37 Surprising Uses for Used Coffee Grounds

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world Most people drink it every day as part of their morning routine. After brewing coffee, we’re left with a pile of damp, brown used coffee grounds. While some people throw them in the trash or down the garbage disposal, used coffee grounds have a surprising number of uses around the home, garden, and for beauty treatments

Uses for Spent Coffee Grounds Around the House

1. Clean pots and pans – The abrasive texture of used coffee grounds makes them a great natural scouring agent for cleaning stuck-on messes in pots and pans Just sprinkle them directly on the dirty pan and scrub as usual. The grounds will help remove caked-on food without damaging surfaces.

2. Deodorize garbage disposals – Pouring a bit of used coffee grounds down the drain can help eliminate odors from your garbage disposal and keep it smelling fresh

3. Remove grease and odor from hands – Got some food smells you can’t wash off with regular soap? Give your hands a scrub with wet used coffee grounds to remove stubborn odors like garlic, onions, or fish from your skin. The grounds absorb and eliminate smells naturally.

4. Exfoliate skin – Mix used coffee grounds with a bit of olive oil or coconut oil to make an exfoliating scrub for your body. The coarse texture will slough off dead skin cells.

5. Dye fabric and paper – Soak used coffee grounds in water to extract the pigments and make a natural brown dye. It’s an inexpensive way to give fabric a vintage look or touch up stained fabrics.

Uses for Coffee Grounds in the Garden

1. Fertilize plants – The nutrients and minerals in coffee grounds make them an excellent fertilizer for plants, vegetables, and flower gardens. Sprinkle them around your plants or till them directly into the soil.

2. Boost compost – Add coffee grounds to your compost bin or pile to provide nitrogen, speed up decomposition, and keep odors down. Grounds prevent compost from getting too acidic.

3. Repel garden pests – Spent coffee grounds repel slugs, ants, and mosquitos when scattered around plant beds. The smell deters these common garden pests. Reapply after watering.

4. Prevent weeds – Spreading a layer of used coffee grounds can act as a mulch to block weed growth and prevent their seeds from germinating. Reapply as needed.

5. Grow mushrooms – Oyster mushrooms thrive when grown in damp used coffee grounds. The grounds provide nutrients and the perfect moist, shaded growing environment.

Beauty Uses for Used Coffee Grounds

1. Exfoliate skin – The coarse texture of coffee grounds makes them a great exfoliant to remove dead skin cells and reveal smoother, brighter skin. Mix with olive oil or plain yogurt.

2. Reduce cellulite – Caffeine absorbs through the skin to increase blood circulation, helping to temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite on thighs and buttocks. Scrub those areas with wet grounds.

3. Soften skin – The oils in used coffee grounds contain antioxidants which can help soothe and protect skin. Use them to make moisturizing face masks and skin treatments.

4. Reduce puffy eyes – Placing wet coffee grounds under your eyes helps constrict blood vessels to minimize dark circles and puffiness. Let them sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing.

5. Stimulate hair growth – Massaging coffee grounds into your scalp may stimulate blood flow and nutrients to the hair follicles to encourage growth. Rinse out after 5 minutes.

6. Color hair – Brewed coffee combined with henna powder makes a natural dye to enhance brown hair color. Be sure to do a strand test first to check the color result.

7. Exfoliate lips – Mix used coffee grounds with a bit of olive oil or coconut oil to make a gentle lip scrub that smooths and softens. Gently rub on lips and rinse.

Crafts and Activities Using Spent Coffee Grounds

1. Make paper look antique – Brush on brewed coffee to dye plain white paper and give it an instant aged, vintage look. Works great for crafts, stationery, and party invitations.

2. Create scented candles – Add a tablespoon of dried used coffee grounds to homemade candle wax for candles that smell deliciously like coffee while burning.

3. Repair furniture scratches – Rub wet coffee grounds into scratches on wood furniture with a cotton swab. Let sit for a few hours, then wipe away. The oils will fill scratches and dye wood to disguise nicks.

4. Make play dough – Mix 1/2 cup of used coffee grounds into homemade play dough for an earthy brown color. The grounds will add texture and smell.

5. Dye Easter eggs – Hard boil eggs in coffee made from used grounds to create brown Easter eggs naturally. Let the dyed eggs sit overnight in the fridge for darker color.

6. Draw with coffee paint – Brew used coffee grounds with a bit of water to make brown paint. Use a brush to paint on paper or cardboard. Smells great as it dries!

Cooking and Baking with Spent Coffee Grounds

1. Make homemade espresso powder – Dry used coffee grounds completely and process into a fine powder to make espresso powder. Use to add intense coffee flavor to recipes.

2. Season meat – Rub used coffee grounds on steak, pork, and chicken before grilling or roasting. It adds flavor and helps tenderize and brown the meat.

3. Bake with grounds – Add a tablespoon of spent coffee grounds to recipes for cookies, brownies, chili, and ice cream for a mocha taste. Cakes, pancakes, and bread can benefit from a bit of coffee flavor too.

4. Make coffee liquor – Rebrew coffee grounds to extract more flavor. Strain and add to vodka or rum along with sugar to infuse the liquor.

5. Marinate meat – Used coffee soaked into steak, chicken, or fish fills the meat with delicious flavor. Let marinate overnight before cooking.

6. Make cold brew – Steep used coffee grounds in cold water overnight to extract more caffeine and coffee flavor for cold brewed iced coffee. Strain out grounds before drinking.

Pet Uses for Spent Coffee Grounds

1. Repel fleas – Rub damp coffee grounds into your pet’s coat and let sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing. The smell helps deter fleas, and grounds may physically remove some pests.

2. Hide medicine taste – Mix a small amount of used coffee grounds in your pet’s food to help disguise the flavor of medication. Start with just a pinch to avoid upsetting your pet’s stomach.

Unusual Uses for Coffee Grounds

1. De-skunk pets – If your dog gets sprayed by a skunk, brew extra strong coffee with used grounds and use it as a natural deodorizing shampoo to remove the smell. It neutralizes the skunk odor.

2. Clean fireplaces – Before removing ashes from a wood-burning fireplace, sprinkle on coffee grounds. This weighs down the ash and prevents big plumes of dust. Grounds grab fine particles.

3. Freshen smelly shoes – Place a handful of spent coffee grounds in stinky sneakers or boots overnight. The grounds will absorb foul odors so shoes smell better in the morning.

4. Deter snails – Create a barrier snails and slugs won’t cross by sprinkling a 1cm deep layer of used coffee grounds around flower beds and vegetable plants. Replace after rain.

5. Remove food odors – Place a small bowl of used coffee grounds in the fridge or freezer to absorb leftover food smells. Grounds soak up odors in confined spaces.

6. Sand icy sidewalks – Scatter dried, used coffee grounds on icy walkways for traction similar to sand or kitty litter. Grounds won’t melt ice but add grip to slippery surfaces.

So don’t throw out those used coffee grounds after brewing your morning joe! With a little creativity, you can find dozens of ways to reuse coffee grounds and get the most out of this free garden fertilizer and household helper.