10 Things To Do With Your Coffee Grounds
Coffee smells great and wakes us up when we’re flagging. But once you’ve finished your morning brew, the grounds have a surprising number of uses beyond just making your drink Here are 10 practical and creative ways to use them: If you’re an Eco Novice, just give one a go and see what happens.
1. Fertilizer for Plants
- Details: Coffee grounds are rich in essential nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, which are beneficial for plant growth. They also improve soil structure and help retain moisture.
- Usage:
- Direct Application: Sprinkle coffee grounds directly onto the soil around your plants. Use about half an inch layer and lightly mix it into the topsoil.
- Composting: Add coffee grounds to your compost pile. They count as green compost material (rich in nitrogen), so balance them with brown materials like dried leaves and paper.
2. Natural Pest Repellent
- Details: The scent and acidic nature of coffee grounds can repel pests such as ants, slugs, and snails. They can also deter cats from using your garden as a litter box.
- Usage:
- Garden Barrier: Sprinkle a ring of coffee grounds around plants to create a barrier against slugs and snails.
- Ant Deterrent: Scatter grounds in areas where ants are entering your home.
- Cat Repellent: Mix coffee grounds with orange peels and spread the mixture in your garden to keep cats away.
3. Deodorizer
- Details: Coffee grounds can absorb and neutralize odors due to their nitrogen content, which helps eliminate sulfur gas from the air.
- Usage:
- Fridge Deodorizer: Place a bowl of dried coffee grounds in your refrigerator or freezer to absorb odors.
- Room Freshener: Fill small breathable bags (like old socks or pantyhose) with coffee grounds and place them in closets, drawers, or rooms that need freshening up.
- Shoe Deodorizer: Put dried coffee grounds in old socks and place them inside your shoes overnight to absorb odors.
4. Exfoliating Scrub
- Details: The coarse texture of coffee grounds makes them effective at sloughing off dead skin cells, leaving your skin smooth and refreshed.
- Usage:
- Simple Scrub: Mix 1/4 cup of used coffee grounds with 1/4 cup of coconut oil. Add a teaspoon of brown sugar for extra exfoliation if desired. Massage the mixture onto damp skin in circular motions, then rinse off.
- Face Scrub: Combine 1 tablespoon of coffee grounds with 1 tablespoon of yogurt. Apply to your face, gently massage, and rinse with warm water.
5. Cleaning Abrasive
- Details: The abrasive nature of coffee grounds makes them useful for scrubbing away stubborn grime and stains on various surfaces.
- Usage:
- Pots and Pans: Mix coffee grounds with a little water to create a paste. Use a sponge or cloth to scrub pots and pans.
- Surface Cleaner: Sprinkle coffee grounds directly onto surfaces like stovetops or countertops, then scrub with a sponge.
6. Odor Neutralizer for Hands
- Details: Coffee grounds can effectively remove strong odors from your hands, such as those left by garlic, onions, or fish.
- Usage:
- Hand Scrub: Take a small amount of used coffee grounds and rub them between your hands with a bit of water. Rinse thoroughly with soap and water afterwards.
7. Hair Treatment
- Details: Coffee grounds can help exfoliate the scalp, remove product buildup, and add shine to your hair.
- Usage:
- Scalp Scrub: Massage a handful of used coffee grounds into your scalp and hair for a few minutes before shampooing. Rinse thoroughly to remove all grounds.
8. DIY Dye
- Details: Coffee grounds can be used to create a natural, non-toxic dye for fabrics, paper, and other materials.
- Usage:
- Fabric Dye: Boil 2 cups of used coffee grounds in a pot of water for about 30 minutes. Strain the grounds and soak the fabric in the coffee dye solution for a few hours or until the desired color is achieved. Rinse and dry the fabric.
- Paper Dye: Soak paper in the coffee dye solution for a few minutes, then let it dry for a vintage look.
9. Natural Flea Repellent for Pets
- Details: The strong scent and texture of coffee grounds can help repel fleas from your pets’ fur.
- Usage:
- Pet Bath: After giving your pet a bath, rub coffee grounds into their damp fur and let sit for a few minutes. Rinse thoroughly to ensure all grounds are removed, then dry your pet as usual.
10. Enhancing Compost
- Details: Coffee grounds add valuable nutrients to compost and help improve soil structure and fertility when used as part of a balanced compost mix.
- Usage:
- Compost Bin: Add coffee grounds to your compost bin along with other green materials like fruit and vegetable scraps. Balance with brown materials like leaves, straw, or paper to maintain a healthy compost mix.
- Compost Accelerator: Coffee grounds can help speed up the composting process by providing nitrogen, which helps break down organic matter.
Using coffee grounds in these ways can help reduce waste and provide practical, eco-friendly solutions for everyday tasks.
