Most people toss their used coffee grounds without thinking twice, but they’re more useful than they look. With a little effort, they can live a second life. If you make coffee at home, you’re probably creating this waste every day without realizing it could be repurposed. It doesn’t take much to get extra use out of something you’re already making. Before you rinse them down the sink or dump them in the garbage, check out this helpful list of ideas.
Toss Them Into the Compost Pile
Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, which makes them a helpful addition to your compost pile. When mixed with other organic material like vegetable scraps and yard waste, they help speed up decomposition and support the growth of beneficial microorganisms. Just be sure to balance them with plenty of carbon-rich items like leaves or shredded paper to keep the pile in good shape.
Deodorize the Fridge Naturally
Used coffee grounds can absorb stubborn smells that tend to linger in your fridge. After drying them out completely, place the grounds in an open container and stick it on a shelf. They work similarly to baking soda by neutralizing odors rather than masking them, keeping your refrigerator smelling fresh without chemical sprays.
Feed Your Garden Soil
Coffee grounds can be sprinkled directly into garden soil or around plants to enrich the dirt with nitrogen and other trace minerals. They help improve texture, support healthy root growth, and attract earthworms that boost soil health. Just avoid dumping them in large piles and mix them into the soil for best results.
Keep Pests Out of the Garden
Ants, slugs, and some other common garden pests avoid coffee grounds due to their abrasive texture and strong smell. Creating a ring of grounds around your plants or along your home’s foundation can help form a natural barrier. It’s an easy way to reduce pests without resorting to store-bought chemicals or traps.
Use Them to Absorb Household Odors
You can use coffee grounds to absorb odors in areas beyond the fridge. Sprinkle some in the bottom of your trash can, compost bin, or even your shoes. They work by pulling moisture and odor-causing compounds out of the air, making them a natural solution for musty or stale smells around the house.
Turn Them Into a DIY Face or Body Scrub
When gently rubbed onto damp skin, coffee grounds help remove dead skin cells and leave skin feeling smoother. You can mix them with a bit of coconut oil or honey for a simple DIY scrub. Just keep it away from sensitive areas and rinse thoroughly to avoid clogging your drain
Make a Natural Brown Dye
Soaking coffee grounds in hot water creates a natural dye that can be used for paper crafts, fabric staining, or even aging wood or tags for a rustic look. The resulting color is a soft brown tone that builds in intensity the longer the item soaks. It’s an easy way to reuse grounds creatively without needing artificial dyes.
Grow Mushrooms at Home
Certain types of mushrooms, like oyster mushrooms, grow well in coffee grounds because they thrive in damp, nutrient-rich environments. You’ll need mushroom spores and a container with airflow, but the setup is simple. The grounds act as a substrate that helps the mushrooms grow quickly and reliably.
Scrub Pots and Pans Without Chemicals
The gritty texture of coffee grounds makes them a helpful scrub for baked-on food or grease. They won’t damage most cookware but are abrasive enough to help loosen debris. Just mix the grounds with a bit of water and scrub with a cloth or sponge before rinsing well.
Clean Surfaces With a Gritty Paste
Coffee grounds can also work on hard surfaces like counters or appliances. Mix with a small amount of dish soap to create a paste and scrub areas that need a little extra help. Avoid using on porous or light-colored surfaces since the grounds can stain.
Rub Onto Meat to Help It Cook Tender
Coffee contains natural acids and enzymes that help break down tough meat fibers when used as a rub or marinade. Rubbing used grounds onto a roast or steak and letting it sit before cooking can result in a more tender texture and deeper flavor. The coffee doesn’t overpower the dish but adds a subtle richness.
10 Coffee Upgrades That Are Good For Your Health
Coffee is a morning ritual almost everyone enjoys, but the benefits don’t have to stop at caffeine. With a few smart changes, your daily brew can do more than just wake you up. From better digestion and steadier energy to a little less wear and tear on your system, these tips will have your morning mug working double-time. If it’s already part of your day, you might as well make it count.
Read it Here: 10 Coffee Upgrades That Are Good For Your Health
11 Cities That Promise The Best Cup Of Coffee You’ve Ever Had
If you’re a coffee aficionado, this one’s for you. We’ve compiled a list of cities renowned for serving up the best coffee experiences worldwide. From the historic coffee houses of Vienna to the cutting-edge brews of Melbourne, these destinations are a haven for those who cherish their caffeine.
See Them Here: 11 Cities That Promise The Best Cup Of Coffee You’ve Ever Had
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Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
