Coffee Grounds

Just enjoyed a lovely cup of coffee? Don’t just chuck the coffee grounds in the bin! What seems like waste to many people is actually a versatile and sustainable product with countless uses. From natural fertiliser to odour neutraliser and even as a scrub. Coffee grounds are worth their weight in gold. In this article you’ll discover 8 surprising ways to reuse coffee grounds. That way you save money, do your bit for a more sustainable environment and get the most out of your favourite coffee moment!

1. Coffee grounds as a natural fertiliser

Coffee grounds are a great natural fertiliser for plants. They contain valuable nutrients like nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, which are important for healthy growth. By adding coffee grounds to the soil, you improve the soil structure and stimulate soil life.

You can sprinkle coffee grounds directly around your plants or mix them with compost for an extra nutrient boost. Acid-loving plants like hydrangeas, roses and tomatoes especially benefit from the mild acidity of coffee grounds. Just be careful not to overdo it, because too thick a layer can actually block the soil and hinder water drainage.

2. Coffee grounds against unwanted animals and insects

Plagued by slugs, ants or cats in your garden? Coffee grounds can help keep them at bay. The smell and texture of coffee grounds are unpleasant to many unwanted visitors.

Slugs don’t like the gritty texture and caffeine in coffee grounds. Sprinkle a thin layer around your plants to prevent them being nibbled. Ants avoid coffee grounds because they disrupt their scent trails. Sprinkle them at entry points or in spots where you often see them. Cats love digging in garden soil, but the smell of coffee grounds puts them off. Mix it with citrus peelings for an even stronger effect. Also, wasps aren’t fans of coffee either.

3. Coffee grounds as an odour neutraliser

Coffee grounds have strong absorbent properties and work well as a natural odour neutraliser. That makes them a handy way to neutralise unwanted smells around the house.

  • In the fridge: Place a dish of dried coffee grounds in the fridge to absorb food odours.
  • For your hands: After chopping garlic or onions, rub your hands with coffee grounds to remove the smell.
  • In shoes or sports bags: Pop some dried coffee grounds in a sock or bag and put it in your shoes or bag to reduce sweaty smells.

4. Scrub and skincare with coffee grounds

Coffee grounds are a surprisingly effective ingredient for skincare. Thanks to their coarse texture, they work as a natural exfoliant, removing dead skin cells and stimulating circulation. Mix a small amount of coffee grounds with a bit of olive oil or coconut oil and you have a simple but effective scrub. This helps make your skin soft and smooth.

In addition, coffee grounds are often used in DIY treatments for cellulite. The caffeine in coffee is said to stimulate circulation and help break down fat cells under the skin. Although the effect isn’t scientifically proven, many people swear by a coffee grounds scrub as a natural way to firm up the skin. Your hair can also benefit from coffee grounds. By massaging them into your scalp, you remove excess oil and product residue, which can contribute to healthier hair growth.

5. Coffee grounds as a cleaning agent

Coffee grounds aren’t just handy for the garden and personal care, they can also help with cleaning various surfaces. Thanks to their mildly abrasive action, they’re a natural alternative to chemical cleaning products.

For stuck-on pans and oven dishes, you can use coffee grounds to scrub off the dirt without damaging the surface. Mix them with a bit of water or washing-up liquid and rub them over the stubborn grime. Coffee grounds can also be useful for sinks and worktops, especially if you want to remove greasy residue or smells.

6. Coffee grounds for growing mushrooms

Did you know you can use coffee grounds as a growing medium for mushrooms? Oyster mushrooms in particular grow brilliantly on coffee grounds, because they still contain plenty of nutrients the fungus needs. That makes it a sustainable and cost-effective way to grow your own mushrooms.

To get started yourself, you’ll need coffee grounds, oyster mushroom spawn and a breathable bag or bucket. Mix the coffee grounds with the spawn and keep the mixture in a dark, damp spot. Within a few weeks the first mushrooms will appear, which you can harvest and use in your favourite dishes.

7. Coffee grounds as a natural dye

Coffee grounds can be used as an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical dyes. The deep brown tones of coffee make them perfect for giving fabrics, paper and even wood a subtle, warm colour. That’s especially interesting for creative projects or restoring light discolouration on wooden furniture.

For dyeing fabric, you can make a concentrated coffee grounds solution by steeping the grounds in hot water. By soaking the fabric in it for a few hours, it takes on a natural, vintage look. The longer you let it soak, the darker the colour gets. Paper can also get an aged, antique look by treating it with a coffee grounds mixture and letting it dry.

8. Coffee grounds in the compost heap

Coffee grounds are a valuable addition to your compost heap. They’re rich in nitrogen, an important element for a good composting process. By adding coffee grounds to your compost, you help micro-organisms break down organic material faster, ultimately giving you a nutritious compost that enriches your garden.

It’s important to keep coffee grounds in balance with other compost materials. Because coffee grounds are a ‘green’ compost material (rich in nitrogen), you need to combine them with ‘brown’ material like leaves, straw or cardboard to maintain a good ratio. Too much coffee grounds can make compost too acidic, which can slow down decomposition.

A bonus is that coffee grounds in compost can help deter unwanted pests, such as certain insects and fungi. That makes them not just a sustainable way to reduce waste, but also a smart way to keep your garden healthy.

So why never throw coffee grounds away?

Coffee grounds are anything but waste. What at first seems to be left over after brewing a cup of coffee, turns out to be useful for all sorts of things. From natural fertiliser to odour neutraliser, from cleaning agent to DIY scrub and even as a growing medium for mushrooms, coffee grounds offer surprisingly many uses.