8 Ways to Reuse Coffee Grounds
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Mmmm, coffee...There's no denying that it is the favourite beverage of many Aussies. It is enjoyed by all age groups and is a popular choice for morning, afternoon and even evening drinks.
Coffee is the only thing that can give us that pick-me-up when we hit that afternoon slump when our energy starts to wane and we find it difficult to concentrate on anything.
Aside from those benefits, coffee is delicious! The rich, bold flavour of coffee is one of the things that make it such a popular beverage. For many people, the flavour of coffee is the best part of drinking it.
And we might not even think twice about the coffee grounds that we discard after brewing a pot. But, did you know that those coffee grounds can be reused in many ways to make the most of your money?
Coffee grounds are rich in nutrients and enzymes that can be beneficial for your gardening and cleaning needs. We've compiled eight fantastic reasons why you should never throw away spent coffee grounds again!
Credit: YouTube/Household Hacker
1. Fridge deodoriser
If you're looking for a way to get rid of food odours in your refrigerator, you may want to try using coffee grounds. Just spread them out on a baking sheet and allow them to dry. Then, load up a small open container with the grounds and place it in the back of the fridge. After a few weeks, you'll notice a difference in the smell of your fridge.
You can also use coffee grounds to neutralise odours in your freezer. Just funnel them into an old clean sock and tie it off before placing it in the freezer. You'll be surprised at how fresh your freezer will smell.
2. Hand deodoriser
Coffee grinds can help erase the overpowering smell from your hands, especially if you're handling raw seafood or slicing up pungent vegetables like garlic and onions.
Simply keep a container of coffee grinds close to the sink so you can completely coat your hands before giving them a gentle scrub with some water.
3. Hand scrub
Looking for a way to make your skin feel fresh without using harsh soaps and chemicals? Why not try making your own coffee hand scrub? This natural hand scrub is perfect for getting rid of dirt and grease, and exfoliating your hands.
To make the scrub, simply combine one cup of coffee grounds with a cup of coarse sea salt and a cup of coconut oil. Mix everything in a big container. The abrasiveness of the coffee grounds will wipe away dirt and grease, and the salt will exfoliate your skin.
Your hands will look nice and shiny and clean after using this scrub. Plus, it's a great way to recycle those coffee grounds! You can even use this on your legs and arms in the shower.
4. Stove top cleaner
Who knew that coffee grounds can be used for more than just making a delicious beverage? It turns out that coffee grounds can also be used as a natural cleaning agent.
Simply cover a cloth with coffee grounds and scrub it over any stubborn grease or food particles. Before you know it, your dishes and stovetop will be sparkling clean.
Not only is this method of cleaning more environmentally friendly than using harsh chemicals, but it's also more effective than you might think!
Coffee grounds are rich in nutrients and enzymes that can be beneficial for your gardening and cleaning needs. Credit: Bulletproof.com.
5. Pest control
If you're looking for a simple and effective way to deter pests from eating your plants, coffee grounds may be the answer. Coffee grounds can create a barrier against ants, bugs, and slugs, and also improve the health of your plants.
Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen and other nutrients that plants need, so they can help your plants to grow more vibrant and healthy. And since coffee grounds are acidic, they can also help to deter pests that prefer alkaline conditions.
6. Plant fertiliser
Did you know that your used-up coffee grounds can also be used as an excellent fertiliser?
That's right - coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, making them a great natural fertiliser for your garden. So if you don't have a use for your coffee grounds right now, go ahead and add them to your compost bin for later. That way, if you're planning on doing some gardening, you already have your fertiliser on hand. Or, if you're feeling generous, you could give them to your neighbour who's working on a gardening project. But ask first so they’re not confused!
7. Grass booster
If you're looking for a way to revitalise your lawn and attract beneficial worms to your soil, consider using coffee compost. Compost is a great way to add nutrients to your lawn and improve its overall health.
