It’s always good to recycle, but did you know your old coffee grounds could have a number of other uses?
As coffee experts, we’ve put together this article to show you how coffee grounds can help you around the house with everything from cleaning your clothes to sorting bad smells.
Take a peek into the list below and find out why you will never throw your old coffee grounds away again!
#1 Neutralising odours
Coffee grounds contain nitrogen, which helps eliminate foul-smelling sulfur gas from the air when it’s combined with carbon. That basically means that coffee can help absorb and get rid of the bad odours.
This can make the foods in your fridge smell better and neutralise the odours - just place a bowl of coffee grounds in your fridge or freezer, this should solve the problem of bad smelling foods.
One of the most creative uses of the coffee grounds is creating DIY air fresheners. You can fill old socks with the coffee grounds and tie them off to make portable air fresheners!
#2 Helping remove dirt
Place a few teaspoons of grounds on a thin cleaning rag and use to scour away grease and grime. Just make sure not to use it on ceramic or other dishes that stain easily.
Coffee grounds can also be used as an abrasive cleaner - they can help sanitise and remove buildup on sinks, cookware, grills and other surfaces around the house!
#3 Tenderise your meat
Coffee contains natural acids and enzymes, making it especially effective at tenderising meat. It's those acidic tones of coffee that go well with the savoury flavours of meat.
The reason why coffee is great for BBQ, whether ground or brewed, is because it acts like a spice.
#4 Freshen your clothes
What you need to do is add a fresh pot of coffee and its grounds into your load of brown washing - make sure it’s dark colours only.
The coffee will help stain materials and keep dark colours looking fantastic!
#5 Clear up acne
Coffee is known to treat acne as it can exfoliate the skin. Caffeine in the coffee can tighten skin, smooth puffiness, fight free radicals and help fight cellulite and acne. It firms the skin thereby reducing the cellulite and plumps your skin, adding a healthy glow to it.
So fear not if you struggle with acne, coffee grounds could be your solution to clearer skin!
#6 Remove build up from your hair
As mentioned earlier coffee helps exfoliate your skin, massaging coffee grounds into your scalp while in the shower will help remove product build-up and help stimulate hair growth.
So next time you’re in the shower make sure you have your coffee grounds equipped and ready!
#7 Keeps your pets safe
After washing your cats and dogs, you can add one or two cups of coffee grounds into their fur - make sure you rinse afterwards. This will help kill fleas and make your animals fur soft and smooth.
Importantly though make sure your pet doesn’t eat the coffee grounds - as caffeine can be dangerous to animals!
#8 Clean your fireplace
While coffee grounds won’t do all the work when cleaning your fireplace they sure will help!
Scatter the used coffee grounds over the ashes to weigh them down and prevent the huge clouds of smoke that often arise when performing this tricky task. Sprinkle a layer of damp grounds over the ashes before sweeping them up.
#9 Repel insects and pests from your garden
Coffee grounds can help repel mosquitos and other annoying insects such as wasps and bees. Coffee grounds contain a strong smell but it's even stronger when they are burned - this smell can help keep pets away.
#10 Fertilise your garden
Mix your old grounds with dead grass clippings, brown leaves, or dry straw to neutralise some of the acidity, then spread them around your plants.
Do you have any other tips for reusing coffee grounds? Be sure to let us know on our social channels!