Calling all coffee lovers! Did you know that coffee offers far more than just an early morning caffeine hit? Those brewed and used coffee grounds shouldn’t be destined for the bin. Instead, they can be re-imagined, reused and reloved in anything from body and hair scrubs to giving your prized indoor plants a second chance at life (don’t worry, we’re not judging!)
We’ve come up with 6 creative and sustainable ways to use those beloved used coffee grounds around the home.
Remember to dry out your coffee grounds before re-use and avoid using any grounds that have come into contact with dairy products – we’re only talking about those freshly brewed grounds here!
Exfoliate
Coffee grounds make for a great exfoliator. The small granules work to scrub away dead skin cells, leaving your skin feeling clean and smooth.
Regularly exfoliating the skin could help to reduce the appearance of cellulite by stimulating circulation in the scrubbed area and encouraging skin regeneration by removing the upper layer of dead skin cells. Scrubbing regularly will leave your skin feeling soft and Insta-worthy in just a few weeks.
Ever exfoliated your hair? Exfoliating the scalp helps to remove dandruff and any buildup of hair products, leaving your scalp feeling fresh and clean. The caffeine found in coffee grounds could also help to stimulate hair growth, that’s two benefits for the price of one!
Simply add your dried used coffee grounds to your favourite body wash, soap bar or shampoo. You can even create a lip scrub by adding a small amount of coffee granules to coconut oil, honey or beeswax to leave a smooth surface for your fave lip colour.
Reduce Dark Circles
Tired of looking tired? Coffee can help with that! Not only is coffee packed with stimulating and anti-inflammatory caffeine which can reduce puffiness, its high antioxidant content can help to fight free radicals which cause skin damage and contribute to the signs of aging.
To use, create a paste with the dried coffee grounds using coconut oil or water and gentle apply under your eyes. Leave for 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly, being careful not to scrub the area. Regular use can help you look bright and alert in no time at all.
Neutralise Odours
Wondered what those small pots of coffee beans in perfume shops are used for? Well, they’re used to neutralise scents between sniffings. Nitrogen, found in coffee grounds, removes strong, unpleasant smells from the air, making it a great odour neutraliser.
Place a bowl of coffee grounds wherever you need to neutralise odours, whether it be in the back of the fridge, next to the cat litter, in the laundry … you can even place dried coffee grounds into an old sock, tied tightly, and place them in your car, your clothes drawers, your shoes… the sky’s the limit!
Fertilise the Garden
Does your garden need a boost? Sprinkle some used coffee grounds onto your garden soil or even in your indoor pots to help give your plants a boost. Coffee grounds contain a range of minerals and nutrients that help with plant growth, as well as their ability to attract worms which help to aerate the soil and improve drainage.
Used coffee grounds can also be added to your regular compost heap or bin to give your compost an injection of nutrients. Dried coffee grounds may also help to neutralise odours given off when composting, so sprinkling on top could help to make the smell a little more pleasant!
Repel Insects… and Cats!
Not only can coffee grounds help your plants to grow big and healthy, they can also help to repel unwanted insects including mozzies and fruit flies. Simply scatter around your outdoor furniture or leave in open bowls to repel those annoying insects both inside and outside of the home. You can also sprinkle coffee grounds around your plants to stop snails, slugs and even stray cats from ruining your pride and joys.
Clean the House
Just like exfoliating your body, coffee grounds are also great to clean your home. Use them on their own as an exfoliant for hard surfaces, or mixed into a paste to provide a gentler scrub. They can even help to neutralise odours from sinks and drains. Just be careful not to scrub too hard as they may scratch the surface and can stain absorbent materials.
