Drink The Coffee, Use The Grounds

I enjoy coffee. I generally put the grounds into my composter where they will add nutrients to the compost, or I dig them directly into my garden soil for the same purpose. However, there are numerous other ways to use your spent coffee grounds.

• • If you vermicompost, use some of the grounds in your worm bins. Worms such as white worms and red wigglers seem to relish them and quickly turn them into worm castings.

• • Like tea, coffee makes a natural dye for fabric. Unless the color is made permanent with a fixative, some will wash out in the laundry so use caution when washing a coffee-dyed fabric along with other fabrics.

• • Rub a small amount of grounds on meats, especially prior to grilling, to flavor and tenderize the meat.

• • Use grounds according to taste to give a hint of coffee flavor to a recipe.

• • Place a bowl of freshly dried coffee grounds inside the refrigerator and leave it there for a few days to help deodorize the fridge. Important: be sure the grounds have been dried well in order to avoid growing mold on them.

• • Rid your hands of smells by rubbing them with damp grounds and rinsing with warm water.

• • You can use grounds when cleaning out a fireplace. Sprinkle the damp grounds over the ashes in the fireplace, let sit for about 20 minutes, then sweep or scoop out. The coffee grounds will cling to the ashes and prevent the dust from scattering.

• • Coffee grounds will exfoliate the skin. Make a scrub with a tablespoon of grounds and a tablespoon of olive oil. You can add a drop or two of fragrance/essential oil, if desired. Use on your face, neck, decotee area, and even arms and legs. Rub gently and rinse off with warm water.

• • Sprinkle dry coffee grounds in areas where ants are a problem. They will act as a repellent without the use of harmful chemicals.

• • Most cats do not like the smell of coffee. Use grounds as a harmless cat repellent, especially in the garden.

• • Damp coffee grounds can be used as a mildly abrasive cleaner for cleaning hard surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom. Be certain to test the surface for colorfastness before cleaning with the grounds.

• • Fill old pantyhose with used coffee grounds to make your own eco-friendly air freshener. Knot the hose to contain the grounds and cut above and below the knots. This idea repurposes two items at the same time.

• • Use cooled coffee grounds to cover scratches on wood. Make a paste with a little water, rub on the scratch, wait a few minutes and wipe off. Repeat, if necessary.

The Author:

C Tee Menser