COFFEE GROUNDS: AMAZING USES THAT DON’T INVOLVE DRINKING

 

A reader question: “What can I do with used coffee grounds?”

I can’t imagine starting my day without coffee! In fact, I’m pretty sure you don’t want to be around me until I’ve at least had my first pot. My name is Lisa and I’m a coffee-holic.

Yes, I take my coffee drinking seriously! And apparently I’m not the only one. It seems that more than half the population drinks coffee. Maybe not in the quantities that I do. But hey, we can’t all have that claim to fame!

So when this question was posed, it dawned on me the amount of grounds that potentially get tossed out on a daily basis.

What a waste! Coffee grounds can be used for more than just a good cuppa. From cleaning to gardening to personal care, used grounds can live a productive second life.

What’s so special about used coffee grounds?

Let me count the ways! Coffee grounds contain minerals like nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorous, just to name a few. These are the same minerals that are found in garden fertilizer. So obviously, coffee grounds would make a great addition to any garden.

But that’s not all! Coffee grounds have antibacterial and antiviral properties which make them a good option for scrubbing just about anything in the kitchen.

Finally, coffee grounds also contain antioxidants. So using them in personal care products would definitely benefit your skin.

 

 

 

How do you prepare and store used coffee grounds?

It’s easy! Simply spread them out on a baking sheet to dry. You can put the baking sheet outside in full sun or place it in the oven on the lowest setting. I like to place my used grounds in a 200 degree oven and set a timer for 10 minutes. When the timer goes off, so does the oven. But I’ll leave the tray in the oven until it’s completely cooled. If you dry your grounds daily and in small batches, it takes no time at all to get them completely dry.

And that is the goal before you can store them. If they’re not completely dry, you risk mold taking over. Once they’re completely dry, store them in an air-tight container like…I don’t know…a coffee can, maybe. Used grounds can be stored in the fridge or freezer for up to two years. Just make sure you label the container. There’s nothing worse than anticipating that first morning cup only to realize it’s more like a weak tea. Total buzz kill.

 

When should coffee grounds not be used?

The web is full of information on how great coffee grounds are at cleaning a kitchen drain. In fact, I came across a couple of websites that showed how to make garbage disposal “bombs” using coffee grounds. However, one reader suggested that coffee grounds could become attached to grease and other food particles in the drain and create a bigger issue than what you started with. I don’t have a garbage disposal and I use vinegar and baking soda to clear clogs. So use your best judgement.

Also, coffee grounds and septic systems don’t play so nice with one another. You’ll need to keep that in mind if you use coffee grounds in any personal care products.

It should go without being said but I’ll say it anyway….don’t use grounds that are discolored, have a musty odor or have obvious mold. You don’t want to transfer that gunk to either your garden or your skin.  Ewwww!

For Gardens and Plants:

– Coffee grounds can help absorb some of the heavy metals that contaminate your soil. Research also indicates that having a compost pile with 20-25% coffee grounds is better for your garden and also cuts down on greenhouse gases.

–  Earth worms love it! Since worms play an important role in the garden, it’s to your advantage to add coffee grounds to the soil. Additionally, if you use night crawlers for fishing, you should keep them in a mixture of soil and grounds. They’ll be happy wigglers!

– Coffee grounds can be toxic to some insects which also makes it a good pest deterrent. Mosquitos, beetles and fruit flies don’t like the aroma. And slugs and snails won’t crawl through them.

– Most of the acid in coffee grounds has been removed with that first brew. But there’s still enough left that acid-loving plants like blueberries and roses would benefit from the nutrients left over. Simply sprinkle a handful of grounds around the base of the plants and work into the soil

–  Speaking of acid, did you know you can change the color of hydrangea blooms by applying coffee grounds to the soil? Sprinkle a generous amount of used grounds around the base of the hydrangea plant and work it into the soil. Soon, you’ll have pretty blue blooms!

– Coffee grounds can help speed up the growth process of some root crops. Mix grounds into the soil before planting vegetables like carrots or beets. The grounds will give the crops a boost of nutrients and may also increase the size of the harvest.

– Adding used coffee grounds to indoor plants acts as a slow-release fertilizer. Plus, cats don’t much care for the smell of coffee and will leave the plants alone.

– I haven’t tried this yet, but numerous resources claim that you can grow mushrooms in a mixture of coffee grounds and sawdust. If you’ve tried this, I’d love to know how it worked for you!

