While we are still a nation of tea drinkers, we Brits love our coffee, too. We drink approximately 95 million cups of coffee each day, which adds up to a lot of coffee grounds. Many of these end up in the bin, but they don’t have to. Here are ten ways you can reuse coffee grounds in a thrifty, eco-friendly way.
Ten Eco-Friendly Ways to Reuse Coffee Grounds
Compost Booster
Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, making them great additions to your compost heap. They help balance carbon-rich materials like leaves and paper, speeding up decomposition. However, add only a few at once, as too many can make your compost too acidic.
Natural Fertiliser
Sprinkle coffee grounds directly onto your soil. They can improve drainage, help retain water, and aerate the soil. Plants that thrive in acidic soil, such as roses, blueberries, and tomatoes, particularly love these added nutrients.
Pest Repellent
Coffee grounds can naturally deter garden pests. Sprinkling them around plants stops slugs, snails, and ants. The texture and strong smell repel these pests, protecting your garden without using harmful pesticides.
Odour Neutraliser
Coffee grounds are excellent at absorbing unpleasant odours. Place a bowl of coffee grounds in your fridge to banish lingering smells. You can also use them to neutralise odours in your kitchen bins or to deodorise smelly shoes.
Cleaning Scrub
Coffee grounds’ coarse texture makes them an effective abrasive cleaner. Use them to scrub pots, pans, and surfaces. Mix with water or soap to make a natural, eco-friendly cleaner that tackles stubborn dirt.
DIY Beauty Treatments
Coffee grounds can be perfect for homemade beauty products. They make an excellent exfoliant for your skin. Mix with coconut oil or honey to create a nourishing scrub. The caffeine in the grounds can also help reduce puffiness and improve circulation to the skin.
Dye
Used coffee grounds can be a natural dye for craft and DIY projects. They impart a beautiful sepia tone, perfect for dyeing fabric, paper, or eggs. This is a fun way to add a vintage touch to your crafts.
Insect Repellent
Burning dried coffee grounds in a fireproof bowl can help ward off insects. The smoke is unpleasant to mosquitoes and other bugs, making it a useful natural insect repellent outdoors.
Household De-Greaser
Mix coffee grounds with a small amount of water to create a paste that cuts through grease. This method is particularly effective for cleaning greasy kitchen surfaces and stovetops without harsh chemicals.
Homemade Candles
Create coffee-scented candles by adding used coffee grounds to your soy wax mixture. This gives your candles a pleasant aroma and adds a rustic, textured look. They make charming, eco-friendly gifts and will make your home smell lush.
So, think again next time you think about putting those coffee grounds in the bin. There are so many ways that they can be repurposed. Can you think of any other ways to reuse coffee grounds? Let us know in the comments below.
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