To make this coffee compost, you'll need both green and brown matter and, of course, coffee grounds. Green matter includes things like grass clippings and fruit scraps, while brown matter includes things like dead leaves and twigs. The right balance of these materials will create a rich, nutrient-rich compost that will do wonders for your lawn.
To apply the coffee compost to your lawn, simply mix it into the soil with a rake. Be sure to evenly distribute the compost, as too much of it in one area can create problems. Once you've applied the compost, water it well and you should start to see results within a few weeks.
You can reuse coffee grounds as a fertiliser, grass booster, and pest control agent. Credit: GardeningKnowHow via iStock/thamkc.
8. Coffee-scented candles
Who knew those old coffee grounds could be turned into something so beautiful and fragrant? With just a few simple steps, you can transform your used coffee grounds into an all-natural, homemade candle.
The first step is to melt a store-bought candle wax. You can do this using the double boiler method or by microwaving the wax for about 90 seconds to about 80 degrees Celsius. Once the wax is melted, you can add your own scents to it if you like. Then, let the wax cool down to about 65 degrees Celsius.
Next, add a wick to the centre of the jar and slowly pour in a layer of wax. Then, add a scoop of coffee grounds and let it all sit for about a minute. Repeat this process until you fill your container entirely. You can sprinkle additional coffee grounds on top for an artisanal look. Finally, cut the wick to size and you're finished!
Not only is this candle much cheaper to make than to buy, but it also smells amazing. So the next time you have used coffee grounds, don't throw them out – repurpose them into a beautiful and fragrant candle!
Tip for non-coffee drinkers: If you don't drink a lot of coffee, don't worry; many local businesses, including some Starbucks and McDonald's restaurants, will gladly offer you bags of spent grinds if you want to use them for your house or garden. Just ask the staff member for the grounds next time you're in the area. Of course, this will depend on the store managers.
Living a sustainable, zero-waste lifestyle is possible if you're creative and willing to research the many uses of household items we typically throw away after use. What's better is that these practices can help you save money!
Will you be giving these tips a try? Better yet, do you know other uses for coffee grounds? Share them with us in the comments below!
Coffee is the only thing that can give us that pick-me-up when we hit that afternoon slump when our energy starts to wane and we find it difficult to concentrate on anything.
Aside from those benefits, coffee is delicious! The rich, bold flavour of coffee is one of the things that make it such a popular beverage. For many people, the flavour of coffee is the best part of drinking it.
And we might not even think twice about the coffee grounds that we discard after brewing a pot. But, did you know that those coffee grounds can be reused in many ways to make the most of your money?
Coffee grounds are rich in nutrients and enzymes that can be beneficial for your gardening and cleaning needs. We've compiled eight fantastic reasons why you should never throw away spent coffee grounds again!
Credit: YouTube/Household Hacker
1. Fridge deodoriser
If you're looking for a way to get rid of food odours in your refrigerator, you may want to try using coffee grounds. Just spread them out on a baking sheet and allow them to dry. Then, load up a small open container with the grounds and place it in the back of the fridge. After a few weeks, you'll notice a difference in the smell of your fridge.
You can also use coffee grounds to neutralise odours in your freezer. Just funnel them into an old clean sock and tie it off before placing it in the freezer. You'll be surprised at how fresh your freezer will smell.
2. Hand deodoriser
Coffee grinds can help erase the overpowering smell from your hands, especially if you're handling raw seafood or slicing up pungent vegetables like garlic and onions.
Simply keep a container of coffee grinds close to the sink so you can completely coat your hands before giving them a gentle scrub with some water.
3. Hand scrub
Looking for a way to make your skin feel fresh without using harsh soaps and chemicals? Why not try making your own coffee hand scrub? This natural hand scrub is perfect for getting rid of dirt and grease, and exfoliating your hands.
To make the scrub, simply combine one cup of coffee grounds with a cup of coarse sea salt and a cup of coconut oil. Mix everything in a big container. The abrasiveness of the coffee grounds will wipe away dirt and grease, and the salt will exfoliate your skin.
