What to do with the used coffee grounds? Interesting tips

If you live an ecological life, you’ve probably already thought about 100% use of everything that goes through your hands or mouth - such as coffee. Nowadays, we know different energy-saving coffee makers (cafissimo easy), different refillable capsules (see the section of refillable capsules), but what to do with the main ingredient - coffee?

What to do with the used coffee grounds?

Check our top tips and tricks on how to use (and reuse) coffee by 100%.

Garden

Coffee beans contain several minerals needed for plant growth, in particular potassium, calcium, nitrogen, iron, phosphorus, magnesium and chromium. Thanks to these minerals, used coffee grounds find their new purpose in the garden or in our household.

FERTILIZER

Very easy use as fertilizer:

Dry fertilizer: Simply pour the dried used coffee grounds around plants, flowers and shrubs before watering.

Liquid fertilizer: pour lukewarm or cold water over the used coffee grounds once more and pour the liquid over the plants.

Use it for houseplants such as Arabian coffee from our offer, but also 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 planting it in the ground. It gives them more energy (thanks to caffeine), which results in faster growth.

COMPOST

Used coffee grounds can also be added into compost so that the compost obtains all the necessary nutrients for further use, especially nitrogen, and 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 gets an entirely new look with this natural dye.

Instructions for preparation: Put the used coffee grounds in a container and pour boiling water again. Let it infuse for at least two hours, but best to soak it overnight. Then strain and blend the mixture, et voila - your natural dyeing color is ready.

INSECT REPELLENT

Coffee in our garden repels pests, snails, ants and beetles. Just pour used coffee grounds around the plants. If you mix it with dried citrus peels (orange, lemon, grapefruit), you also get rid of unwanted cats and their feces.

FLEAS

Yes, coffee is helpful here, too. At least as prevention. Any pet owner is sure to know flea issue - nothing pleasant. But we have at least a partial solution! All you have to do is massage coffee beans into the fur after washing your dog or cat with shampoo and then dry them as usual. Some people who use this technique even claim that the hair of their dogs or cats is softer and shinier after such peeling. It probably has the same effect as peeling on the human body.

Of course, this treatment does not have the same effect as medication prescribed directly by a veterinarian, so we recommend it instead as prevention and relaxation in the form of peeling. And most importantly, use only externally. The consumption in domestic animals can be toxic.

Skin

Coffee is trendy in cosmetics, mainly due to its sandy consistency, the mentioned minerals or caffeine - which has a positive effect on our skin.

It has various uses, but mainly as a peeling. On the body, on the hands, on the face. Just mix used coffee with water or coconut oil and a natural peeling is ready. You can also add honey, argan oil, sugar, cinnamon or cream. The sky is the limit.

A few tips: if you would like to use coffee peeling on the face, do not add sugar - sugar grains are bigger and more irritating, such a peeling is more suitable for the body. Choose honey, maple syrup or yogurt for your face - ingredients that soothe the skin and soften the peeling. You can also use such a coffee mixture as a mask by just gently massaging it and letting it stay on the skin for a few minutes.

CELLULITE

Use this coffee peeling for cellulite issues. Caffeine promotes cellular metabolism, thanks to which the skin gets rid of accumulated waste products.

Prepare it from dried coffee grounds or used coffee grounds in combination with sea salt and coconut oil. Even here combine it with honey, aloe vera, cinnamon or olive oil, for example.

HAIR

Coffee is also beneficial for the hair. Massage the used coffee grounds to the roots and then wash with shampoo as usual. It serves as a replacement for the conditioner and your hair will get 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 particles are not so rough to scratch the furniture, but sharp enough to provide your home with the spotless cleanliness. Apply used coffee to a damp cloth and gently wash the surface. It is also used to clean burnt pots and pans.

(however, we recommend to always try “coffee cleaner” on a smaller area of the cleaned surface first)

Odor ABSORBER

As we know, coffee has its natural pleasant and, at the same time, intense aroma, so it can also serve as an odor absorber. Pour it into a bowl and place it in your living room or any other room, as well as in the refrigerator, trash can, or another place in your home or workplace that needs to get a better odor. It acts as a natural air freshener.

Do you remember what happens when cutting an onion or garlic while cooking lunch? Sure, you feel it on your hands for two more days. Even here – used coffee grounds back you up. Simply wash your hands with it after the work is done and the unpleasant odor is gone in a few seconds.

Tip: Use used coffee grounds in the winter months to sprinkle roads and sidewalks. Rough grains act similarly to gravel or salt, preventing people from slipping on icy surfaces and helping to melt ice faster.