Every day, 2 billion cups of coffee are drunk around the world, which translates to an incredible amount of almost 25 million liters of this aromatic drink. To better illustrate this, imagine that more than 7 Olympic swimming pools are filled with coffee every day. Sounds really impressive, right? Let us remember, however, that coffee is not only the liquid itself, but also coffee grounds, with which something needs to be done after preparing your favorite small black coffee. Unfortunately, in most cases they end up… in the trash. And there are plenty of interesting ways to reuse coffee grounds!
Be eco – use coffee grounds
According to the zero waste trend, virtually everything can be recycled – including coffee grounds. Although hardly anyone is aware of it, such a raw material can be used both for food and care, as well as cleaning and even … gardening! Yes it’s true. Thanks to coffee grounds, you can effectively fight garden pests, as well as obtain a natural and safe garden fertilizer. And this is just one of many ways to process black coffee powder. Check out our ways to recycle coffee grounds!
1. Coffee flavored dessert
You’re probably wondering, how is it possible to eat coffee grounds? It turns out that it is not only safe, but also really tasty! All you have to do is put the coffee grounds in silicone ice molds and then put them in the freezer for a few hours. After this time, you can make a delicious coffee granita or a delicate frappuccino. If you like very sweet desserts, add a little sugar to the grounds before freezing.
2. Meat marinade
As you know, coffee has a specific bitterness and delicate acidity, which can also be felt in coffee grounds. This flavor goes perfectly with meat, which is why coffee grounds should be used, e.g. for the meat sauce. Mix the coffee scraps with a little cayenne pepper, brown sugar, salt and garlic, then rub them all over the meat. During roasting, an aromatic sauce will be released from the meat, which you can season in any way.
3. A gentle cleaner for pots and pans
Coffee grounds are perfect as a gentle scouring agent, e.g. for enamel pots. Sprinkle some coffee grounds on the soiled areas, then gently scrub pots and pans with a soft sponge. Finally, rinse and wash them thoroughly.
4. Refrigerator air freshener
Ground coffee is an excellent absorber of unpleasant odors that we struggle with, e.g. in the fridge or in shoes. It is therefore worth using it as an air freshener that is completely safe for food and for your body. Dry the coffee grounds thoroughly, then place them in a wide air-ventilated container and put them in the fridge. Take out the coffee only when you no longer sense any unpleasant odors. You can also put the grounds in the bag in your shoes at night to get rid of the smell of sweat.
5. Natural paint for Easter eggs
In stores, we often come across ready-made sets for decorating Easter eggs. Remember, however, that you can create such a natural dye for Easter eggs yourself! Wrap the coffee grounds in a piece of gauze and pour boiling water over them for about 15 minutes. You can use the decoction obtained in this way as a natural dye for coloring Easter eggs.
6. Ecological Play-Doh for children
Instead of spending money on colorful play dough, all you have to do is combine coffee grounds with a few other ingredients and you will get an ecological toy for your child. Thanks to it, you will not worry when your baby accidentally puts it in his mouth. To prepare homemade Play-Doh you need: 2 glasses of water, half a glass of coffee grounds, a spoonful of instant coffee, a glass of salt, 2 teaspoons of tartar cream, a glass of hot water, 2 tablespoons of oil and glycerin soap. Heat the soap in a pot and mix the flour, cream, salt, coffee and grounds in another. Add hot water, cooled glycerin and oil to the mixture. Mix everything well until you get the consistency of play dough.
7. Natural shampoo for dogs
If you notice fleas on your pet’s fur, prepare a bath for him and add a little coffee grounds to his shampoo to repel insects.
8. Coffee body scrub
Eco-friendly body lotion based on coffee grounds is the perfect way to exfoliate dead skin cells and restore the skin’s natural glow. If, on the other hand, you want to prepare a coffee body scrub, pour hot water over the coffee grounds, wait a moment and add your favorite oil. Rub the mixture in circular motions into the skin while taking a shower. The effect will surely surprise you – the skin will be nourished, regenerated, and cellulite will become much less visible.
9. Coffee face scrub
Add some coffee grounds to your favorite oil, and rub the prepared mixture gently on your face (remember to keep a safe distance from your eyes). Such a cosmetic will not only remove dead epidermis from your face and have an intensive cleansing effect, but will also help you get rid of unsightly bags and dark circles under your eyes.
10. Ecological hair rinse
You can also use dried coffee grounds as a natural hair conditioner. Add 4 tablespoons of coffee grounds to shampoo, mix everything and apply directly to wet hair and scalp. After a few minutes, rinse the mixture and comb your hair thoroughly.
11. Repeller for mosquitoes, cockroaches and other bugs
Mosquitos are a problem for many of us in the summer. To be able to enjoy a pleasant time outdoors, place a bowl of coffee grounds nearby, which will effectively repel any mosquitoes. You can use the same patent for cockroaches. You can create a home trap for these insects by throwing coffee grounds and paper towels into a glass jar. This will allow the cockroaches to enter the jar but not get out.
12. Mushroom farming at home
Coffee grounds are a surefire way to grow your own mushrooms. It turns out that coffee leftovers accelerate the growth of mushrooms and oyster mushrooms. So use a bucket, coffee grounds and mushroom spores, and then try to create your own plantation.
13. Preparation for getting rid of garden pests
Although humans generally like the aroma of freshly brewed coffee to wake them up in the morning, animals are not entirely satisfied with this smell. If you do not want your dog or cat to walk in certain places, all you have to do is sprinkle some coffee grounds around them. It will work similarly in the case of garden snails, for which coffee residues will also be an effective deterrent.
14. Natural fertilizer for hydrangeas
Coffee grounds are a valuable source of elements that are worth supplying to garden plants. Due to the slightly acid reaction, coffee grounds are perfect as a natural fertilizer for acid-loving plants or those that are neutral to the pH, such as hydrangea, magnolia, azalea, fern or thuja. A great example are blue hydrangeas, which thanks to coffee grounds absorb aluminum and gain an even more intense color.
15. Coffee grounds litter
Gardeners can also use dried coffee scraps to mulch plants, thus supplying them with nitrogen, potassium and magnesium. Interestingly, this method can also be used by owners of potted flowers. All you have to do is pour the coffee grounds with water and wait for the whole thing to swell. Then water the flowers with this preparation once every 1-2 weeks.
16. Coffee grounds on the pavement instead of salt and sand
It’s time for our latest proposal for processing coffee grounds, which is used by, among others, The city of Krakow. To prevent the paths and alleys from icing up in the winter, they are sprinkled with coffee grounds, which are an ecological and safe alternative to salt or sand. What’s more, this solution allows you to improve the quality of the soil, protect our shoes and dog’s paws, which may be irritated by salt.
