There’s nothing quite like a fresh cup of coffee. And there’s no coffee fresher than bean-to-cup; brewed in a matter of seconds from your trusted machine, producing a rich blend of flavour with a thick layer of crema on top, leaving nothing but spent grounds behind.
But, before you chuck those grounds in the bin, think again. Coffee grounds have all sorts of uses around the home and in your garden, revitalising your plants as well as your skin. Curious to learn more? Here are the 7 clever ways you can reuse your spent coffee grounds.
Note: Coffee grounds are toxic to dogs, so take care where these are used around the home and garden so that they can’t be ingested.
1. Repair scratches on wooden furniture
For unsightly scratches on your darker, sealed wooden furniture, be it a garden bench, an old armchair or your floorboards, coffee grounds can help to cover up the damage.
All you need to do is apply a damp paste of coffee grounds (aim for a gloopy consistency) directly to the surface of the scratch, testing in an inconspicuous area first. Then wait for several hours, or overnight, and remove afterwards with a damp cloth (don’t scrub it in or you risk further scratching the furniture). The natural dye of the coffee will fill in the scratch and make it less conspicuous.
2. Repel slugs and snails
The caffeine in coffee grounds is said to have a repelling effect on slugs and snails, especially while it’s still fresh – in fact, it can lead to caffeine poisoning if consumed or encountered. The dry, gritty texture isn’t exactly inviting for them to climb over either. So, coffee grounds can be the saving grace for your plants and help to get rid of slugs.
Simply sprinkle a protective barrier around your vulnerable plants and let the coffee do the work for you. Sprinkle it directly in the bed or in the planter and remember to inspect it regularly and top up as needed. You can also mix it into the soil if that’s easier, to stop it from being blown away. Although avoid applying coffee grounds directly around young or delicate plants – stick to compost with coffee grounds in that case.
3. Skin exfoliator
Coffee grounds can also become a quintessential part of your beauty routine, too. With its gritty texture, it acts as a natural exfoliator when applied and scrubbed over the skin. According to Lynne Hyland, beauty director at Good Housekeeping:
‘Coffee is a classic ingredient for creating your own scrubs – in fact, in a recent beauty recipe book called UpCyled (from Upcircle) there’s a coffee body scrub recipe, which involves mixing 100g fresh coffee grounds with 10g sea salt and 20g sugar, plus two tbsp of coconut oil and almond oil.
‘Since coffee grounds are physical exfoliants (ie ones that scrub away dead skin with their roughness), I’d suggest only using coffee as a body scrub, and taking a gentle touch if you have sensitive skin. For your face, I’d advise skipping a homemade coffee scrub and sticking to shop-bought chemical exfoliants that loosen and dissolve dead skin cells bonds. The last thing you want is to brew up trouble…’
4. Deodorise the fridge
Another useful tip is using coffee grounds to get rid of unpleasant smells from your fridge. Simply pop a small bowl at the back of a shelf and it will get to work. It absorbs and neutralises odours, thanks to the nitrogen properties and porous nature. Plus, it produces its own pleasant fragrance to overwhelm whatever else might be in there.
Because of its deodorising nature, you could also use coffee grounds anywhere that’s liable to smell, be it shoes, your gym bag, your wardrobe or even the car. It’s much like bicarb in its deodorising versatility!
5. Scrub burnt pots and pans
Coffee grounds are abrasive – we’ve covered that. So why not use them for a helping hand when scrubbing burnt pots and pans? Simply mix up a paste of coffee grounds (a few tbsp of coffee will do per pan) with water (keep it thick so it won’t wash away easily), then use your sponge to pick it up and apply it directly to the pot, pan or baking tray. Don’t use this on a delicate or non-stick surface, though, as it’s liable to scratch!
However, coffee grounds are one of the things you need to stop pouring down the sink as it can cause blockages. Instead, empty them out on to your compost heap or into the kitchen bin.
6. Enrich your soil
It’s widely accepted that coffee grounds have a positive impact on garden soil. While this is true to an extent, it’s only so when used in moderation.
It’s often assumed that coffee grounds lower the pH of the soil, but that’s not the case. Coffee grounds are pretty neutral by the time they reach the soil, with the acidity brewed away by the coffee machine. And, while coffee grounds do release nitrogen and supply a range of nutrients, it’s not to the extent that you should stop applying plant food. In fact, when an excess is used it can actually hinder plant growth. But, used sparingly or applied via a compost pile, it can improve drainage as well as moisture retention and encourage worms and microbe growth.
We recommend a compost mixed from one-part nitrogen-rich ingredients (such as coffee grounds and leftover vegetables) to three parts carbon-rich ingredients (such straw, leaves and cardboard). Don’t exceed 20% of coffee grounds in total. Thin layers around ½in-thick are best.
7. Dying fabrics
Finally, seeing that coffee grounds can dye wood, it’s only natural that it’s a brilliant dye for your fabrics, too – ideal if you’re looking to mask an unsightly stain! You just need to boil a ground coffee stew on the hob for the full effect.
The amount of grounds you use will depend on the size of the item you’re dying as well as how dark you want the colour. But, as a starting point, we’d recommend 5-6 tbsp per T-shirt-sized item, increasing the measurement gradually while keeping an eye on the colour of the water.
Once your stew reaches boiling point, switch it off and submerge and soak your items for 10-20 minutes for a light dye, or up to one hour or more for an intense dye, stirring occasionally with a spoon. Then once you’re happy with the colour, remove it and wait until cool enough to touch, then rinse and place in another pot with hot water and white vinegar (1 part vinegar to 4 parts water). Leave for 10 minutes, then remove and rinse before washing on a cold temperature.
Coffee grinders
Score: 89/100
This coffee grinder lets you adjust the grind time by 0.2 second increments and boasts 60 settings, covering everything from French press to espressos. Our fine grounds were precise in both weight and size, and minimal residue escaped from the grinder. The medium and coarse grounds could have been more accurate but it’s still a worthy buy.
Score: 87/100
With a UV filter on the hopper to protect your beans, this is practical and considered. There are only five settings, but they’re clearly labelled with coffee types, and you can start grinding at the push of a button. Like our winner, the finer grounds were most accurate and there was a bit of static build-up, which left a mess on the countertop – but we think the extra clean-up time is worth it.
Score: 79/100
At just £20, this Amazon Basics grinder is an excellent pick for first timers who don't want to spend over the odds. There aren’t any specific grind settings, but the responsive button and clear lid allow you to quickly stop grinding as soon as you reach the right consistency.
