If you live a sustainable life, you've probably already thought about using 100% of everything that goes through your hands or mouth - like coffee. Nowadays, we know about energy-saving coffee makers (cafissimo easy), different refillable capsules (see the section on refillable capsules), but what to do with the main ingredient - coffee?
How to use coffee grounds?
Check out our top tips and tricks for using (and reusing) coffee 100%.
Garden
Coffee beans contain several minerals necessary for plant growth, in particular potassium, calcium, nitrogen, iron, phosphorus, magnesium and chromium. Thanks to these minerals, used coffee grounds find a new use in the garden or in our homes.
FERTILIZER
Very easy to use as a fertilizer:
Dry fertilizer: Simply sprinkle the dried used coffee grounds around plants, flowers and shrubs before watering.
Liquid fertiliser: Pour lukewarm or cold water over the used coffee grounds again and pour the liquid over the plants.
Use on indoor plants such as Arabian coffee from our offer, but also on outdoor plants such as tomatoes, hydrangeas, roses, potatoes or strawberries.
TIP: If you are a carrot lover, mix the carrot seeds with dry, used coffee beans when you plant them in the soil. This will give them more energy (thanks to the caffeine), resulting in faster growth.
COMPOST
Used coffee grounds can also be added to compost, giving the compost all the nutrients it needs for reuse, especially nitrogen, and an even better smell.
NATURAL DYE
Interesting fact: we can also use it as a natural dye for various materials (fabric, paper), but especially for a wooden gazebo in the garden, which will get a whole new look with this natural dye.
Preparation instructions: Put the used coffee grounds in a container and add boiling water. Leave to soak for at least two hours, preferably overnight. Then strain and mix, et voila - your natural dye is ready.
INSECT REPELLENT
Coffee in the garden repels pests, snails, ants and beetles. Simply sprinkle used coffee grounds around the plants. Mix it with dried citrus peel (orange, lemon, grapefruit) to get rid of unwanted cats and their droppings.
FLEAS
Yes, coffee helps here too. At least for prevention. Every pet owner knows the problem of fleas - not a pleasant one. But we have at least a partial solution! All you have to do is massage coffee beans into your dog's or cat's coat after washing with shampoo, and then dry them as usual. Some people who use this technique even claim that their dog's or cat's hair is softer and shinier after such an exfoliation. It probably has the same effect as exfoliation on the human body.
Of course, this treatment does not have the same effect as medication prescribed directly by a vet, so we recommend it instead as a preventative and relaxing form of peeling. And most importantly, it should only be used externally. Consumption by pets can be toxic.
Skin
Coffee is trendy in cosmetics, mainly due to its sandy consistency, the mentioned minerals or the caffeine - which has a positive effect on our skin.
It can be used in various ways, but mainly as a scrub. On the body, on the hands, on the face. Just mix used coffee with water or coconut oil and you have a natural scrub. You can also add honey, argan oil, sugar, cinnamon or cream. The sky is the limit.
A few tips: if you want to use the coffee scrub on your face, do not add sugar - the sugar grains are larger and more irritating, such a scrub is more suitable for the body. Choose honey, maple syrup or yoghurt for your face - ingredients that soothe the skin and soften the scrub. You can also use such a mixture as a mask, simply massaging it in gently and leaving it on for a few minutes.
CELLULITE
Use this coffee scrub for cellulite problems. Caffeine stimulates cell metabolism, which helps the skin get rid of accumulated waste products.
Make it from dried or used coffee grounds in combination with sea salt and coconut oil. Again, combine with honey, aloe vera, cinnamon or olive oil.
HAIR
Coffee is also good for your hair. Massage the used coffee grounds into the roots, then wash with shampoo as usual. It will act as a conditioner replacement and give your hair a healthy and natural shine.
Household
CLEANING
You can also use used coffee grounds in the house. For example, to clean scratch-sensitive surfaces. Coffee grounds are not rough enough to scratch furniture, but sharp enough to give your home a spotless finish. Put used coffee on a damp cloth and gently wash the surface. It can also be used to clean burnt pots and pans.
(However, we recommend that you always test Coffee Cleaner on a smaller area of the cleaned surface first).
Odour Absorber
As we know, coffee has a natural pleasant and intense aroma, so it can also act as an odour absorber. Pour it into a bowl and place it in your living room or any other room, as well as in the fridge, rubbish bin or anywhere else in your home or workplace that needs to be odour neutralised. It will act as a natural air freshener.
Remember what happens when you cut an onion or garlic while you are cooking lunch? Sure, you can feel it on your hands for two days. Again, used coffee grounds can help. Just wash your hands with it after work and the unpleasant odour will be gone in seconds.
Tip: Use used coffee grounds to grit roads and pavements during the winter months. The coarse grains act like gravel or salt, preventing people from slipping on icy surfaces and helping to melt ice faster.
Conclusion
Coffee is fantastic in so many ways. It has many uses, many forms and, most importantly, is available to everyone. So, do you want to try some of our tips?