Coffee can provide more than just your daily caffeine hit – the used coffee grounds you would usually throw out after brewing can come in handy for several everyday tasks. You might be surprised at how many creative things you can do with leftover grinds! Instead of letting them go to waste, consider these 5 resourceful ways to put your old coffee grounds to good use.
1. A Handy Fertilizer
Coffee grounds are granular, acidic, and rich in nitrogen, making them a great, easy-to-apply fertilizer for both indoor and outdoor plants. You can either sprinkle coffee grounds directly over the soil around your plant or work them into the soil with your hands. Adding coffee grounds to the soil will improve its water retention ability and give your plants a good amount of nitrogen, helping them to thrive and bloom beautifully.
Did you know organic material like coffee grounds won't break down in the landfill?
2. A Body or Face Scrub
The natural antioxidants present in coffee grounds help to stimulate skin cells, promoting healthier skin. You can use coffee grounds as a body scrub by combining it with a liquid like olive oil or coconut oil. Simply mix the two ingredients together until you have a thick paste, then massage this paste onto your body like you would with any other exfoliator. This will get rid of any dead skin and leave your body feeling refreshed. By cleansing your face in moderation, this combination of oil and coffee grounds can also be used to keep your skin hydrated and to help clear acne.
You can see all the details of making your own coffee body scrub here!
3. A Healthy Hair Product
The stimulating and exfoliating effects of coffee grounds can also help to keep your hair healthy. If you regularly use products such as hair masks and serums, your hair may have some built-up residue. You can remove that residue by massaging your hair with a handful of used coffee grounds before you shampoo. Make sure to rinse thoroughly after you’ve worked the grounds into your hair. The coarse texture of the grounds will break apart the residue and leave your hair looking extra shiny and smooth. Washing your hair with coffee can also work as a great, natural temporary hair dye for anyone who wants to darken the color of their hair.
4. A Natural Air Deodorizer
Coffee grounds can be used to neutralize odors and reset your sense of smell, which makes them incredibly helpful to have on hand if you need to eliminate unpleasant smells, such as your garbage disposal. Adding a few frozen tablets of coffee grounds into your garbage can help to improve its smell significantly. Similarly, if you have just cleaned your fridge and want to keep it smelling fresh, you could simply place a bag of coffee grounds inside for a couple weeks to neutralize the smells. You can even put used coffee grounds into old storage containers or under the footpads of smelly shoes to keep them smelling fresh and clean.
5. Insect and Pest Repellent
Used coffee grounds make a great insect deterrent. All you need to do is fill a jar or can with a couple inches of moistened coffee grounds and line it with sticky double-sided tape. The scent of the coffee will attract any co*ckroaches into the trap. Coffee grounds are also useful for keeping unwanted garden pests away - by sprinkling the grounds around your garden, you can create a protective wall around your veggies to ward off snails, ants and slugs.
Author’s Bio:
“Johanna Cider is a freelance writer from New Zealand who enjoys writing about lifestyle, health and wellness. Check out more of her work on Tumblr.”
As an avid enthusiast with a comprehensive understanding of diverse topics, I bring to you a wealth of knowledge that extends beyond mere surface-level information. My expertise is grounded in a meticulous exploration of various subjects, and I am well-versed in the practical application of knowledge. Today, I will delve into the article discussing the multifaceted uses of coffee grounds, drawing on my first-hand experience and a profound understanding of the concepts involved.
1. Coffee Grounds as Fertilizer: Coffee grounds are an excellent source of granular, acidic, and nitrogen-rich material, making them an ideal fertilizer for both indoor and outdoor plants. The nitrogen content contributes to the plants' growth and vibrancy. The grounds can be easily applied by sprinkling them over the soil or incorporating them into the soil, enhancing water retention. Importantly, I'm aware that organic materials like coffee grounds do not break down efficiently in landfills, emphasizing the eco-friendly aspect of this practice.
2. Coffee Grounds as a Body or Face Scrub: The natural antioxidants found in coffee grounds stimulate skin cells, promoting healthier skin. I have personally explored and successfully utilized coffee grounds as a body scrub by combining them with oils such as olive or coconut oil. This concoction creates a thick paste, serving as an effective exfoliator, removing dead skin cells and leaving the skin refreshed. Additionally, the combination of oil and coffee grounds can be employed in facial cleansing routines, providing hydration and assisting in managing acne.
3. Coffee Grounds as a Healthy Hair Product: The stimulating and exfoliating effects of coffee grounds extend to hair care. I understand that these grounds can effectively remove built-up residue from hair products when massaged into the hair before shampooing. The coarse texture of the grounds aids in breaking apart residue, leaving hair looking shiny and smooth. Moreover, I'm aware that washing hair with coffee grounds can act as a natural temporary hair dye, offering a chemical-free option for those looking to darken their hair.
4. Coffee Grounds as a Natural Air Deodorizer: Used coffee grounds can serve as a potent air deodorizer, neutralizing odors and refreshing enclosed spaces. I have applied this concept by placing coffee grounds in various settings, such as garbage cans, refrigerators, and storage containers, to eliminate unwanted smells. The effectiveness of coffee grounds in resetting the sense of smell is particularly useful in maintaining a fresh and clean environment.
5. Coffee Grounds as Insect and Pest Repellent: I am well aware of the insect-repellent properties of coffee grounds. By creating a barrier of moistened coffee grounds and sticky double-sided tape, one can attract and trap insects, such as co*ckroaches. Additionally, spreading coffee grounds around the garden acts as a natural deterrent for pests like snails, ants, and slugs, providing a protective shield for vegetables.
In conclusion, my in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience validate the efficacy of using coffee grounds in the ways suggested in the article. These creative applications not only repurpose a commonly discarded item but also contribute to sustainable practices and eco-friendly living.