For The Home:

– If you enjoy making your own candles, try adding used coffee grounds. As the wax melts, it warms the grounds and releases a pleasing aroma.

– Add used coffee grounds to a small container and place in the back of your fridge. The grounds will absorb any bad odors. Just make sure you don’t put it next to food items that also absorb odors…like cheese. I’ve never tried coffee-flavored cheese but it sounds interesting!

– Remove scratches from wood furniture with a paste of coffee grounds and olive oil. Add 1 tbsp of grounds and 1 tsp of olive oil together and apply to scratches with a Q-tip. Let sit for a minute then buff with a soft cloth. You may need to repeat the process in order to match the color of the wood.

– The acid in coffee grounds is pretty well spent after that first brew. But what is left can be an effective meat tenderizer! Add it to marinades or use in a dry rub.

– Spread used coffee grounds in the fireplace prior to cleaning it out. The grounds help weigh down the wood ash and cuts down on the dust cloud spreading onto your clothes or around the room. And you certainly don’t want to be breathing that stuff in!

– Because coffee grounds have antiviral and antibacterial properties, they’re safe to use for scrubbing down messy counters, cooktops, microwaves and sinks…without scratching. They’re also good for scrubbing out hard-to-clean pots and pans, grill and oven racks.

– Use coffee grounds as a natural dye. Soak some used grounds in water and pour the water onto your fabric, yarn or whatever you wish to dye. This also works for giving paper and cellophane an aged look. If you have brown towels that have faded, spruce them up with some weak coffee!

– Sprinkle grounds around cracks, crevices and door jambs to prevent insects from entering your home. It’s also rumored that coffee grounds will work on ant hills too.

– Keep a container of used grounds near your sink. They work great at helping to remove onion or garlic odor from your hands.

– Coffee grounds are great at getting rid of fleas on the family pet. After shampooing and rinsing, rub Fido down with a handful of grounds and rinse thoroughly. As a bonus, his coat will be nice and soft! As a reminder about grounds and septic systems, bathing Fido should probably be done outside. Plus, you don’t want those fleas jumping ship only to land somewhere else inside your home. Since cats don’t like the smell of coffee, this most likely will not work on them.

For Personal Care:

– Since coffee can be used as a dye, it can also help darken hair that is already brown. I found mixed reviews on whether it actually worked on gray hair but there’s no harm in giving it a try. As for blondes, don’t even waste your time!

– In addition to darkening hair, coffee grounds are great as a dry shampoo or as a follow up to regular shampoo. The grounds help exfoliate the scalp and eliminates product build-up on hair. Again, if you live on a septic system, go easy on the grounds.

– Used grounds can be repurposed as skin exfoliators. Make a paste of grounds and honey or coconut oil and apply to face or body to slough off dead skin cells. Since coffee grounds contain antioxidants, this can also help to prevent or repair damage caused from the sun.

– Speaking of scrubs, you can use it on your lips too!

– It should be no surprise that most commercial cellulite products list coffee as a main ingredient. But why waste money on commercial products that also contain chemicals that can be harmful? Make your own cellulite scrub by combining a quarter cup of grounds with a tablespoon of olive oil. Apply to cellulite using a gentle scrubbing motion for at least 10 minutes. Repeat twice a week to reduce the appearance of cellulite.

– The under-eye area is extremely delicate and has minimal fatty tissue. Therefore, it’s usually the first place to show signs of aging. Since coffee grounds contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, they can help reduce dark circles and increase circulation, which can help minimize the signs of aging. Make a paste with grounds and water or coconut oil and gently apply to the eye area. Don’t scrub! Let it rest for about 10 minutes and rinse with warm water. Repeat daily as needed.

Final thoughts…

If you’re not a coffee drinker but are interested in trying some of these ideas, ask friends or family for their used grounds. You could also ask at your favorite coffee shop or restaurant if you could take some off their hands. I understand Starbucks has a “grounds for garden” program where they bag up coffee grounds and make them available for anyone who wants them. Hey, it never hurts to ask! And remember…if everyone put their used coffee grounds to good use, so much less would end up in  landfills!

What is your favorite tip for repurposing coffee grounds? I’d love to hear from you so leave a comment below! And if you know someone who drinks a lot of coffee, feel free to share this post with them!

Until next time,

lisa

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