Blue Vista Concierge, LLC

02/27/2026

11/30/2024

THE MANY USES FOR WOOD ASH

If you heat your home with wood, you probably have a good supply of wood ash.
It consists mainly of the minerals left behind after burning wood, and contains calcium along with other beneficial elements that can be useful around the house when applied correctly.

NATURAL ICE MELT

One of the most effective uses for wood ash during winter is as a natural ice melt. The minerals in wood ash function similarly to salt, helping to melt ice on driveways and walkways. Just be cautious when using it near your front door, as it can create a mess if tracked inside.

NATURAL TOILET CLEANER

Wood ash is an excellent toilet cleaner because it not only cleans and polishes the bowl but is also safe for septic systems.

CLEANING CLOUDY HEADLIGHTS

A reader once shared that they create a rubbing paste from wood ash to clear up cloudy headlights on their vehicle. This makes sense, as the grime and exhaust residue on headlights are quite similar to the dirt on stove glass.

SILVER POLISH

Just like it cleans glass, wood ash can also be used to polish silver. Simply dampen a cloth, add a bit of wood ash, and gently rub tarnished silver to restore its shine.

In rural areas and while camping, wood ash is often used to scrub dishes as well.

SKUNK ODOR REMOVER

Wood ash can help neutralize skunk odor on pets. If your pet gets sprayed, dust them with wood ash and leave them outside for a few hours before giving them a thorough bath.

While this method can be somewhat effective and may have been more common in the past, there are now better alternatives available. If your pet has been sprayed by a skunk, using wood ash is fine in a pinch, but I highly recommend having skunk-off spray and specialized pet shampoo on hand.

CONCEALING STAINS ON PAVING

Wood ash, with its natural grey hue, is effective for masking stains on sidewalks and paving. Just sprinkle a little on the affected area and rub it in with your shoe.

REMOVING OIL SPILLS

Just like it can hide stains, wood ash is also great for soaking up oil spills, helping to prevent them from becoming a problem in the first place.

ROACH REPELLENT

Sprinkling some ash in dark areas of your home or beneath appliances can deter cockroaches. Their tough exoskeletons don’t fare well against wood ash, making it an effective barrier.

ODOR ABSORBER

Much like baking soda, wood ash can help eliminate unpleasant smells in your home. Placing a small jar in the fridge can work wonders, especially if there are bits of charcoal mixed in with the ashes.

HUMIDITY ABSORBER

Wood ash is useful for soaking up moisture and can help stop mold from forming in damp areas. Just put a cup of wood ashes in a musty cupboard or basement, and the leftover charcoal pieces will enhance its effectiveness.

GARDEN FERTILIZER

Rich in trace minerals from the wood, wood ash is beneficial for plant health. While it lacks carbon and nitrogen, those nutrients can easily be sourced from compost.

According to the University of Vermont, about 5 gallons of wood ash is recommended for every 1,000 square feet of garden space. However, be cautious, as it raises soil pH and isn’t suitable for acid-loving plants like blueberries or potatoes.

ENHANCE COMPOST

Adding a small amount of wood ash can give your compost pile a helpful boost. While birds may enjoy the compost, in rural areas, it can attract bears. Sprinkling some wood ash on top can deter these large animals from rummaging through your scraps.

Many have found that since they began incorporating wood ash into their compost, they’ve noticed a significant improvement in its health. Digging into the center reveals a handful of active worms diligently breaking everything down.

MANAGING POND ALGAE

Wood ash is rich in micronutrients essential for plant growth, which can also enhance the health of aquatic plants. The potassium found in wood ash can help rooted aquatic plants in a pond thrive, allowing them to better compete with algae. This competition can effectively slow down algae growth in the pond. Just be cautious not to overdo it.

AVOIDING FROST DAMAGE TO PLANTS

Sprinkling wood ash on plants before a light frost can help shield them from frost damage. This is because the mineral salts in wood ash can lower the freezing point of water without harming the plant tissues, unlike some other salts.

COMBATING CALCIUM DEFICIENCY IN TOMATOES

Those unsightly black spots on tomatoes are often due to a lack of calcium. While eggshells and bone meal are commonly added to tomato planting holes for calcium, wood ash can serve the same purpose. Simply mix about 1/4 cup of wood ash into each tomato planting hole before placing the transplants.

REPELLING SLUGS AND SNAILS

Creating a ring of wood ash around your crops can deter slugs and snails from entering your plant beds. We use this method around our homegrown shiitake mushrooms, which are particularly vulnerable to these pests. It’s also effective for leafy vegetables like lettuce. Keep in mind that the wood ash barrier will only last until it rains or gets wet, so you’ll need to reapply it regularly. The upside is that it washes off easily when it’s time to harvest.

SAFE ANT REPELLENT FOR KIDS AND PETS

By placing a mound of wood ash on top of an anthill, you can encourage ants to relocate their nest. This method won’t destroy the nest, but it will prompt the ants to move, making it a great way to keep their nests away from areas where kids play.

