If you love coffee and regularly brew it at home, then you know that disposing of the used coffee grounds is part of the process. The thing is that just because used coffee grounds have done their job as far as making coffee goes, that doesn’t mean that they are trash. Aw, heck no! Used coffee grounds can be reused in so many ways. The truth of the matter is that coffee grounds are never actually trash.
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Once they've done their duty in terms of brewing that perfect cup of java, you can use them as part of your beauty routine, to clean your home, to absorb nasty smells in certain places, to name just a few. And even if you don’t want to bother reusing them for any of those purposes, you still shouldn’t throw them away because you can use them in your garden or on your indoor plants. Check out some of our favorite uses for used coffee grounds!
You can make a simple and inexpensive body scrub out of them.
This particular recipe calls for equal parts used coffee grounds, raw sugar, and coconut oil. You combine all the ingredients and mix them over low heat until the mixture softens, then you transfer into a glass jar. You can then use it as a body scrub.
Use them as a scalp scrub.
According to Medical News Today, “Applying coffee to the hair can be a great way to help rebalance the pH levels of the hair and scalp.” Rubbing used coffee grounds into your scalp can also help remove the dead skin cells from your scalp.
Try them on puffy eyes.
Caffeine restricts blood flow by constricting blood vessels. That reduced blood flow can help reduce puffiness around the eyes. Dab a paste of finely ground coffee around your eyes, you can mix it with a bit of actual coffee for maximum effect. Let it sit for a bit and then rinse off. Do not rub as the skin around your eyes is delicate.
Make a foot bath out of old coffee and grounds.
Save whatever coffee you don’t finish and combine it with the used coffee grounds to give your feet a little love. Add leftover coffee and used grounds to a warm tub of water. Soak your feet and then use the grounds to scrub away dead skin. The caffeine in the coffee can help stimulate blood flow and circulation.
Disclaimer: The advice on MamasLatinas.com is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health care provider with questions and concerns.
Used coffee grounds are great fertilizer.
You can use them to fertilize indoor and outdoor plants. What makes them great for plants is that they contain nitrogen, calcium, potassium, iron, and other minerals that are great for plant growth. They also attract worms and worms make for great soil.
They are great for compost.
If you compost, you definitely don’t want to throw your used coffee grounds away. Add them to your compost. Some coffee shops even gift their used coffee grounds so that composters can use them.
Keeps cats away from your garden.
If you don't want your cat or any cat to poop in your garden, mix used coffee grounds and orange peels and sprinkle in all the areas you want to keep cat-free. Cats don't like those smells for some reason.
Use them to absorb bad odors in fridge.
Coffee grounds not only smell good, they also absorb bad smells. Dry out used coffee grounds and put them in an open container in the fridge so they can absorb any smells caused by spoiled food. Make sure the coffee grounds are dry so that they don’t get moldy.
Put a bowl of dry used grounds in a musty closet.
If your closet is smelling musty, an open container of dry used coffee grounds will help absorb the funk. Make sure the grounds are dry because wet grounds can’t absorb odors. Leave them in there for about 48 hours and repeat with a fresh batch if needed.
Use them to clean your pots and pans.
They can help removed caked-on food from pots and pans without being too abrasive. Just sprinkle them on and then scrub your pots and pans as usual. Don’t use them on enamel coated pots that can get stained, though.
Clean your cutting boards with them.
If you have wooden cutting boards, sprinkle some of your used coffee grounds on them from time to time and use them to scrub away odors with the help of a sponge and dishwashing soap.
Use them to get onion or garlic smell off your hands.
Since coffee grounds are a great deodorizer and scrub, keep some dry used ones by the sink so that whenever you chop onions and garlic you can use them to remove the smells from your hands while scrubbing away some dead skin as well.
They make for a great meat tenderizer.
Coffee has acids and enzymes that work as tenderizers. Mix used coffee grounds with whatever dry-rub recipe you like and rub the mixture on the meat at least two hours before cooking. You’ll get soft and tender meat and the coffee grounds become part of a tasty crust on the outside.
They can repel certain insects and bugs.
Slugs don’t like them, so if you have a slug issue in your garden, sprinkle your used coffee grounds around. Ants aren’t fans of them either. You can spread a 1-inch line of coffee grounds in areas where ants are bothersome or entering your home. You can easily clean up with a vacuum cleaner.
Fix scratches on wood furniture.
If you have dark wood furniture that has been scratched, make a paste out of water and used coffee grounds. Apply the paste to the scratch and let it sit for about 10 minutes, then wipe off with a rag. The coffee paste should have darkened the color of the scratch. Repeat if necessary.
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