8 Ways to Recycle Used Coffee Grounds

Most people wake up each morning looking forward to a great cup of joe. After brewing a fresh pot of java, they would throw out the grounds into the trash and get ready for work.  Often, they would toss out used coffee grounds without a second thought. They are unaware that they can still be used for a myriad of ways.

There are so many wonderful things you can do with spent coffee grounds. In fact, they provide an inexpensive way to complete a range of household tasks – from cleaning a dirty grill and getting rid of the smell of garlic to unblocking the sink. It can even be beneficial when it comes to beauty routines.

Finding a second life for your old coffee grounds will help reduce waste, save you money, and live a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle. Rather than throwing spent coffee grounds, we challenge you to try any of the ideas listed below to make the most out of your coffee beans.

Here are 8 unexpected ways to recycle used coffee grounds. After reading this blog post, you’ll never throw your coffee grounds again.

Exfoliate skin

Who would have thought those brown dregs from your favorite brew can be used in your beauty routine?

Exfoliating your skin is crucial for getting rid of dead skin cells. Simply scrub the crumbly goodness all over your body. It will slough away dry, flaky skin while working with your body’s natural renewal process to produce new skin cells. Do this regularly and you’ll have glowing, healthy looking skin you’ve always wanted. Plus, coffee beans contain caffeic acid, which triggers the production of collagen. Give your skin a buzz with used coffee grounds.

Fight cellulite

A lot of people have cellulite and want to get rid of it. It’s ugly and can lower your self-confidence. Because of this, a lot of people are willing to spend a fortune on over-the-counter products or cosmetic procedures in the hopes of getting rid of this problem.

The good news is that, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get rid of them. In fact, studies suggest that massaging coffee grounds into your skin can help reduce the appearance of cellulite. But don’t get your hopes up as coffee grounds can’t achieve this indefinitely. In fact, the effect can last for about a week. This is beneficial if you’re planning to go on vacation. Apply it on your legs to make it look less obvious.

Hand cleanser

Cooking with garlic and onion can leave a strong odor in your hands. Sometimes, even hand soaps aren’t effective in getting rid of the odor. If you find yourself in this situation, try using coffee grounds. They can act as a hand odor neutralizer. Just rub some coffee grounds on wet hands and then rinse with cool water afterwards. Not only will it help get rid of the smell, it will also help slough off the dead skin cells, leaving you with soft, smooth hands.

Clean the fireplace

Fireplaces are a wintertime staple. If you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace, you know how wonderful it feels to warm your toes in front of a roaring fire. However, you need to make sure that you clean your fireplace before winter arrives to reduce the risk of a house fire.

Some people put off cleaning their fireplace because of the mess it can create.  Cleaning out the ashes can be a tricky job. Coffee grounds can make the cleaning process easier. Sprinkle some coffee grounds onto the fireplace to minimize flyaways of leftover ashes.

Natural abrasive

Due to the rough texture of coffee grounds, they are effective in cleaning your kitchenware. Ditch the toxic abrasive cleaners and use coffee grounds instead to scour away grease and grime from your dishes, pots, and pans. You can use them to get rid of gunk in your tools and remove the build-up of grease in the grill. Just place some used grounds into a cleaning rug or sponge and use it to clean tough to wash tools and grills. For a quick abrasive cleaner, mix equal parts of baking soda and coffee grounds.

Get rid of foul odors

For coffee lovers, a cup of joe is one of life’s best aromas. But did you know that you can use spent coffee grounds to neutralize nasty odors in your home?

If you have some funky smells emanating from your freezer, simply place a bowl of coffee grounds in the freezer and leave them overnight. It will get rid of the smell of spoiled food. You can also use the grounds to eliminate normal household odors like cigarette smoke. Just leave out a bowl of used or fresh coffee beans on a side table. Not only will it eliminate odor, you’ll also get short bursts of coffee scent floating around the room.

Used coffee grounds for plants

Coffee grounds and gardening go together naturally. They are chok-full of nutrients that are beneficial for your plants. Instead of tossing them into the trash, you might want to throw them onto your compost pile. This will add nitrogen, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus level to your soil. Plus, it’s a great way to make use of something that would otherwise end up taking space in a landfill.

Even fresh grounds can be used in the garden. They are acidic and will reduce the level of the soil. Acid-loving plants like hydrangeas will give you bright blue flowers if you use fresh grounds as fertilizers.

Bug repellant

Coffee grounds make an excellent bug repellant in outdoor spaces. Banish slugs and snails by sprinkling used coffee grounds around the flower beds and on your patio. The gritty texture and aroma of coffee is enough to deter them to cross the ground. Make a barrier around plants that are susceptible to snails and slugs. They’ll stay away if the plants are sprinkled with java.