Who doesn’t love a fresh cup of coffee in the morning! However, did you know you can use that coffee grounds for more than just brewing coffee? There are many different ways to use coffee grounds to benefit both your home and garden. This article will give you some great alternative uses for coffee grounds!
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Natural Cleaning Scrub
You can use coffee grounds as an all-natural cleaning agent. Coffee grounds are mildly abrasive and porous, meaning they work great as a scrub to help remove stuck-on dirt. Use this in the kitchen by mixing it with liquid soap and baking soda for a magical homemade scouring powder. This combo is sure to help cut through the toughest grease stains. For even more natural cleaning, try using coffee grounds to scrub the bathtub. Add some of the same ingredients mentioned above, and your tub will be sparkling clean in no time!
Composting
One of the best alternatives for coffee grounds is adding them to your compost. Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, making them great for adding to a compost pile. They help speed up the decomposition process by breaking down organic materials so you can use your compost at a quicker pace. The next time you have old coffee grounds sitting around, don’t throw them away. Instead, add a bit to a compost pile and help create a nutrient-rich environment for growing healthy plants!
Homemade Body Scrub
Who doesn’t love an invigorating body scrub in the shower? Well, now you can have all those great benefits using coffee grounds! Coffee contains caffeine which helps tighten skin and leaves it looking smooth. Mix coffee grounds with any natural oil, like olive or coconut, then massage onto wet skin to get that extra boost you deserve! You can even add a little sugar for an exfoliating scrub!
Remove Fleas From Pets
Fleas are the enemy! They keep your pets itching and scratching. However, you can get rid of fleas by adding a handful of coffee grounds to your pet’s bathwater. The caffeine in the coffee grounds irritates fleas, causing them to jump out of their host’s fur. This is perfect for dogs or cats who always seem to get infested with fleas during the year’s warmer months. Just remember, you may need to use this treatment more than once.
Remove Odors
Coffee grounds are perfect for when you need to get rid of unwanted odors. Coffee grounds absorb excess moisture, which is the key to getting rid of bad smells in your kitchen. Place some in an open container in your fridge or pantry to keep these areas smelling fresh! If it’s your garbage can that needs deodorizing, try soaking some coffee grounds in warm water before throwing them away. This will absorb the bad smells and leave your kitchen smelling great!
Keep Pests Away
Placing coffee grounds around your yard can help keep unwanted pests away, like insects and mice. Mice despise the smell of coffee, so try sprinkling some in areas where you know they hang out. If there are any insect problems in your home or garden, try scattering some ground coffee around the area to keep them at bay. The smell will keep them from causing any damage to your home or garden! Remember that you’ll need to replace the coffee grounds often since exposure to water and air will reduce its effectiveness.
Reduce Cellulite
Believe it or not, applying coffee grounds topically can help reduce the appearance of cellulite. Coffee contains caffeine, which is a diuretic and helps flush out fat. Combine coffee grounds with some carrier oil like olive or grapeseed and smooth the mixture over your skin. Relax for 20-30 minutes, and you’ll soon see cellulite visibly reduced. This remedy is sure to help give your skin a tighter appearance!
Remove Splinters
Are you dealing with a pesky splinter? Well, try using some coffee grounds! Coffee contains caffeine, which helps shrink pores. This means it will help shrink the skin around the splinter so you can remove it easily. Take some damp coffee grounds and place them on the splinter. Cover with a bandage and leave overnight. The following day, you should be able to remove the splinter without any issues!
Meat Tenderizer
Got tough meat? Well, coffee is the perfect solution. The caffeine in coffee grounds helps break down proteins in beef, which makes it more tender. Mix some ground coffee with sea salt and your favorite herbs for a naturally flavorful meat tenderizer! You can even try adding dried lavender flowers for an extra burst of sweetness! This method of tenderizing your meat will give you that perfectly cooked steak every time.
Stain Removal
Have stubborn stains on kitchen countertops, appliances, or even clothing? Well, try using coffee grounds to remove these stains! Make a thick paste with some water and coffee grounds and apply it directly onto any stain. Let it sit overnight and wash it off in the morning! The coffee grounds should help absorb unwanted stains and make your clothing or appliances like new again!
Conclusion
Coffee grounds are not something you want to throw away after brewing your morning cup of java. These little brown nuggets have many more uses besides getting your day started. They’re perfect for repelling pests, reducing cellulite, and even transforming tough cuts of meat into tender steaks! So the next time you make a pot of coffee, don’t toss your coffee grounds. Instead, place them in a jar for future use!