Creative Ways to Reuse Coffee Grounds: From Home to Garden

July 15, 2023

Coffee Ground Use

Ever wander what to do with your leftover coffee grounds once you've enjoyed your cup? Did you know there are actually many ways to repurpose those leftover coffee grounds? Let's explore creative and eco-friendly ways to reuse coffee grounds both inside your home and in your garden beyond the brewing process!

Around the Home

Coffee grounds have numerous applications around the house that can simplify your daily routines and enhance your living spaces. Consider the following:

Natural Deodorizer: Coffee grounds have a powerful ability to absorb odors. Place dry coffee grounds in a small bowl or sachet and position them in areas prone to unwanted smells, such as the refrigerator, pantry, or even your shoe cabinet. The coffee grounds will help neutralize odors, leaving your spaces smelling fresh and clean.

Exfoliating Scrub: Use Coffee grounds to make a fantastic natural exfoliant. Mix your used coffee grounds with a small amount of coconut oil or your preferred carrier oil to create a gentle scrub. Be sure to place it in a jar that you can seal. Now you are ready to use it to exfoliate your face, body, or hands to reveal smoother, rejuvenated skin.

Cleaning Agent: The slightly abrasive texture of coffee grounds makes them an effective cleaning agent for stubborn stains or greasy surfaces. Use them to scrub pots and pans, clean dirty surfaces like countertops or cutting boards, or even remove grime from your grill. Coffee grounds offer an eco-friendly alternative to chemical-laden cleaners.

In the Garden

Coffee grounds can work wonders for your garden, nourishing your plants and improving soil health. Let's look at a few eco-friendly ways to reuse your old coffee grounds in your garden:

Nutrient-Rich Compost: Coffee grounds are an excellent addition to your compost pile. Mix the coffee grounds with other compostable materials like kitchen scraps such as bananas, leaves, and grass clippings. As the coffee grounds break down nutrients will be added to the compost and enriching it with nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and other essential minerals. Incorporate this nutrient-rich compost into your garden beds or use it as a top dressing around existing plants.

Soil Amendment: Improve the quality of your garden soil by incorporating coffee grounds. Their organic matter content helps to improve soil structure and fertility. Coffee grounds also act as a natural fertilizer, slowly releasing nutrients into the soil as they decompose. Work coffee grounds directly into your garden beds or mix them with potting soil for container gardening to enhance soil health and promote robust plant growth.

Pest Deterrent: Coffee grounds can help deter certain pests in your garden. You can create a natural barrier if you spread a thin layer of coffee grounds around plants that are prone to pests like slugs, snails, and ants. Additionally, coffee grounds may help repel cats and other animals that may disturb your garden beds.

Acid-Loving Plants: Coffee grounds are slightly acidic, making them ideal for plants that thrive in acidic soil conditions. Plants like azaleas, rhododendrons, blueberries, and hydrangeas are acid-loving and can benefit from the acidity provided by coffee grounds. Work coffee grounds into the soil around these plants to help maintain the desired pH level and promote healthy growth.


By finding creative ways to repurpose coffee grounds, we not only reduce waste but also contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle. From freshening up your home to nourishing your garden, coffee grounds have remarkable potential beyond the brewing process. So, the next time you enjoy your cup of coffee, remember that the grounds can continue to bring value and joy in unexpected ways. Let's embrace the art of repurposing and savor the benefits that coffee grounds can offer.

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