Sure, many people feel like they really can’t get moving in the morning without a cup of their favorite blend, but did you know that coffee has more uses than just drinking? Here are some of the 8 best uses for those leftover grounds.
Deer, Flea and Ant Repellant – Sprinkle used grounds into the garden and yard, deer naturally avoid the areas. For fleas, rub the coffee grounds through your pet’s fur after bathing. You can also, sprinkle the grounds in problem areas where you notice ants in your home or yard. Have huge ant mounds? Brew a large pot and pour directly on the mound.
Cellulite Scrub/Exfoliate Skin – As an anti-cellulite scrub, mix coffee grounds with your favorite essential oil and olive or coconut oil, scrub away. Cellulite creams almost usually have one major ingredient in common: caffeine, which supposedly enhances fat metabolism, reducing the appearance of these fatty pockets under the skin. You can also use them to eliminate food smells from your hands by rubbing a scoop of grounds in your hands.
Fertilize Plants – Azaleas, blueberry shrubs and rhododendrons, a few acid loving plants, are just a few of the plants that flourish when treated with coffee. Coffee grounds are rich in phosphorous, potassium, magnesium and copper, and they release nitrogen into the soil.
Nitrogen is a major part of chlorophyll and the green color of plants. It is responsible for lush, vigorous growth and the development of a dense, attractive lawn. Although nitrogen is the most abundant element in our atmosphere, plants can’t use it until it is naturally processed in the soil, or added as fertilizer. ~ About.com
File your Vase or make a candle filler – Yes, you can use marbles, colored stones, but why not put those old coffee beans to use? Use them as vase fillers, as a filler for a tea light, or in cups or jars full of pens and pencils. Use it in a coffee cup to hold your makeup brushes. It can give your space a spa feel. They’re elegant and continue to smell good for a while.
Deodorize the car or the fridge – If your car or your refrigerator is stinky, place a bowl of fresh coffee grounds inside and leave it for a day or two. The coffee will absorb the odors.
Clean tools, pots – Use a few teaspoons of grounds and a rag or a sponge, and scour away grease and grime. Coffee grounds are also good for scrubbing surfaces like countertops, cooking ranges, and refrigerators. You can use them alone or mix them with a little dish soap.
Hide scratches in dark wood furniture – Test in a small spot first! Scratches on dark wood furniture disappear almost instantly by simply rubbing in a little bit of instant coffee dampened into a paste with hot water. Use a cotton swab or small rag, and repeat as necessary until the scratch matches the surrounding wood.
Antique paper – Need antique paper for a project? You can dip paper or sheets of stationery in a mix of grounds and water, let them sit for a few minutes, then dry and brush off the grounds.
See, not just for drinking!
