7 Surprising Uses for Fireplace Ashes, According to Experts

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There's nothing cozier in winter than a wood fire burning in your hearth. But what do you do with all of that ash once the fire has died down? It turns out there are a number of creative and eco-friendly uses for your fireplace ashes—from cleaning glass to nourishing plants—that don't involve throwing them in the trash. To learn the best use for fireplace ashes, we consulted an HVAC expert and a fire safety expert. Here's how they recommend reusing ashes from your fireplace around your home.

Sunaree Ko, fire safety expert at Fire Marshal Training
Tamer Sayed, lead HVAC and furnace expert at Tamas Mechanical

Cleaning Fireplace Glass

The ash left in your fireplace is ideal for cleaning the soot it leaves behind on the glass doors. "For cleaning fireplace glass, wet a cloth and dip it into the dry ash, scrub the glass in a circular motion to lift the soot with ash; wipe it down with a clean, damp cloth afterward," says Sunaree Ko, fire safety expert at Fire Marshal Training.

Fertilizing Your Plants

Ashes are rich with nutrients that can benefit garden soil and potted plants. "[Wood ash] is a kind of natural fertilizer in the garden, providing potassium and raising the pH of acidic soils when sprinkled lightly both in little and large areas," says Ko.

Place a thin layer of cooled, sifted ash over the soil or around the plants. Just be careful not to use too much, says HVAC and furnace expert Tamer Sayed, "If you’re adding it to compost, balance it out with other biodegradable materials." Also, be sure to only burn untreated wood in your fireplace if you're using the ashes in the garden to avoid introducing synthetic chemicals.

Wait 48 hours until your ashes are sufficiently cooled to use them to avoid burn and fire risks.

As an Air Freshener

Ashes from your fireplace work similarly to baking soda when it comes to absorbing unpleasant odors. To keep your house smelling fresh, try putting a small pot full of ash in the musty areas of your home, says Ko.

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Surface Cleaner

Ash is an excellent cleaner for select surfaces in your home. When combined with water, wood ash acts as a mildly abrasive cleaner for metal or ceramic surfaces. Simply gather the wood ash, remove any large charcoal pieces, and gradually add water until it turns into a paste, says Sayed. Rub the paste onto the surface of the item you're cleaning, then rinse with water.

Extinguish Campfires

While it may seem counterintuitive, wood ash is an excellent and safe way of extinguishing campfires, as it cuts off the oxygen supply and smothers the embers. "For putting out fires, sprinkle ash generously directly on the embers or coals to suffocate the fire," says Ko.

Improve Traction on Your Icy Driveway

When winter rains, sleet, and snow freeze over, and you have a driveway or walkways covered in slippery ice, try sprinkling the ashes from your fireplace over the area. Ko says it will improve traction on the ice so you can walk and drive across it more safely.

Clean Your Grill

Because ash has slightly abrasive properties, it is an ideal natural alternative for cleaning outdoor metal tools or grill grates. "For outdoor metal cleaning, make a paste with ash and water and gently scrub tools or grill gates before rinsing them," Ko says.