Clever Ways to Reuse Coffee Grounds

The adage, "waste not, want not" certainly applies to versatile spent coffee grounds. Monthira/Shutterstock

If you drink morning coffee, then it’s likely you throw away used coffee grounds every day. If you don’t, chances are there’s a coffee shop nearby where you can get some; just stop by and see if they give them away. Here are some ideas for reusing them.

Repel Insects and Fleas

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, coffee grounds are an effective way to keep insects away. The smoke from burned, used coffee grounds is especially effective at sending mosquitoes away because they’re repelled by the scent, which to us is quite subtle. Keep this tip in mind when planning your next backyard barbecue.

Start with completely dry used coffee grounds. Place the grounds on a fire-safe surface and light them with a lighter around the edges. Put a few fresh basil leaves into each container (optional). Set the containers upwind to get the scent flowing.

In the Garden

Coffee grounds contain caffeine and diterpenes that can be quite harmful to some types of bugs, making them an excellent way to keep pests away from your plants. Sprinkle them around your yard to discourage crawling creatures.