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10 clever ways to recycle your used coffee grounds

If you’re throwing away your used coffee grounds after your delicious cup of caffeine goodness, then you might want to reconsider.

Coffee lovers will be thrilled to know that there are an array of different and innovative uses for the used grounds that can benefit you in everything from the kitchen to your beauty routine.

Don’t waste a drop of your coffee with these useful and inexpensive recycling ideas.

  1. In the garden

We’re not the only ones addicted to coffee, flowering plants like hydrangeas actually change colour when used grounds are added to their soil. This will reduce the pH levels of the earth and give a brighter blue bloom to enjoy.

  1. Compost help

The grounds can also give your compost bin a boost, as it adds nitrogen, which will help with decomposition.

  1. Keeping our feline friends away

If you have an uninvited guest in the form of the neighbor’s cat then sprinkle the grounds around the edge of your garden along with some orange peel. Cats are apparently not the biggest fans of coffee – strange creatures!

  1. Clean Away

Coffee might just be the secret cleaning agent you need to get your home sparkling. A few grounds on a cloth can help scrape dirty pans and surfaces clean. Even the most caked-on stains are no match for the coffee grounds. Avoid ceramics though, or anything that could be stained by the grounds.

They are also handy for cleaning garlic off your hands after chopping the pungent root as the grounds absorb the odor. Same goes for onions.

  1. Odor removal

You know the odor that hits you when you open the fridge or freezer? Well, coffee can help remove that as the grounds are excellent absorbers of smell and leave the area with a fresh, clean scent.

In fact, why leave it to just the fridge? Coffee grounds are easily made into air fresheners that you can use around the house, in your car or at the office.

  1. Tenderize meat

We all know coffee tastes amazing, so why not use it to season your meat? It’s a great tenderizer and adds a smoky flavour when used as a meat rub. If you’re not a meat fan, then the grounds can be added to cookies and coffee treats that are not just tasty, but give an energy boost too.

  1. Candles

Recycle your old candles by creating a whole new fragrant one.

You can make these easily at home as all you need is leftover wax, the grounds and a candle wax and you have a brand new accessory for your home or to give as a gift.

  1. Strip build up from your hair

Coffee doesn’t just taste good; it can help with the outside of the body as well. The abrasive texture of the grounds means they’re perfect for removing product build up and unwanted oils from your locks, leaving them feeling natural and fresh. Either use the grounds in the shower or add to your shampoo or conditioner.

  1. Remove dark circles from under your eyes

Coffee’s caffeine kick can work wonders for your skin too. Rubbing on the used grounds can help reduce puffiness and tighten the delicate skin around the eyes, meaning you’ll feel and look fresher and brighter in the mornings.

  1. Make a rejuvenating body scrub  

Just like with your hair, coffee grounds make great exfoliators for the skin, removing the dead layer and giving you a soft and refreshed feel. It can be added to any simple body scrub recipe or just use the grounds alone with warm water.

It can also be used to reduce the appearance of cellulite and is a great, inexpensive alternative to the many “cures” available. Simply rub into the problem areas twice a week and you should start to see a difference in no time.


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