Creative Uses for Coffee Grounds

14 April 2022

For many of us, the day doesn’t start until we have finished that first cup of Joe. Depending on how you brew the beverage, you can be left with grounds. Yes, you can add them to your compost pile, but there can be other uses.

Add them directly into your garden. Coffee grounds contain nitrogen, calcium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium and chromium. They can also help absorb any heavy metals that may be living in your soil. The grounds will also attract worms, which will aid in aerating the soil and allowing nutrients to be better absorbed by the plants.

Caffeine and diterpenes (a compound found in some marine and terrestrial organisms) can be toxic to some insects and have been found to repel mosquitos, fruit flies, and beetles. Snails and slugs don’t like to crawl over them, so if you have such a problem, you now have a possible solution.

Fleas are another insect that don’t like coffee. You can try rubbing in coffee grounds after your pooch’s usual bath and then rinse the grounds away. This may not be as effective as commercially produced products. Also, the grounds can be toxic if your canine eats them, so you need to be sure they are completely off of his or her skin and fur.

Coffee grounds can deodorize. So, they can be used as a quick fix if something has gone bad in the refrigerator or as a hand scrub after working with onions or garlic. They can also be used on your sink, on cookware, and your outdoor grill. Just use caution on the surface. If the area is porous, the coffee tannins will stain the area.

Coffee Grounds to remove dead skin

Cosmetically they can help remove dirt and dead skin cells. Mix the grounds with some water or coconut oil for a body scrub or a bit of honey to exfoliate your lips. You can use that same coffee grounds and coconut oil to scrub areas that have cellulite deposits to decrease their appearance. Your hair can accumulate a build up of residue from shampoo and conditioners. Use a handful of grounds and massage them into the scalp and hair for just a few minutes, rinse, and shampoo as usual. Some studies show that this stimulates hair growth as well.

As previously mentioned, the grounds can leave a stain. You can use this to your advantage to color cotton, rayon, linen, and paper to a sepia tone or to imitate aging or vintage. Just be careful of drips on your clothes or surrounding area. Be sure to give the fabric a wash in cold water and mild detergent before using.

If you have cleaned a wood-burning fireplace, you know that the ashes have a tendency to blow around. If you scatter some old coffee grounds over the ashes first, the extra weight will help with the mess.

Some cuts of meat have a lot of connective tissue that does not break down easily leaving your finished roast tough to chew. The best ways to tenderize meat is with salt, enzymes, and acids. Since coffee has natural acids and enzymes, it makes a perfect addition to your dry rub. You can also rehydrate the grounds and, after cooled, use the liquid as a marinade.

Finger Lakes Events

See Your Business Here!

For more information on our listings, advertising, coupons, and mailers, please contact us today!