The Effectiveness of Hardwood Ash As Alternative Stain Remover

A Scientific Investigation

Presented to the Researcher I Teacher of

Santa Maria Integrated High School

Santa Maria Laguna

In Partial Fulfilment

Of the Requirements for the STE-Program

Research 1

Esguerra Robin C.

Nipay Paolo Nicholas B.

De Silva Julianna L.

Untalan Chenna Mae Y.

ABSTRACT

The Effectiveness of Hardwood Ash as Alternative Stain Remover

The researchers made a study about a research titled “The

Effectiveness of Hardwood Ash as Alternative Stain Remover”. Their question

to solve is how does wood ash affect stain remover? They expected that if

there is larger amount of hardwood ash then it can remove more stain.

As a start of their experiment the researchers gathered all of the

materials they need like ash wood, container, strainer, cloths, measuring cup

and measuring spoon. The researchers made 3 set ups and 3 trials and has a

duration of 5 minutes. First they made a solution of the ash wood then

straining it after a day. Next they put it in the fridge for two weeks. Lastly they

did their three set ups the first has a cup of solution, next they put two cups

and the last set up has no ash wood solution. They did their trials on the the

cloth that has ketchup stained from the week before they did their trials

After finishing their first trials the appearance of the stain was almost

removed but the sides. Then the next trial which removed less stain than the

first trial. And lastly the third trial which is the control set up which almost

removed no stain at all.

 The researchers concluded that The researchers therefore conclude

that the larger amount of hardwood ash cannot remove more stain, however

the lesser amount which has a cup of solution can almost remove the stain

and is proved more affective.

They recommend three things first to use a certain amount of wood

ash, next is to use only one certain type of ash wood. Lastly is to use a certain

amount of water based on the amount of ash wood.

Introduction
 Do you ever wonder how our Ancestor’s clean their clothes? Believe it or

not people test different materials that has a good chance that can remove

stains are one of the common problem of households especially to those who

cannot afford to buy expensive bleach. Commercial bleach can cause harm to

humans and the environment as well.

Hardwood ash has been used for many purposes throughout history.

Ash wood has potassium carbonate that is mainly used in soap and glass

production. Ash wood is known for being good for your health and it’s

harmless to our body and ash wood’s is largely composed of calcium

compounds. (Sun2020) People have been using toxic cleaning product

that is not only bad for our health but also can harm our environment too. Ash

wood can proved that we can also use excess waste and it would be

harmless to your health and our environment. But it’s cheaper and more

affordable than toxic detergents.

Research Question

How does wood ash affect stain remover?

Hypothesis

If there is a larger amount of hardwood ash then it can remove more

stain.

Experimental Design

Control Variable Types of clothes, Amount of water, Type of stain,

Amount of stain

Dependent Variable Appearance of the clothes.

Independent Variable Different amount of hardwood ash

Experimental Group: Different amount of hardwood ash.

 Control Group: Water

Materials and Procedures

Table 1. Materials

Materials Quantity

Hardwood Ash 9 cups

Tub 1 pc

Sieve 1 pc

Large Bowl 1 pc

Water 9 cups

Paper Filter 1-2 pcs

Large Plastic Containers 1 pc

Used Cloth 9 pcs

Ketchup 9 tsp’s

Procedures

1. Collect ash in a tub.

2. Sift ash into a large bowl until you’ve collected 9 cups of sifted ash.

3. Add 18 cups of water, and then mix after.

4. Let it steep for 24 hours to extract the potash, mixing occasionally if

possible.

5. Filter the ash water into a plastic container before placing it in the fridge. It

will feel soapy.

6. Label the container before placing it in the fridge. Compose the leftovers.
7. The liquid will be kept for several weeks in the fridge. While waiting make

your cloth (9 pcs) and put 1 tsp’s of ketchup on it.

8. After 2 weeks remove it out from your fridge.

9. Then ready your 3 container than use your solution with different amounts,

after that do this for 3 trials and record your trials.

Experimentation

First Trial with a Cup of the Solution

Second Trial with Two Cup of the Solution

 Third Trial Without Ash Wood Solution

Collecting and Gathering Data

Table 2: The amount of stain removed in different amount of hardwood

ash solution
Amount
Setups of Observation
hardwood Amount of stain removed s
ash
solution
Experimenta Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
l
Setup
Setup 1 1 cup The stain The stain .The stain The only stain
has has almost has almost left is on the
almost been been sides.
been removed. removed.
removed
Setup 2 2 cups It It removed It removed The left stain
removed less stain. less stain. is scattered
less stain. around the
cloth.
Control Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
Group
Setup 3 Without hasn’t The stain’s The stain’s The cloth is
the changed appearance appearance still full of
solution much. hasn’t hasn’t ketchup
changed changed
much. much

Analyzing and Interpreting Data

The table shows the amount of stain removed in different amount of

hardwood ash solution in five (5) minutes. The experimental set up which has

(one) 1 cup of ash wood solution removed most of the stain, next is the set up

with 2 cups of solution has removed less stain than the first set up. Lastly, the
control set up having water only removed a little amount of stain .The first

setup has the right amount, the second is a bit too much ant the control setup

has no solution, which cannot clean much at all. Overall, the ash wood

solution is more effective with 1 cup in used.

The reason why the ash wood solution works is that it is largely

composed of calcium compound that was used in soap production. (Sun2020)

Conclusion

The researchers therefore conclude that the larger amount of

hardwood ash cannot remove more stain, however the lesser amount which

has a cup of solution can almost remove the stain and is proved more

affective.

Recommendation

1. Use only a certain amount of ash wood.

2. Use only one certain type of ash wood.

3. Use a certain amount of water based on the amount of ash wood.

Reference

Ernesto Sun (2020) Wood ash as natural cleaning material. Eccovillage.Org

https://ecovillage.org/solution/wood-ash-as-a-natural-cleaning-material