Coffee is a morning essential for many people. What’s the next step, after drinking that hot cup of joe? You may be tempted to throw out the grounds, but why not use them for something instead? Coffee grounds are packed full of nutrients and can be used in a variety of ways around the house, in the garden, or for personal care. Here are 5 ways to reuse your coffee grounds and give them a new life:
- Fertilize Your Garden
If you have a garden, you might already know that coffee grounds are an excellent fertilizer. They are rich in nitrogen and also contain potassium and phosphorus. You can add them to your compost pile or directly to your garden soil. Sprinkle the used grounds around your plants and they will help to improve the soil structure, encourage earthworms, and retain moisture. Coffee grounds are especially beneficial for acid-loving plants like tomatoes, roses, and blueberries.
Pro Tip: Don’t use coffee grounds on seedlings or young plants as they can be too acidic. Mix them with compost instead.
- Natural Deodorizer for Your Home
Coffee grounds are great at absorbing odors, so they can be used as a natural deodorizer in your home. Place a bowl of dried coffee grounds in your fridge, freezer, or even your trash can to eliminate any unpleasant smells. You can also sprinkle some on your carpets before vacuuming to help remove odors and freshen up your home.
Pro Tip: Add a few drops of essential oil to the coffee grounds for an even fresher scent!
3. DIY Exfoliating Scrub
Coffee grounds make a great exfoliating scrub. The texture of the grounds helps slough away dead skin cells, leaving your skin feeling soft and smooth. The caffeine in coffee also has some purported skin benefits, including increased circulation and reduced puffiness. Combine the used grounds with a little coconut oil or honey, and you have a luxurious, all-natural scrub for your body or face.
Simple recipe:
- ½ cup coffee grounds
- ¼ cup coconut oil (melted)
- 2 tablespoons honey
Mix well and store in an airtight container for up to a week.
- Pest Repellent in the Garden
Coffee grounds can help deter pests in the garden, like ants, slugs, or snails. The acidity of the grounds and the texture can irritate these pests, making it an eco-friendly option for keeping them at bay. Sprinkle the grounds in places where you’ve seen pest activity or around the edges of your garden beds. They’ll add nutrients to the soil, too, so it’s a win-win.
Pro tip: Replenish the grounds after heavy rains as they may lose their potency when soaked.
Neutralize Pet Odors
Does your pet’s bed or favorite spot on the couch smell like anything less than fresh? Guess what coffee grounds can do here, too. Coffee grounds can help you out because of their deodorizing properties. Place some dried coffee grounds in an open container near the smelly area to help absorb and neutralize odors. You can even sprinkle some on your pet’s fur (dogs are best for this) and then brush them out to give your pet a quick deodorizing treatment. Just be sure to keep your pet from eating them, as coffee can be toxic to pets.
Closing Thoughts
Find ways to repurpose coffee grounds and you can help reduce waste and make environmentally friendly decisions for your home and garden and even for your beauty routine. If you want to care for your plants, freshen your home, or just treat yourself, you have a variety of options for making use of used coffee grounds. So, the next time you make a pot of coffee, you will remember that there are multiple uses for those coffee grounds that remain after your brew—giving you even more reasons to enjoy that morning cup of coffee.