We all enjoy a good cup of coffee and even better when it is freshly brewed. And what makes it even better is that you can use the coffee grounds for a lot of different things. We have listed 15 things you can use coffee grounds for.
1. Fertilize your plants
Coffee grounds contain rich amounts of nitrogen and function as a perfect natural fertilizer for your plants. For amazing blooms spread coffee grounds around your azaleas, rhododendrons, and Hydrangeas.
If you like to plant from seeds and want to give them an extra nitrogen boost, just put some grounds in your watering can. This helps your seedlings with extra natural fertilize energy.
2. Coffee Body Scrub
Coffee grounds are perfect as a scrub. It removes dead skin and helps reduce the appearance of cellulite. If you combine it with coconut oli that moisturizes the skin – you have the best body scrub.
Here is how to make an easy homemade coffee body scrub (the recipe makes 2 cups of scrub).
Ingredients:
1 cup ground organic coffee
1 cup organic sugar or salt
1/2 cup organic coconut oil
You can choose to add following ingredients for some extra fragrance:
1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon vanilla
Instructions:
1. Melt the coconut oil and let it cool but not solidify.
2. Mix all ingredients into the oil. Store the body scrub in an airtight container or mason jar.
3. Use the scrub 1-2 times a week.
3. Keep aphids and ants away
Would you like to keep aphids away from your roses? Or are your roses already plagued by aphids? Try this! Sprinkle coffee grounds on the ground around the roots. Do it 3-4 times a week for 14 days. Then you should start seeing results.
Spread coffee ground around your plant beds to keep ants away. Ants just do not like coffee grounds. If the ants are already inside the bed, sprinkle the grounds around their nest or on the ant hill. This will make them stay away.
Used grounds also repel snails and slugs.
4. Coffee candle
The smell of coffee is known for grabbing most people’s attention. Walking by a coffee shop and the familiar smell just make you want to grab a good cup of coffee – even after 3pm. Maybe your are more addicted to the smell than the taste of coffee… naaa… but if you would like to fill your home with the scent from coffee. Watch this video on how to make a candle with your coffee grounds.
5. Eliminate Odors
Coffee ground is the perfect natural way to eliminate bad odors in your refrigerator or bath room. It is very easy. Let the coffee grounds dry on a baking pan. Put the grounds in a open jar or a ball and place it where you have an odor.
You can also try to make small balls or tablets out of the grounds. Fill an ice cube tray with coffee grounds and freeze it. Drop a tablet into your garbage disposal. This will keep it smelling fresh.
6. Grow mushrooms
It is so easy and funny to try and grow your own mushrooms. All you need is a container, coffee grounds, mushroom spawns and some plastic wrap.
Try this simple guide Growing your own Oyster mushrooms
7. “Muddy” Playdough
What is more fun for your kid than playing with mud and dinosaurs? But you are the one who has to clean it all up. What if your kid can have fun with mud and dinosaurs without all the mess? Muddy Playdough!
The recipe is simple.
Ingredients:
2 cups of plain flour
½ cup of coffee grounds
1 cup of salt
2 teaspoons of Cream of Tartar
1 cup of very hot water
2 tablespoons of oil
Instructions:
1. Mix all the dry ingredients together.
2. Stir while pouring the wet ingredients in.
3. Let it sit until it has thicken – if too sticky add more flour or if it is to dry add more oil.
Have fun playing in the mud with your kid.
8. Clean pots and pans
Try to use some coffee grounds next time you have to clean your greasy pots or pans instead of harsh chemical cleaners. You will be surprised how effective coffee grounds, water and a sponge really are. However, be gentle on teflon and similar materials.
You can also do the same on your grill rest.
9. Pincushion
Coffee grounds can prevent needles from rusting. Just fill an old stock with coffee grounds and sew it together. This is an easy and inexpensive way to store your needles.
10. Avoid garlic and onion smell
After chopping an onion or garlic you wash your hands, but the smell won’t go away. Try this! Rub your hands with coffee grounds and rinse them. It will take the smell away.
11. Tender meat
Add a tablespoon of coffee grounds to the marinade when marinating meat. The meat won’t taste of coffee instead you have a more tender meat with mild smoked flavor.
12. New furniture with an old look
If you want to give your wood furniture a new “old” look, try this simple trick.
Rub the wood surface with coffee grounds and rinse it off. It gives the wood a completely different character.
13. No dark circles under eyes
If you tend to have dark circles and puffy eyes you can try and make this coffee eye mask. The caffeine in the coffee grounds acts anti-inflammatory and helps to remove redness, dark edges, etc.
Ingredients:
1-2 tablespoon of coffee grounds
1 teaspoon of honey
1 teaspoon of water (add more if it is too thick)
Instructions:
1. Mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl.
2. Apply the mask right under your eyes. But be careful, do not get it into your eyes.
3. Let the mask sit for 10-15 minutes.
4. Wash it off with warm water and see the results.
Use this mask 3-4 times a week or even every day!
14. Keep cats away
Do you get unwanted cats in your garden? Here is an old trick you can try to keep them away. Cats do not like the scent of coffee and orange. Mix coffee grounds with orange peel and spread it around the garden to avoid cat visits. This blend is an effective and harmless method of keeping them at away.
15. No slippery roads
When it is cold out side and the roads are starting to get slippery you can mix coffee grounds with road salt or sand and spread it out in the driveway. This will help melt the ice faster and and attach the sand/gravel better to the ground.