Whole coffee beans not only give the most delicious coffee but, the used coffee grounds have a lot of uses in our everyday life as well. You’ll be surprised to see the valuable hacks that you can perform with the brewed coffee beans including cooking, cleansing, gardening, deodorizing and whatnot!
Read this article till the end to figure out various house hold hacks and benefit yourself from the used coffee grounds instead of tossing those in the trash can.
Drying the coffee grounds
To reuse the coffee grounds, first you need to dry them in a cool and moisture-free place. For this, spread the damp coffee grounds on a tray and stir frequently till they are completely dry. Removing moisture from the used coffee beans will make it easier for you to store the grounds till you are ready to utilize them in for any of the below-mentioned hacks.
- ENRICH YOUR GARDEN SOIL
Coffee grounds are a rich source of all the nutrients like potassium, magnesium, copper and phosphorous that are good for the health of your plants. Nitrogen in the coffee grounds allow them to act as a good compost material. Coffee grounds actually work to improve the aeration which means that it helps to break down the compact soil making it easier for the plants roots to grow at an accelerated rate.
Coffee grounds help in water retention in the soil and facilitates drainage. They allow the water to stay in the soil till the plants have fulfilled their water requirement after which the excess water leaves the soil.
Earthworms play a vital role in your garden’s overall health. Earthworms move in the soil by creating small tunnels in it which helps increase its drainage and their excrement (waste matter) is a rich source of nutrients for the soil. When you add coffee grounds in the garden soil, it attracts the earthworms which ultimately helps to improve the overall health of your garden plants.
Coffee grounds should be added in the soil with care as it gives acidic properties to the soil which can be good for the growth of a number of plants including carrots, radishes, mushrooms, roses, azaleas, hydrangeas, blueberries and many others. However, it can damage a few pants as well like tomatoes.
- KEEP THE PESTS AWAY
Caffeine and di-terpenes are the chemicals that can repel insects, bugs and pests. They are also helpful in repelling flies, mosquitoes and beetles. You can sprinkle the coffee grounds near the outside sitting area to avoid the insects or you can sprinkle them in the garden area to protect your plants from the slugs, snails and other uninvited guests.
- MAKE YOUR PET FREE FROM FLEAS
Research has shown that fleas don’t really like coffee. You can utilize this information to help your pet get rid of fleas. After shampooing your pet, rub coffee grounds on its skin and rinse again. It is suggested that rubbing coffee on pets can make their fur smooth and shiny however, there is not enough evidence available to support this fact.
This remedy might not as effective as other flea remover chemicals that are available in the market. So, if this natural treatment doesn’t help your pet, visit a vet for proper medication.
- FIGHT NASTY ODORS
Fragrance coming from different food sources when combined can produce an undesirable odor. To fight this odor, place a small bowl of coffee grounds in the refrigerator and freezer.
Coffee grounds can also act as air fresheners. Place them in your drawer, bathrooms, under the car seat, in the shoe rack and anywhere else where you feel the need of deodorizing.
- KEEP YOUR HOME SPICK AND SPAN
Coffee due to its abrasive nature can come in handy when you try to remove tough stains from your kitchen counter-tops, stoves and even in and around the sink area. Coffee grounds also possess anti-bacterial and anti-virial properties so, along with cleaning, coffee also help sanitize these areas.
You can use coffee to remove the buildup in pots and pans. Sprinkle coffee grounds in the pots and scrub as usual. This will minimize the effort and time required to remove the caked-on food in the utensils. Make sure not to scrub non-stick pans or else it might damage the coating in those utensils.
- WORKS AS A NATURAL DYE
Looking for all-natural dyes? Used coffee grounds have got your back. You can dye paper, cotton, cellophane, rayon and linen to give them a beautiful vintage look. 
Before using the dyed fabric make sure to wash it with cold water. You can also dye Easter eggs with coffee grounds.
Commercially available food dyes and hair colors are composed of carcinogenic chemicals. To avoid the undesirable effects of these dyes, use coffee for dying purpose.
- HASSLE-FREE CLEANING OF YOUR FIREPLACE
Coffee grounds have made cleaning your fireplace an easy task. Sprinkle coffee grounds on the ashes. It prevents the formation of smoke while cleaning the fireplace by weighing down the ashes and it does not allow the dust particles to scatter in the room.
- FIX SCRATCHED WOODEN FURNITURE
If your wooden furniture gets scratched, try the following technique before running to the store to buy different products.
Create a thick coffee paste by adding water to coffee grounds. Soak a piece of cloth in this mixture and apply it on the scratches. Allow it to sit there for 10 – 15 minutes. Wipe it off by using a clean cotton cloth. It will start to dye the exposed wood. To deepen the color, repeat this process multiple times waiting a few hours between each application.
- SPICE UP YOUR STEAK GAME
The acids and enzymes in the coffee can help tenderize the beef without altering its flavor. You can rub coffee grounds on the steak along with the typical marinade. Marinate it for 30 minutes. It will not only tenderize the meat but will also add a smoky flavor to the steak.
If you want to avoid the smoky flavor, you can make a strong coffee brew, cool it down and dip the steak in it for 24 – 48 hours. The coffee will tenderize the meat and develop its flavor as well.
- SPRINKLE IT ON ICY SIDEWALKS
Removing ice on the sidewalks can be an absolute headache. Sprinkling dry coffee beans on the ice creates traction which allows it to melt faster.
- ATTRACT FISH WITH COFFEE
Used coffee grounds make comfy bedding for the bait worms and are a good food source for them as well. Fishermen add coffee grounds to the fishing baits which not only makes the worms live longer but the scent from the coffee attracts fish especially trout and bass.
After reading all the amazing house hold hacks that coffee grounds can be used for, you would surely think twice before discarding the brewed coffee beans. Now go, grab yourself a freshly roasted pack of Asante Coffee, grind those beans, brew yourself a steaming cup of Joe and utilize the brewed coffee grounds for the above-mentioned house hold hacks.
Leave a comment