Your hands will look nice and shiny and clean after using this scrub. Plus, it's a great way to recycle those coffee grounds! You can even use this on your legs and arms in the shower.
4. Stove top cleaner
Who knew that coffee grounds can be used for more than just making a delicious beverage? It turns out that coffee grounds can also be used as a natural cleaning agent.
Simply cover a cloth with coffee grounds and scrub it over any stubborn grease or food particles. Before you know it, your dishes and stovetop will be sparkling clean.
Not only is this method of cleaning more environmentally friendly than using harsh chemicals, but it's also more effective than you might think!
Coffee grounds are rich in nutrients and enzymes that can be beneficial for your gardening and cleaning needs. Credit: Bulletproof.com.
5. Pest control
If you're looking for a simple and effective way to deter pests from eating your plants, coffee grounds may be the answer. Coffee grounds can create a barrier against ants, bugs, and slugs, and also improve the health of your plants.
Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen and other nutrients that plants need, so they can help your plants to grow more vibrant and healthy. And since coffee grounds are acidic, they can also help to deter pests that prefer alkaline conditions.
6. Plant fertiliser
Did you know that your used-up coffee grounds can also be used as an excellent fertiliser?
That's right - coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, making them a great natural fertiliser for your garden. So if you don't have a use for your coffee grounds right now, go ahead and add them to your compost bin for later. That way, if you're planning on doing some gardening, you already have your fertiliser on hand. Or, if you're feeling generous, you could give them to your neighbour who's working on a gardening project. But ask first so they’re not confused!
7. Grass booster
If you're looking for a way to revitalise your lawn and attract beneficial worms to your soil, consider using coffee compost. Compost is a great way to add nutrients to your lawn and improve its overall health.
To make this coffee compost, you'll need both green and brown matter and, of course, coffee grounds. Green matter includes things like grass clippings and fruit scraps, while brown matter includes things like dead leaves and twigs. The right balance of these materials will create a rich, nutrient-rich compost that will do wonders for your lawn.
To apply the coffee compost to your lawn, simply mix it into the soil with a rake. Be sure to evenly distribute the compost, as too much of it in one area can create problems. Once you've applied the compost, water it well and you should start to see results within a few weeks.
You can reuse coffee grounds as a fertiliser, grass booster, and pest control agent. Credit: GardeningKnowHow via iStock/thamkc.
8. Coffee-scented candles
Who knew those old coffee grounds could be turned into something so beautiful and fragrant? With just a few simple steps, you can transform your used coffee grounds into an all-natural, homemade candle.
The first step is to melt a store-bought candle wax. You can do this using the double boiler method or by microwaving the wax for about 90 seconds to about 80 degrees Celsius. Once the wax is melted, you can add your own scents to it if you like. Then, let the wax cool down to about 65 degrees Celsius.
Next, add a wick to the centre of the jar and slowly pour in a layer of wax. Then, add a scoop of coffee grounds and let it all sit for about a minute. Repeat this process until you fill your container entirely. You can sprinkle additional coffee grounds on top for an artisanal look. Finally, cut the wick to size and you're finished!
Not only is this candle much cheaper to make than to buy, but it also smells amazing. So the next time you have used coffee grounds, don't throw them out – repurpose them into a beautiful and fragrant candle!
Tip for non-coffee drinkers: If you don't drink a lot of coffee, don't worry; many local businesses, including some Starbucks and McDonald's restaurants, will gladly offer you bags of spent grinds if you want to use them for your house or garden. Just ask the staff member for the grounds next time you're in the area. Of course, this will depend on the store managers.
Living a sustainable, zero-waste lifestyle is possible if you're creative and willing to research the many uses of household items we typically throw away after use. What's better is that these practices can help you save money!
Will you be giving these tips a try? Better yet, do you know other uses for coffee grounds? Share them with us in the comments below!
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