There are plenty of fun things to do in Ash. Whether you’re a foodie, a family-friendly fanatic, or just want to relax in nature, AVL has something for everyone.
Brush up on your history with a tour of a historic building or enjoy the views from Summit Park. Then, eat and drink at delicious restaurants and breweries in Blue Ash.
Recycled Fireplace Ashes for Compost
The best way to recycle fireplace ashes is to add them to the compost. Ashes are a valuable source of nutrients that will replenish the soil in your garden. They are high in potassium, which encourages flowering and fruiting. They also contain phosphorous, iron, manganese and zinc.
Make sure that your ashes are completely cool before adding them to the compost. It’s also a good idea to keep ash away from a compost pile that contains meat or chemical firelighters, as these can contaminate the soil and harm composting microbes.
When putting wood ash into the compost, make sure to stir it and water it thoroughly to saturate all of the particles. This will prevent the ashes from creating a dense and unpleasant mass in your garden. Ashes can also be added to the top layer of a compost pile to help it maintain proper aeration. You can also use wood ashes mixed with water as a mild abrasive to buff tarnished metals and clean filthy glass.
Recycled Fireplace Ashes for Car Tires
Wood ashes are high in potassium, which makes them an excellent substitute for salt on snowy driveways and sidewalks. They also provide traction for cars, improving the grip of tires on ice and snow. Ashes can also be used in garden beds to aerate the soil and prevent it from becoming too compacted. They are a natural alkaline and will raise the pH levels of the soil, making it more suitable for lavender, honeysuckle, and other plants that prefer a less acidic environment.
For the more dedicated rustic up-cycler, wood ashes can be mixed with rainwater and a natural fat like lard to make homemade soap. This is a classic technique that was used in the pioneer days when commercially produced lye could not be obtained easily.
Recycled Fireplace Ashes for Pet Odor Removal
Wood burning fireplaces are an efficient way to heat your home. However, they leave behind a large pile of ash that many people incorrectly believe is useless. Instead of tossing this ash in the trash, keep it on hand to use around your home and garden.
Pour water over the ashes to saturate them, then store the bucket outside away from combustible materials. Wait until the ash is cool enough to handle, then use a non-combustible broom from a fire tool kit and a dustpan to scoop the ashes into a metal bucket.
Ashes contain the mineral potassium, which is used to make lye, a key ingredient in homemade soap. Ashes can also be rubbed into your dog’s fur after a run-in with a skunk to absorb the smell. Sprinkle a thin layer of ashes around your garden to keep pests like slugs and snails out, or place them in the garage to soak up spilled oil.
Recycled Fireplace Ashes for Glass Door Cleaning
Using just a little bit of powdery wood ash to scrub away carbon stains from fireplace glass doors is an easy, earth-friendly DIY cleaner. Just mix a little wood ash with water to create a paste, and use a soft sponge to wipe the grime away.
For those who have wood-burning fireplaces, you should be able to collect some of the ashes after each fire and store them in a metal bucket until garbage day. Just make sure the ashes are completely cool before trying to remove them from your home, and be careful not to leave them near any flammable materials.
Ashes can be boiled to create lye, which is used in the process of making soap. The lye water also helps to whiten laundry, and can be mixed into the soil around calcium-loving plants. It can also be sprinkled in the garden to deter pests like slugs and snails. Just be sure to wear a mask while working with wood ashes, and rinse your hands and tools thoroughly after handling them.
