Chimney Ash: Bleach
Bleach was made from wood ash. If you have a fireplace or stove at home, you surely can’t miss it. Instead of throwing it away, it may be a good idea (even to save money, in these times that promise to be very difficult) to use it as our great-grandmothers did, that is, to wash clothes. The “ingredients” to prepare the lye are certainly not complicated. In addition to the ashes, in fact, it is enough to get a little tap water, simple and humble. It is clear that since these components are involved, the cost of bleach is practically negligible.
What do you need to prepare it?
You will need: approximately 200 grams of wood ash; a liter of tap water; an old pot with a lid; a wooden stick/bucket; a pair of gloves; a thin cloth to filter everything. With these doses you can obtain approximately 230 milliliters of bleach and approximately 250 grams of ash paste. It is obvious that if you have a lot of ash you can also increase the doses, also to have a little reserve. In that case, it may be an idea to use one kilo of ash and five liters of water.
The first operation consists of sifting the ashes to remove possible impurities. Then we pour the ash into the pot we have available and then cover it with water. At that point, all that remains is to heat to boiling point and then let it simmer for at least an hour and a half. It is clear that the more the boiling takes place, the more the water will evaporate and the more concentrated and powerful the lye will be. In any case, it is best not to exceed two hours. The flame should be low and occasionally you should stir with the wooden stick or whatever you have available. The saucepan should be covered, but it is best to leave a hole for the steam to escape. Before using it, bleach should rest for at least twelve hours.
Put on your gloves
When it has rested, the bleach (which is the liquid part) should be poured into another container, preferably glass: this should be done with the help of filter paper or a strainer covered with a fine linen or cotton cloth. During this operation it is advisable to wear gloves. At the end of this operation, there are two products: bleach, which can take on a different color depending on the wood burned to make the ash, and ash paste, which can be decanted and stored in a glass jar. Both products last a long time, but as a precaution it is best not to exceed a year between preparation and use.
Bleach can have many uses: diluted in water and transferred to a spray canister, it can be used to clean washable surfaces, such as bathroom fixtures and tile. Half a glass in a liter of water is enough. You can also use half a tablespoon of bleach in the washing machine to increase the effectiveness of the detergent. Another use is for washing floors, diluting a glass of bleach in a bucket of water and then scrubbing in the usual way. As for ash paste, it is excellent for cleaning the bottom of pots, dishes and various dishes, especially when they have stubborn dirt.
Chimney ash and its various uses.
More generally, fireplace ash can be used: as soap, with the addition of olive oil; to keep snails away; clean and polish stainless steel; enrich the garden compost; as a natural fertilizer: small amounts of ash can rebalance excessively acidic soils; melting snow or ice ; clean cutlery ; to prepare grape molasses.
