A fireplace makes you feel warm in the winter season. It helps you maintain your normal body temperature. But if you don't know how to clean and dispose of ashes, you've come to the right page! We've done our research on this topic and we'll give you the best solution for your problem.
To clean and dispose of fireplace ashes, follow these steps:
- Get all your cleaning tools ready.
- Leave the ashes in the fireplace.
- Let the ashes cool down.
- Use a bucket and shovel to clean up the ashes.
- Dispose of the ashes.
- Keep all cleaning tools after use.
Keep reading if you want to learn more about proper ash disposal. We will delve into some tips for safety measures, and we will also discuss the most commonly asked questions.
Safe Cleaning And Disposal Of Fireplace Ashes
A fireplace can help reduce your electricity bill. It can also improve the look of your home, which is why you need to keep it clean.
But owning one can also be dangerous when safety measures are not applied. Improper ash handling methods can lead to burns, carbon monoxide release, or worse, fire hazards.
For safe cleaning and disposal, you need to go through each of these steps:
1. Get All Your Cleaning Tools Ready
Before proceeding with cleaning, you should prepare all necessary cleaning tools. Having tools ready will help you get started on your main job and reduce your stress.
Tools You'll Need
There are plenty of fireplace tools you can choose from. Most of them are made of cast iron, brass, and stainless steel. Here are the tools you can use for cleaning ashes:
Metal Bucket
To avoid fire hazards, you should use a bucket made of metal or non-combustible material to collect the ashes.
Click here to see this metal fireplace ash bucket on Amazon.
Metal Shovel And Brush
The shovel should be made of metal or a non-combustible material. It should be paired with a brush for sweeping ashes from the fireplace.
Click here to see this fireplace cleaning set on Amazon.
Gloves
When cleaning, use fire-resistant gloves to avoid burning your hands and getting ash in your nails.
Click here to see these fire-resistant gloves on Amazon.
Face Mask
Wearing a face mask will prevent you from inhaling toxic fumes.
Click here to see this mask on Amazon.
Safety Glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent small particles and harmful gases from entering your eyes.
Click here to see these safety glasses on Amazon.
2. Leave The Ashes In The Fireplace
One mistake that most people make is that they don't let the ashes accumulate first. Before cleaning, you must ensure that an inch of ash is left inside the fireplace so that the fire lasts longer. If it starts to rise excessively, it's time to clear the ashes.
3. Let The Ashes Cool Down
You must wait for the ashes to cool before handling them. It's best to wait at least 12-24 hours to ensure safe handling of ashes. For indoor fireplaces, be sure to close the fire door while you wait.
4. Use A Bucket And Shovel To Clean Up The Ashes
After cooling, you can now start dispose of the ashes. Wear gloves and a mask to avoid inhaling toxic fumes. Place the bucket near the fireplace and start shoveling the ashes into the bucket. After shoveling, close the lid immediately.
5. Dispose Of The Ashes
After collecting all the ashes inside the metal bucket, you can now throw them in a regular trash can. Add sand or water to prevent a fire if wood or coal is present.
6. Keep All Cleaning Tools After Use
Store the cleaning tools in a safe place where children can't reach them. Additionally, keeping them clean after use will help them last longer.
How To Recycle Fireplace Ashes
There are many ways to recycle fireplace ashes at home. Here are ways you can do so:
1. Fertilizer For Plants
Use ashes from your fireplace as a plant fertilizer. They contain phosphorus, boron, and calcium which are good for plants.
2. Insect Repellent
You can sprinkle some ashes into the soil to keep pests away. Note that adding too many ashes can upset the pH balance of the soil. You can sprinkle them again when the rain starts to wash them away.
3. Silverware Polisher
Fireplace ashes contain chemicals that are great for polishing silverware. You can make a paste and use it to polish silverware. Just apply it on silverware and remove it after about five minutes using a damp cloth.
4. Melting The Snow
For stubborn layers of snow stuck in the driveway, you can pour ashes to melt the snow faster. You can also pour on sidewalks and other slippery areas.
5. Removing Concrete Oil Stains
Fireplace ashes can be used to remove oil stains from concrete. You can make a paste and then apply it to the oil stains. It takes eight to 10 hours for the ashes to absorb the oil.
Precautionary Measures for Ash Disposal
You should consider safety precautions when handling fireplace ashes. Here are the following tips for you to consider:
- The ideal number of hours to start ash removal is after 24 hours.
- Use only sand, salt, or baking soda to put out the fire.
- Keep flour away from the fireplace, and never use it to put out a fire. The powder contains flammable ingredients which may present a fire hazard.
Never leave a fire unattended, especially if there are children at home. It's always best to be safe and secure. Also, close the chimney to prevent sparks from flying. Sparks can fall on the carpet and cause a fire.
Is Fireplace Ash Flammable?
Fireplace ashes are considered flammable. You have to wait 24 hours or days before you start removing it. But it can still be flammable even after it had time to cool off.
You must dispose of it properly by keeping the lid tightly closed and keeping it away from flammable substances nearby.
Where To Dispose Of Ashes?
Collected ash should be disposed of immediately in a safe place. The ideal location is above snowdrifts or in wetlands, depending on the season.
Never place it indoors, or near buildings. The ideal distance is at least 10 feet away from a house's location.
However, if you are going to recycle it, store it in a cool, dry place out of the reach of children.
Can You Use A Regular Vacuum Cleaner To Clean Ashes?
Regular vacuum cleaners are not designed to remove fireplace ashes. The ashes may remain inside the machine and damage it or cause a fire.
Ash particles are smaller than dust, and vacuum cleaners don't pick them up very well. They can slip through machine filters and become difficult to clean.
But there are vacuum cleaners that are designed to clean up ash. This is the only type of vacuum that is recommended for use.
Click here to see this ash vacuum cleaner on Amazon.
Is Ash Dangerous To Humans?
Ash particles can cause serious health problems. Inhalation can cause asthma attacks, lung damage, skin allergies, and sinusitis. This can also enter your bloodstream and cause toxic effects. Touching the ash particles with your bare hands can cause chemical burns.
Therefore, it is recommended that you wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Additionally, wearing a face mask, safety glasses, and protective gloves is highly recommended when handling ashes.
In Closing
To avoid a fire hazard, always follow safety precautions when disposing of ashes. Fireproof tools should be used so that the ashes can be handled safely.
When cleaning, you should wear a face mask, protective glasses, and gloves to protect yourself against harmful fumes. Always put your safety first.
We hope this article has taught you the importance of safely cleaning and disposing of fireplace ashes. If you want to learn more, check out these posts before you go: