10 Surprising Uses for Coffee Grounds Around the House

Coffee ground in pour over cup — Photo:
Boy_Anupong / Getty Images

Brewing coffee is one of life's greatest, simplest pleasures. Dealing with the leftover coffee grounds, though? Less than ideal. But, before you send your used coffee grounds to the compost bin or trash, it might be worth hanging on to them for a few key uses. Used coffee grounds can do everything from scouring your pots and pans to deodorizing your fridge to fixing scratches on your wood furniture. Ahead, we spoke with experts to share their favorite uses for used coffee grounds around the house that will have you rethinking this versatile household staple.

Petya Holevich, Fantastic Services' domestic cleaning expert and supervisor
Rocky Vuong, professional cleaner, organizer, and founder of Calibre Cleaning Limited
Karina Toner, operations manager for Spekless Cleaning

01 of 10

Natural Cleaning Scrub

Because of their gritty texture, used coffee grounds make for a perfect DIY cleaning scrub for scouring anything from pots and pans to your stovetop. "The gritty texture helps to scrub away stubborn food residue," says Karina Toner, operations manager from Spekless Cleaning. "Simply sprinkle the grounds on a damp sponge and scrub the dishes before rinsing thoroughly."

02 of 10

Odor Neutralizer

Coffee grounds have a natural ability to absorb odors, whether that's in your refrigerator, freezer, shoes, or trash can. Place a bowl of coffee grounds in the offending area (or, in the case of your shoes, place dry grounds in an old sock or cloth tied up and leave overnight inside the shoe) and let the grounds absorb unpleasant odors, says Rocky Vuong, founder of Calibre Cleaning Unlimited. You can even use coffee grounds to deodorize your hands after handling food like garlic or fish. "Simply wash your hands with the coffee scrub and see the magic," says Vuong.

03 of 10

Body Scrub

Beauty products dry brush scrub on wooden table with beautiful light — Alina Nechaeva / Getty Images

You don't need to spend a ton of money for a fancy body scrub—used coffee grounds (alongside some honey or coconut oil) work in a pinch. "The grounds help to remove dead skin cells and leave the skin feeling smooth," says Toner.

04 of 10

Furniture Scratch Repair

If you notice scratches on your wooden furniture, you can use coffee grounds to easily repair them. "This is one of the more interesting uses for coffee grounds because not many people know about it," says Petya Holevich, Fantastic Services' domestic cleaning expert and supervisor. "To use coffee grounds as a furniture scratch repair tool, mix them with a bit of water until it creates a paste and use it to mask scratches on dark wood furniture. Alternatively, you can also use a Q-tip to apply them for a more detailed approach." Then, let the paste sit for a few minutes before scrubbing away with a clean cloth to reveal like-new furniture with no superficial scratches.

05 of 10

Meat Tenderizer

Coffee grounds don't just add a depth of flavor—they can also tenderize meat because of their unique composition. "The enzymes, as well as natural acidity in the coffee grounds, can easily help to break down the protein and fibers in the meat," says Toner. "You can develop your own coffee rub by mixing coffee grounds, cinnamon, and water."

06 of 10

Garden Pest Repellent

Prevent your garden from becoming an all-you-can-eat cafeteria for pests by spreading coffee grounds throughout. "The strong scent and texture deter pests from approaching," says Toner. "Additionally, coffee grounds can act as a natural fertilizer, enriching the soil and promoting plant growth."

07 of 10

Plant Fertilizer

Coffee being used in plants — Wachiwit / Getty Images

Besides deterring pests, coffee grounds are actually great to add to your garden as a natural fertilizer, specifically for acid-loving plants like azaleas, rhododendrons, and blueberries, says Toner. "The grounds add organic matter and nutrients to the soil, promoting healthy growth," she says. "Be sure to mix the grounds into the soil rather than leaving them on the surface to prevent mold growth."

08 of 10

Fireplace Cleaner

Cleaning your fireplace can sometimes have the unintended effect of actually creating a somewhat larger mess in the process, due to dusty ashes flying around. But coffee grounds can help with this. "If you want to avoid making a dusty cloud while sweeping, scatter around damp coffee grounds into the pile of ashes and they’ll weigh it down, preventing smoke clouds from forming," says Petrovich.

09 of 10

Exfoliating Soap

Infuse coffee grounds into your favorite homemade bar soap for an exfoliating effect. "The grounds help to scrub away dirt and dead skin cells, leaving the skin feeling refreshed," says Toner. After chopping your own melt-and-pour soap, mix 1 tablespoon of brewed coffee grounds for every cup of soap. Add more coffee grounds if you'd like it to offer more exfoliating properties. Stir together, adding your favorite scented essential oil, and then pour into a mold and let it sit for about 40 minutes.

10 of 10

Natural Dye

You can use coffee grounds to make natural dye for everything from Easter eggs to fabric. "You can use coffee grounds to dye paper, fabric, or Easter eggs in a natural way for a vintage, sepia-toned effect," says Petrovich. For more saturated color, use more coffee grounds in your dye mixture.

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