10 Ways To Reuse Coffee Grounds

10 Ways To Reuse Coffee Grounds

Coffee is a great drink, who doesn’t love coffee? But, have you ever thought about using the leftover coffee grounds for other purposes? Our top 10 ways to reuse coffee grounds range from body scrubs to composting in your back garden. If you love brewing coffee from home, you probably have lots of grounds you throw away each day. Coffee grounds are great exfoliators, they fertilize the soil and repel annoying pests. It’s safe to consume baked goods while watching your cholesterol.

Coffee Body Scrub

Did you know coffee is a natural exfoliant? It is a great addition to body scrubs or face creams to get rid of dead skin cells. One of my favorite exfoliating scrubs has coffee in it.  

Recipe:

1 Cup Coffee Grounds

¼ C. Coconut Oil

⅛ C. Course Sea Salt

Mason Jar with Lid

Essential Oils (optional)

Dry Brush (optional)

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in a mason jar

Shake until fully incorporated

Gently Rub on Skin

Leave on for 1 minute

Rinse off*

*Make sure to let the hot water run extra long, to prevent drains from stopping up!

Compost

Adding your leftover coffee grounds to your garden is a nutrient-dense treat for your soil. You can even add them to your compost bin. Over time, microorganisms will turn your grounds into super-rich and nutritious soil for your garden. 

Plant Fertilizer

Blueberries, lilies of the valley, carrots, and radishes are acid-loving plants. Putting coffee grounds on the roots of these plants will help them flourish. Place the grounds at the base of the soil. These grounds are also great for earthworms and warding off slugs and. Check to see if you have any plants that do not thrive with acid-rich soil, this could cause them to stop growing. 

Pest Repellant

If you are growing lettuce, spinach, or strawberries, adding coffee grounds to your soil will help ward off slugs. They can be pests in the garden. The smell of coffee grounds will also ward off cats and rabbits. 

Cellulite Smoother

Did you know the caffeine in coffee helps dilate your blood cells and tightens your skin? Using coffee grounds on your cellulite areas helps to give the appearance of smoother skin. This exfoliates the skin and reduces tissue edema and gives a boost to the activated cells that produce collagen. 

Tint Clothes & Fabrics

Wanting a classic tint to old cotton clothes or fabrics? A great, cheap way to give a sepia look to any white fabric is to soak it in coffee grounds for at least an hour. First, you need to put a shirt in a potto add some water so the entire shirt is covered, then add the coffee grounds so the water becomes opaque. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it sit for 30 minutes. Check it and if it is not dark enough, let it sit another 30 minutes. Once the shirt is to your liking, ring it out and wash it on a low gentle cycle inside out, and lightly dry. 

Hair & Scalp Moisturizer

Just like coffee grounds being an exfoliant on your skin, it also is great for your hair and scalp. As you jump in the shower next time, take some coffee grounds with you. Start at your scalp and rub the grounds at the base of your scalp to remove dead skin cells and product build-up to stimulate growth.

Natural Deodorizer

An easy deodorizer for your fridge, bathroom, or kitchen. Start collecting all your old coffee grounds and place in a mason jar with the lid on, poke holes at the top so you can smell the grounds. This jar can be placed anywhere there is an odor to help naturally deodorize the air. 

Clean Grease & Grime

Did you know the caffeine in coffee promotes antibacterial properties? This is great for cleaning. Try coffee grounds the next time you need to clean or scrub a dirty pan. Don’t reach for the toxic chemicals, turn to a more natural alternative like coffee grounds. 

Incorporate into Baked Goods

Who doesn’t love coffee flavoring in their chocolate chip cookies or brownies? Coffee goes hand in hand with chocolate. The next time you are making a yummy dessert to share with others, add some ground up coffee grounds to any dessert. Coffee goes well with butterscotch, vanilla, and mint. My favorite recipe to use coffee grounds is chocolate cake. This one is yummy because you can even add the coffee to the frosting or filling. 

Ingredients:

5 Oz Grass-fed Butter

10 Oz Lilly’s Dark Chocolate Chips

1 C Pyure

6 Large Eggs

¼ C Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

2 Tbps Fine Ground Coffee Grounds

1 Tbsp Vanilla Extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 Degrees
2. Grease 8-inch pan with butter
3. Set up a double boiler, place a heatproof bowl onto a saucepan filled with 1 inch of water. Make sure the bowl is not touching the water, you want it suspending. 
4. Add the butter and the chocolate to the bowl, stir until melted and smooth.
5. Add the Pyure and coffee grounds to the mixture, stir until smooth and fully incorporated
6. Remove the bowl from the heat and let cool for a few minutes
7. Add eggs, cocoa powder and vanilla, blend with mixer on medium until smooth
8. Pour the batter into a pan and bake for 45 minutes
9. Cook thoroughly, it’s ok if it is still fudgy in the middle
10. Cool on a rack, add icing and enjoy!

While a freshly brewed cup of coffee is such a wonderful smell first thing in the morning. Coffee is also amazing for your body, soul, and nature. Our 10 ways to reuse coffee grounds are a great start for your health and wellness journey. For those sensitive to coffee or watching your cholesterol, carefully adding coffee grounds to your diet. Unfiltered coffee can increase cholesterol levels, so you want to filter your coffee if using it for marinades or tenderizing meats. It is safe to use, just be mindful when adding it to your next meal.