MINERAL SUPPLEMENT FOR CHICKENS

Wood ash is packed with minerals, making it a beneficial supplement for chickens when used in moderation. According to Community Chickens, “Wood ash provides calcium and potassium.” Adding wood ash to your chicken feed can be a great way to enhance their diet.

09/25/2024

07/27/2023

https://www.allrecipes.com/article/how-to-store-garlic/?hid=b1da6682732be81095db5372ec4028d0f8cdca9a&did=9712259-20230727&utm_campaign=alrcom-kitchen-fix_newsletter&utm_source=alrcom&utm_medium=email&utm_content=072723&lctg=b1da6682732be81095db5372ec4028d0f8cdca9a

There are numerous ways to store garlic so that it retains its quality and flavor for as long as possible. The best approach depends on whether you're storing an entire head of garlic or individual cloves. You can also store freshly minced garlic for later use. Here's how to store each form to maxim...

04/25/2023

During a power outage, you might wonder how much your food has thawed – but opening up the freezer to check is a recipe for disaster since it will let warm air in and cause the food to thaw more quickly.
Instead, you should wait until after the storm has ended. The problem with this is that you’ll never really know exactly how frozen or thawed the food was – and you won’t know whether it’s safe to eat.
Enter – the coin in a cup of water trick. This is something you can do before a storm to help you know whether you can safely eat the food in your freezer.
All you need to do is fill a cup with water. Put it in the freezer until it’s frozen solid. Then, place a quarter on top of it and put the cup back in the freezer.
After the power outage, check the cup. If the quarter is still on top, your electricity didn’t go out for a significant amount of time and the food is likely safe to eat.
If the quarter has sunk to the bottom, that indicates that the ice thawed completely and the power was out for quite some time. You should probably get rid of the contents of your freezer to avoid getting sick.
And if it’s in the middle? It’s a toss-up. If your freezer is one that’s attached to your refrigerator (not a freestanding unit), you should get rid of the contents of your refrigerator if the coin is in the center. The frozen food is likely still okay, but the food in your fridge definitely is not.

03/28/2023

Baking Soda! Great for household cleaners and safer than many "chemical" cleaners.

Clean the Oven
Cleaning the oven can feel like a big undertaking but combining baking soda and white vinegar will make it easier. To start, create a paste by mixing sodium bicarbonate and water and then spread it on the bottom and all sides of the oven. Spray vinegar over the paste and it will begin to foam. Let it sit for a few minutes and then scrub with a sponge or dishcloth. Difficult stains and hardened food particles should come off easily. If not, spray on more vinegar until it's easy to remove the gunk or repeat the process.

Clean a Stainless-Steel Sink
Every now and then your stainless-steel sink deserves a good cleaning to keep it shining and smelling good. Grab a lemon, cut it in half, and pour a small amount of sodium bicarbonate on the cut side of one lemon half. Use the lemon as if it were a sponge, scrubbing down and cleaning the sink. Another option is to make a paste of baking soda and lemon juice and add the mixture to a sponge or cloth to clean the sink.

Unclog Drains
Clogged drains can cause horrible odors, not to mention taking your sink out of commission. Don't fret. Sprinkle a couple of tablespoons of baking soda down the drain and pour in hot to boiling vinegar (you can heat it in the microwave or on the stovetop). This will cause a sizzle and foam reaction and hopefully break up the blockage. Afterward, run hot water down the drain to rinse and everything should be running smoothly again.

10/04/2022

RIP Loretta Lynn

09/29/2022

Don’t Throw Banana Peels, Do This Instead!
Banana is a botanically complex plant. It is known to us as a fruit, but it is also a berry. No matter its distinction, however, there is no denying its valuable use in health and nutrition.
Consuming bananas brings many benefits to digestive and cardiovascular health. It is famously consumed as a dessert, eaten raw, or processed into smoothies. Banana is also an ingredient in a variety of cakes, pastries, and confectioneries.
Here are the uncommon uses of banana peels you might want to know to put them to better use. Use banana peels as:
First Aid - It is a long-known fact that you probably already know. Banana peels are the go-to first aid for treating itching, burns, bug bite, and poison ivy rash. Instead of banana pulp, you can also press its peel as a poultice in the affected area.
Remove Splinter - Banana peel is a pain-free remedy for drawing out a splinter in the skin. It contains enzymes that can soften the skin and leaves it supple, which can eventually force the splinter to rise to the surface. For shallow splinters, you can leave it for 5 to 10 minutes, or overnight for deeper ones.
Use It As Polish - Banana peels serve as a natural and chemical-free polish for cleaning leather and silverware. Apply it to your shoes, then buff and wipe away the residue. Rub it on the silverware and rinse to revive its streak-free shine.
Use It As Plant Fertilizer - Banana peel is as good for plants as it is for you. You may add it to other kitchen scraps like eggshells, coffee grounds, and other organic materials to make rich compost. Alternatively, you can soak the banana peel in water and blend them in a food processor. Bury the mixture in a shallow slot near the base of the plant.
Bug Spray - Bananas can deter many plant bugs like aphids when you use them as a liquid spray. You can make your own banana peel insecticide by soaking the peel in water for at least a week. Remove the peel, dilute the water, and spray it on the base of the plant to repel insects and pathogens.