15 Creative Ways to Use Coffee Grounds

Coffee is a popular beverage consumed all over the world. People usually discard the grounds left behind after it’s brewed, but after reading this article, you may reconsider throwing them out.

Coffee grounds have many practical uses around the home and garden and can even help spruce up your beauty routine.

Using a superautomatic coffee machine means you’ll have access to coffee grounds at home. Your machine will notify you when it’s ready for you to dispose of the coffee grounds, which typically happens after making 10 espressos.

15 creative uses for used coffee grounds

1. Fertilize your garden:Coffee grounds make great fertilizer because they contain several key nutrients required for plant growth. They can also help attract worms and decrease the concentrations of heavy metals in the soil. To use coffee grounds as fertilizer, simply sprinkle them onto the soil surrounding your plants.

2. Compost it for later:Adding compost to your garden can significantly improve the health of your plants. Coffee grounds can help increase nutrient levels and decrease the greenhouse gas emissions of your compost.

3. Repel insects and pests:Coffee grounds contain compounds that are toxic to many insects. You can use your coffee grounds to repel mosquitos, fruit flies, beetles and other pests. To use coffee grounds as an insect and pest repellent, simply set out bowls of grounds or sprinkle them around outdoor seating areas. You can also keep pests out of your garden by scattering coffee grounds around your plants. They help create a barrier that slugs and snails do not like to crawl over.

4. Remove flees from your pet:Like other insects, fleas do not like coffee. Bathing your pet in used coffee grounds may help keep fleas at bay. Simply rub the grounds throughout your pet’s fur after shampooing. Then rinse them off and allow your pet to dry as usual.

5. Neutralize odours:Coffee grounds can help absorb and eliminate odours from your refrigerator, gym bag or smelly shoes. Using them as a hand scrub can also help remove lingering smells from onion or garlic.

6. Use it as a natural cleaning scrub:Coffee grounds can be used as an abrasive cleaner. They can help sanitize and remove buildup from sinks, cookware, grills and other surfaces around the house.

7. Scour your pots and pans:You can use coffee grounds to scour your pots and pans. Their abrasive texture helps scrape away caked-on food. Simply sprinkle the grounds directly onto your pots and pans and scrub as usual. Make sure to rinse thoroughly afterward.

8. Exfoliate your skin:Coffee grounds can be repurposed into an exfoliating scrub for your face and body. They help remove dirt and dead skin cells and promote overall skin health. Simply mix coffee grounds with a little bit of water or coconut oil and scrub them with your hands directly onto your face and body. Coffee grounds can also be mixed with a small amount of honey and used as an exfoliating lip scrub.

9. Reduce the appearance of cellulite:Coffee grounds may help reduce the appearance of cellulite by breaking down fat deposits and increasing blood flow to the affected area. Simply mix grounds with water or coconut oil and scrub for 10 minutes twice weekly on any areas affected by cellulite.

10. Use it as a natural dye:Used coffee grounds are a great natural alternative to harsh chemical dyes. Simply rewet them and use them to dye paper or fabric or darken brunette hair.

11. Clean your fireplace:Use coffee grounds to weigh down the ashes in your fireplace before cleaning. This makes for easier ash removal and less mess. This not only makes the ashes easier to remove, but it also keeps dust from escaping and traveling to other parts of the room. 

12. Tenderize meat: Coffee grounds contain natural acids and enzymes that help tenderize meat and enhance its flavour. Simply add used coffee grounds to your favourite dry-rub recipe and apply the rub to the meat two hours before cooking. The grounds will get cooked onto the meat and form a dark, crispy crust.

13. Stimulate hair growth and strip buildup: Exfoliating your scalp with used coffee grounds can help remove dead skin cells and product buildup and may even speed up hair growth. Before you shampoo, simply grab a handful of coffee grounds and massage them into your scalp and hair for a few minutes. Then wash and rinse as you normally would. 

14. Repair scratched furniture:You can use coffee grounds to buff out scratches on wooden furniture and darken them to match your existing finish. First, make a thick paste with used coffee grounds and water. Then rub the paste into the scratch using a cotton swab, allow it to sit for 5–10 minutes and then wipe with a cotton rag. This should help buff out the scratch and conceal it by dying the exposed wood a dark-brown colour. Continue to dab coffee into the scratch using a cotton swab until the desired colour is achieved, waiting a few hours between applications.

15. Treat under eye circles:Coffee grounds contain caffeine and antioxidants. When applied to the skin, they can help prevent aging and reduce the appearance of dark under-eye circles and puffiness. Simply add water or coconut oil to your coffee grounds to form a paste. Apply the mixture under your eyes and let it sit for about 10 minutes before rinsing. Repeat this process daily or as needed.

These are some of the many uses for coffee grounds.  As we think more and more about our environmental footprint, it makes perfect sense to use a coffee machine that produces coffee grounds which can be repurposed unlike espresso machines that use coffee pods which end up in landfills.  Make 2022 the year that you rethink how you can help the environment.  Read our blogfor some inspiration on coffee resolutions that may fit into your lifestyle. 

If you are looking for a coffee machine or require assistance with the one you have on hand, please be sure to contact us.  We are here to help you with all your coffee and espresso needs.