracting snails and slugs, both of which can damage your plants and veggies, so sprinkle some around the outskirts of your garden to keep the area better protected. When it comes to sustaining plant life, a little bit of fireplace ash can take you far.

Doing Some Spring Cleaning?

Ash can also be useful when it comes to cleaning. Use it on your fireplace glass doors to remove any built-up residue, make a paste to shine your silver with, or scrub some into your pet’s fur to remove pesky skunk smell. You can even use it in homemade soaps!

Have a pond that needs some maintenance? Fireplace ash can be used to promote the growth of certain plants, which in turn will slow the accumulation of algae. Finally, remove paint stains from your driveway by sprinkling ash on them while they are still wet. It will absorb into the ash, minimizing the risk of it turning into a permanent mark.

Anything Else?

From neutralizing bad odors to melting ice or snow to enriching your compost pile and more, fireplace ash can serve a wide range of purposes throughout your household. A simple Internet search yields countless results, so do some research today to see how you can benefit!

Need help with anything else fireplace-related? The team here at The Chimney Doctor is CSIA certified, and we pride ourselves on our exceptional customer service. Call today, and we can set something up!