Ash Cleanup Tips
September 15, 2020 - You may be ready to start cleaning up accumulated ash on your back porch or garden. However, before you head outside and start sweeping, it’s important to spend a few minutes developing a plan. Breathing ash is harmful, and the greatest risk is from fine particles that aren’t visible – and this is the very sort of material that you can unintentionally disturb during cleanup efforts.
Here are a few tips to help you get started.
- First, the most important tip: don’t use a leaf blower to clean up ash! Leafblowers just blow ash back into the air, where it can be hazardous for people and animals.
- Wait until air quality reaches healthy levels before you begin. A good resource to track air quality is https://oraqi.deq.state.or.us/home/map.
- Dress for the occasion. Wear a mask (N-95 or P-100 if available) as well as long pants, a long-sleeve shirt, and gloves. Launder these items promptly after use.
- Identify high use areas around your house (driveway, mailbox area, back porch) and clean those areas first. This reduces the chance of tracking ash into your home.
- Vacuums with HEPA filters can be used to collect ash, but be aware that most household vacuums and shop vacs don’t usually have this level of filtration. The simplest option is to gently sweep accumulated ash into a dustpan, and then bag and dispose in the trash, followed by a wet mop to wipe surfaces clean.
- Avoid washing ash into storm drains, as it can contaminate our local urban stream system. If possible, wash ash onto grassy areas where it can be safely filtered into the soil.
- Small amounts of ash on your vegetable garden are not harmful to plants and can be cleaned off with a gentle shower from a garden hose. Ash on vegetables can be cleaned off thoroughly in the sink prior to eating. If needed, a short soak in a 10% vinegar solution can be helpful for fruits & veggies. For more information on ash in your backyard garden, please refer to this resource from Oregon State University Extension Office: https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/take-precautions-when-wildfire-ash-fa...
Lastly (and this is an important one): remember to be a good neighbor when cleaning up ash. Even the tidiest clean-up operation can put some ash back into the air, where it might create a temporary nuisance for a nextdoor neighbor. Be thoughtful and considerate as you approach ash clean-up.
