Stuie Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 So the past few weeks, North Texas has been hit and hit again with snow and ice. Something I am SOOO not use to. So unbeknown to me my mom, makes a suggestion of using ash from the fireplace on the driveway to melt the ice and give me some more traction because I got a steep drive way. I don't have a fireplace. But I do use a lot of coals. So I am going to grab a 5 gallon bucket at Home Depot and start saving my ash from my coals. Then I was like what else can you do with ash. I quick search I found these things you can do: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,1581470,00.html Mostly Wood ash, but I am guessing Coconut ash does the same. 1. De-skunk pets. A handful rubbed on Fido's coat neutralizes the lingering odor. 2. Hide stains on paving. This Old House technical editor Mark Powers absorbs wet paint spatters on cement by sprinkling ash directly on the spot; it blends in with a scuff of his boot, 3. Enrich compost. Before the organic compound get applied to soil, enhance its nutrients by sprinkling in a few ashes, says the host of radio's You Bet Your Garden, Mike McGrath. Adding too much, though, ruins the mix. 4. Block garden pests. Spread evenly around garden beds, ash repels slugs and snails. 5. Melt ice. TOH building editor Tom Baker finds it adds traction and de-ices without hurting soil or concrete underneath. 6. Control pond algae. One tablespoon per 1,000 gallons adds enough potassiumm to strengthen other aquatic plants that compete with algae, slowing its growth, 7. Pump up tomatoes. For the calcium-loving plants, McGrath places 1/4 cup right in the hole when planting, 8. Clean glass fireplace doors. A damp sponge dipped in the dust scrubs away sooty residue. 9. Make soap. Soaking ashes in water makes lye, which can be mixed with animal fat and then boiled to produce soap. Salt makes it harden as it cools. 10. Shine silver. A paste of ash and water makes a dandy nontoxic metal polisher. Do you save your ash for other uses? Any other Ideas what to use it for? Sorry for going a little Eco Hippy on you guys, but it's a cool thought. Hey don't let things go to waste. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skoozle Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 If only it did something good for carpet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuie Posted February 14, 2011 Author Share Posted February 14, 2011 [quote name='Skoozle' timestamp='1297701275' post='497866'] If only it did something good for carpet. [/quote] If only! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehelios Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 It can polish silver but can we use it to polish our hookahs? That'd be a fantastic way to recycle! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cp44 Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 awesome find Stuie! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ntur Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 pretty cool tricks. ill have to start saving my ash too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jordan Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 LOL..where I live we use rock salt to melt the snow As far as ashes, I save mine in my coal pan and when I light up a bunch of cocos I cover the extra ones with the ashes until I need them. The ashes help preserve the coals and slow down the burning process without them going out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. B Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 I add them to potting soil and compost heaps on occasion. I've also used them to polish silver, though I typically use baking soda. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mushrat Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 I used to have an employee who would take a bag or two of ash home for the garden now and then. And we used to use it for ice when i lived in the great north. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fineout Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 where i live we just learn to drive with ice and not have 100000 car pileups because of a quarter inch of snow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mushrat Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 funny you should mention that... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skoozle Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 (edited) [quote name='jordan' timestamp='1297728085' post='497892'] LOL..where I live we use rock salt to melt the snow As far as ashes,[b] I save mine in my coal pan and when I light up a bunch of cocos I cover the extra ones with the ashes until I need them. The ashes help preserve the coals and slow down the burning process without them going out[/b]. [/quote] Now [i]that[/i] is a good use for ash. Edited February 15, 2011 by Skoozle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TweakX4 Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 when me and my roommate moved into our apartment he brought a couple good size jars. i started filling, and just finished filling the largest one. i have no idea what i'm going to do with it. i was kinda thinking about mixing it with something and painting with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skoozle Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 Put the ashes in an urn on your mantle piece and "accidentally" knock it over during a party. Or put some Doritos in them and bring your coals back to life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joytron Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 [quote name='fineout' timestamp='1297732193' post='497902'] where i live we just learn to drive with ice and not have 100000 car pileups because of a quarter inch of snow [/quote] I am pretty sure thats easy when there is not even that many cars in all of rhode island. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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