I know, I know… I’m going to talk about coffee again. We like coffee around here. My husband has to drink decaf while I prefer to drink regular. It’s our ‘go-to’ beverage of choice other than water so we always have it on hand. For years, I just tossed the grounds before doing some research and discovering there are several things they’re good for. I started saving the grounds and then we bought a Keurig machine. At times, I attempted to save the grounds from the purchased K-cups. I won’t lie, it was a pain and I often opted to just tossing the whole thing. We later went to the reusable K-cups which made saving grounds a bit more easier.
When our Keurig died one day, rather than spending the money on a new one, we went the French Press route. I haven’t looked back since. I love our French Press. Not only does it produce wonderful coffee, but getting to the grounds is super easy.
Here are 7 reason you might want to start reusing coffee grounds:
- Removing Kitchen Odors: Did you know that instead of buying more baking soda, you can place a bowl of used coffee grounds in the refrigerator and freezer to help eliminate smells? You can also pour a cup of grounds mixed with boiling water down the drain to remove sink odors.
- Clean up: If you have stain-resistant surfaces, that are greasy, coffee grounds can work as a scrub (just remember, the surface needs to be stain-resistant since coffee does stain).
- Pest Control: I have not tried this yet but supposedly you can sprinkle grounds around plants to help rid pests like ants, snails and slugs.
- Cover Scratches: Because coffee can stain, add some grounds to some hot water and use a Q-tip to apply to scratched furniture.
- Protect Random Litter Boxes: This doesn’t work all the time but try spreading coffee grounds around your garden and flower bed areas to prevent neighborhood cats from using them as a litter box.
- Composting: Coffee grounds can help to balance the pH levels as well as feed the worms in your compost.
- Use As Mulch: Apply coffee grounds around acid-loving plants like azaleas and rhododendrons.
**NOTE** If you are not a coffee drinker, but still want the benefit of used grounds for around your home and garden, head to a local coffee shop. The picture above is one I snapped at my local Starbucks. They have a spot where they place large bags of used grounds for patrons to take home. Your store might have limits or they may allow you to take what you need. Just ask.
Do you know of any other ways to reuse coffee grounds? Feel free to share them and I’d love to add them to the list!
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