Capable Coffee Grounds: Uses Beyond the Morning Cuppa

From deodorizing shoes to scrubbing pans, coffee grounds are the unsung hero of household hacks.

Used coffee grounds can be turned into garden fertilizer, a DIY beauty treatment, or even a natural wood stain. Kinga Krzeminska/Getty Images

Coffee grounds can be used in your home, garden, and even beauty routine. Don’t throw those valuable remnants away.

According to DriveResearch, more than 2.5 billion cups of coffee are consumed around the world every day. That’s a lot of used grounds going into landfills!

One of the easiest ways to give the grounds a second life is to use them as an organic fertilizer or compost amendment. Their dark goodness also makes a great air freshener/deodorizer, pest repellent, scouring agent, sidewalk de-icer in winter, skin exfoliant, and much more.

If you’re feeling inspired by the end of this article, you may need to stop by a local Starbucks for a free 20-pound bag through their “Grounds for Your Garden” program (always call first to confirm availability).

Sweeter Smelling Life

Start by spreading out the coffee grounds on a baking sheet and allowing them to air dry for a day or two. Alternatively, they can be put in an oven and baked at 250 degrees F until dry. This is faster and will fill the home with coffee’s fragrant bouquet (aka java lover’s aromatherapy). Dried coffee grounds have a very long shelf life and can be stored until used.

Coffee grounds can eliminate bad odors in stale cabinets and old sneakers. Taras Grebinets/Shutterstock

Put them in a shallow dish or hanging sachet to absorb unpleasant odors or freshen stale air in kitchen and bathroom cabinets, in closets, or by a toilet or litter box. Change every 60 days or when needed.

When using them in the refrigerator, keep an eye out for mold. But don’t throw them out in that case either—moldy coffee grounds have their uses too, particularly in compost, vermicompost, and outdoor garden soil.

Hands and Foot Odors

Scrub hands with dried coffee grounds after handling onions or garlic to remove the noxious smell. For stinky gym shoes, place used coffee grounds in empty tea bags, sachets, or paper bags with tiny holes punched in them, and set them inside the shoes overnight.

Garbage Disposal Reset

Used coffee grounds can also be used to make garbage disposal cleaning tabs: 1 cup used coffee grounds, 3/4 cup Epsom salt, 1/2 cup baking soda, 3 tablespoons white vinegar.

Mix thoroughly and use a lemon baller or small scoop to form the cleaning balls. Allow to dry. When the disposal needs a refresh, simply toss in a cleaning tab.

Scrub-a-Dub-Dub

Coffee mug and teacup stains seem to be almost impossible to get rid of until one tries used coffee grounds. Place the grounds on a dark rag (as they’ll stain it) and scrub around the inside of the cup. The brown stains will disappear.

Coffee mug and teacup stains seem to be almost impossible to get rid of until one tries used coffee grounds. Krzysztof Dydynski/Getty Images

Use the same process to clean difficult pots and pans. They’ll also make short work of greasy plates and bowls. However, don’t wash the greasy grounds down the drain, as they may create a clog. In fact, coffee grounds in large amounts should never be washed down the drain.

Beauty Bonus: Skin

Used coffee grounds have their place outside the kitchen as well. Mix 1/2 cup coffee grounds with 1/4 cup coconut oil (chosen for its superior moisturizing properties) for a DIY facial scrub. Use immediately, or store them in a jar with an airtight lid for up to three weeks.

To amp up the exfoliating power, add 1/2 cup brown or white sugar to the above recipe. Both recipes should be safe for the body and face, but those with allergies or sensitive or dry skin should test it on a small spot first.

Coffee grounds mixed with coconut oil and sugar becomes an exfoliating facial scrub. Suteren Studio/Shutterstock

Shiny, Healthy Hair

Scrubbing the scalp with used coffee grounds will help remove built-up residue from hair care products. Some claim it will also stimulate hair growth. Be sure to test it in a small spot first if you have light or color-treated hair.

Alternatively, use a weekly coffee grounds rinse. Steep used coffee grounds for 20 minutes and spray onto freshly washed and conditioned hair. Leave on for 20 minutes, then rinse. Can be used weekly.

You can also add some coffee grounds to a conditioner to make a hair mask. Leave on for 20 minutes, then rinse.

Coffee grounds can be part of a relaxing hair care routine. Monstera Production/Pexels

Wood Care

Rubbing damp (not yet dried) coffee grounds on old, lightly scratched woodwork or wood furniture can help hide the scratches quickly and easily. Buff off any excess with a dry section of the rag. Use a dark rag, as the grounds will stain it.

Coffee grounds can also be used as a stain for unfinished wood. Mix one part grounds to two parts water, and bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat and simmer for two to three hours. Remove from the heat and let it steep overnight, then strain with a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth. Use mild roast for a lighter color and dark roast for a more robust (pun intended) finish.

Water can be added after straining to lighten the color if it’s too dark. For darker results, add an additional coat. Remember that the stain will darken as it sets, so wait 20 minutes before adding a second coat.

Rubbing damp (not yet dried) coffee grounds on old, lightly scratched woodwork or wood furniture can help hide the scratches quickly and easily. aerogondo2/Shutterstock

De-Icer

Got more coffee grounds than can be used on the projects already mentioned? Save them up for winter—they’ll help melt the ice. Just toss out a generous amount and they will act as gripping agents on frozen concrete. But remember to take off your shoes and boots, or wipe them off vigorously, before stepping inside.