8 Clever Ways To Reuse Leftover Coffee Grounds

1. Make a body or face scrub

The gritty texture of coffee grounds can be a hassle when it comes to cleaning them up and disposing of them. However, that same texture can be beneficial for your skin. You can repurpose used coffee grounds as a key ingredient in a homemade exfoliating scrub for your body or face. There are various methods to create a coffee ground scrub, but a popular approach is to combine the coffee grounds with an equal amount of brown or granulated sugar, along with coconut oil or another skin-friendly oil like olive or grapeseed oil. Many recipes also recommend adding vanilla extract for a more delightful fragrance.

After mixing the ingredients, you can gently apply the scrub to your body or face (taking care to avoid your eyes) and then rinse it off. Besides exfoliating and hydrating your skin, your DIY scrub may offer an additional advantage. Some experts suggest that the caffeine in coffee grounds could help diminish the appearance of cellulite. Regardless of its effectiveness, a coffee ground body scrub is a natural and healthy way to care for your skin while also eliminating those annoying leftover grounds that would otherwise end up in the trash.

2. Get rid of bad smells in your house or car

For many, coffee is a delightful brew that provides a boost of energy. However, it turns out that our beloved drink possesses some other remarkable properties. Both fresh and used coffee grounds are excellent for eliminating unpleasant odors. This is due to the nitrogen and carbon naturally present in coffee grounds, which effectively neutralize foul smells. Whether you use whole beans, fresh grounds, or used ones, there are numerous ways to combat odors with coffee. For example, placing a bowl of used coffee grounds in your refrigerator can help absorb unwanted food odors.

Coffee grounds can also be effective in tackling unpleasant smells in your car. Proponents of this method recommend leaving coffee grounds in an open container, such as a can or bag, inside your car overnight, while keeping the doors and windows closed to help eliminate any unwanted odors.

3. Get odors off your hands and out of your shoes

The deodorizing qualities of coffee grounds can effectively eliminate unpleasant odors from your skin. A well-known trick involving used coffee grounds is to rub them on your hands after handling strong-smelling ingredients like garlic or onions. Lifestyle journalist Amy E. Goodman even recommends keeping a bowl of damp coffee grounds by your sink for this purpose.

Additionally, coffee grounds can help combat persistent body odor. Allow your used coffee grounds to dry, then place them in a breathable cloth pouch (pantyhose are a popular option) to absorb unwanted smells in areas such as your gym bag or shoes. You can also create sachets of dried coffee grounds to place in your drawers or closet, helping to eliminate musty odors and keep your clothes smelling fresh.

4. Use them in your garden

If you have a garden, you might have heard that adding coffee grounds to the soil is beneficial. However, a recent study from Oregon State University revealed that many of the claimed advantages, such as enhancing soil nutrition, may not be accurate. Nonetheless, the study did confirm some benefits. Notably, incorporating coffee grounds into your garden soil can enhance its structure and improve drainage. Additionally, coffee grounds attract worms, which, while some may find unappealing, are actually beneficial for gardeners. They help aerate and rejuvenate the soil.

When it comes to enriching your garden's soil or drawing in worms, moderation is key. Excessive amounts of coffee grounds can negatively impact plant growth. Gardening website Stutzmans cautions that if you detect ammonia or vinegar-like smells, it indicates that the worms in your garden are struggling due to an overabundance of coffee grounds. Furthermore, pet owners should be mindful that coffee grounds can be harmful to dogs.

Before you start spreading or burying coffee grounds in your garden, take the time to assess where they are needed and conduct some research to determine the appropriate amount for optimal results. For example, the study from Oregon State University suggests using half an inch of coffee grounds, buried about four inches deep in the soil, to enhance its quality.

5. Make scented candles

If you've ever wished your home could carry the delightful aroma of freshly brewed coffee even when you're not making a pot, we have some exciting news: those used coffee grounds that provided your morning brew can be transformed into a fragrant candle. While candle making can be a bit challenging, it’s a fascinating hobby that yields a beautifully scented reward. You'll find numerous websites offering step-by-step instructions on how to create a candle using leftover coffee grounds. A popular tip among these sources is to repurpose an old coffee mug as the candle holder.

Another common suggestion is to use store-bought wax, but if you prefer to upcycle, we completely understand! You'll be pleased to learn that, in addition to your used coffee grounds and mug, some sources, like the Eldorado Coffee Roasters blog, recommend using wax from old, nearly depleted candles to craft your new coffee-scented creation. No matter how you choose to do it, making a coffee-scented candle is a fantastic way to repurpose your old coffee grounds, unleash your creativity, and even create a thoughtful and budget-friendly gift for the coffee enthusiasts in your life.

6. Compost them

Rather than adding coffee grounds directly to your garden, many experts recommend incorporating them into your compost instead. Compost is a mulch composed of decomposed organic materials, such as leftover food, and this can include used coffee grounds. In fact, coffee grounds are a fantastic addition to compost, as the nitrogen they contain aids in the breakdown of other compost components. If you've kept your damp coffee grounds for a while and they've developed mold, that's actually beneficial, as the mold can further enhance the composting process.

However, despite the benefits of using coffee grounds in compost, a study from Oregon State University cautions that, similar to adding them to garden soil, moderation is key. The research indicates that coffee grounds should not exceed 20% of your compost mixture, as too much can harm your plants.

7. Make sustainable fabric dye

You shouldn't brew a new pot of coffee using previously used coffee grounds, but you can repurpose them for dyeing fabrics. There are numerous step-by-step tutorials available online for this process. Essentially, it involves washing a piece of clothing made from natural fibers, such as cotton or linen, which are suitable for natural dyes. After washing, while the fabric is still damp, immerse it in a pot filled with hot coffee. After soaking for an extended period, rinse the garment with cold water and allow it to dry.

However, there are a few important points to consider when dyeing clothes with coffee. Firstly, the resulting color will not be very dark. One Quora user notes that it's more accurate to view this dye as a tint rather than a deep hue. This method is often employed by costume designers to impart a sepia tone, giving garments an aged appearance. Therefore, think of coffee dyeing as a way to subtly enhance or modify the color of your clothing rather than completely transform it. Additionally, keep in mind that coffee dye may fade or even wash out over time. To prolong its longevity, wash your coffee-dyed items in cold water with a mild detergent. The Driftaway Coffee blog cautions that the dye may bleed in the wash, so avoid laundering your dyed clothes with items that could be stained.

8. Bake or cook with them

While used coffee grounds may not brew a great second cup, they can still add flavor to your meals and snacks. There are numerous recipes available—primarily sweet, but some savory as well—that incorporate used coffee grounds. In baking, not only can you create a variety of coffee-flavored goodies with them, but they can also enhance other flavors, such as chocolate. The pairing is so delightful that you might even consider mixing cocoa powder into your coffee. Baked items like cookies (including those enjoyed by Cookie Monster), cakes, and muffins can all benefit from the addition of coffee grounds. You can even mix them into ice cream or granola.

If sweet treats aren't your preference, hold off on discarding your used coffee grounds; they can also shine in savory dishes. For example, many recipes for meat rubs feature coffee grounds as an ingredient.

While there are some common ideas for using coffee grounds, many chefs have taken a more inventive approach. For instance, the website Wicked Healthy offers a recipe for carrots coated in a spicy rub made with coffee grounds and chili peppers. So whether you choose a classic recipe or experiment with new flavor combinations, have fun with your used coffee grounds!