You Should Save Your Coffee Grounds, Here’s 6 Ways To Reuse Them
Coffee grounds often get immediately tossed without a second thought, but what if those leftover grounds could actually help around your home and garden? Turns out, they can do more than just make your morning cup. From practical uses to small ways to cut waste, here are just a few reasons to hang on to them.
1. Clean Drain Pipes
Used coffee grounds can help reduce odor buildup in kitchen drains. While they shouldn’t be poured straight into the pipes, a small amount mixed with hot water and dish soap can scrub the top layer of the drain and mask sour smells. It won’t fix a clog, but it can buy time between deep cleanings. Do this once a week and follow it with hot water to rinse thoroughly.
2. Repel Insects and Pests
Coffee grounds contain compounds that many insects dislike, especially ants, fruit flies, and even slugs. Sprinkle used grounds around entry points, windowsills, or in garden soil near delicate plants. It’s a natural repellent and a mild deterrent. Not a complete solution, but if you’re looking for a gentle, non-toxic barrier, it’s worth a try. Just refresh the grounds after it rains or after watering outdoor plants.
3. Stop Shoes from Smelling
Coffee grounds are great at absorbing odors. Dry them out completely and then place them inside a breathable pouch or thin sock. Tuck one into each shoe and leave it overnight. The next day, your shoes will smell a lot less stale. This trick works well for closets, gym bags, and drawers too. It’s a simple way to freshen up small spaces using something you already have.
4. Touch Up Scratches on Dark Wood
When mixed with a little water to form a paste, used coffee grounds can help conceal scratches on dark wooden furniture. Dab the paste into the scratch, let it sit briefly, and wipe it away. It can help the scratch blend into the surrounding wood. This won’t fix deep damage, but it’s a handy, low-cost way to improve the look of worn surfaces without harsh chemicals.
5. Improve Your Compost
Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, which helps balance the carbon-heavy parts of your compost pile like dry leaves, cardboard, or straw. Just add your used grounds, along with the paper filter if it’s unbleached, and mix it all in. Over time, it’ll lead to richer compost for your garden or potted plants. It’s an easy, beneficial habit to build into your routine.
6. Neutralize Garbage Can Smells
Similar to the shoe idea, sprinkling dried coffee grounds at the bottom of your trash bin can help trap smells before they spread. Unlike sprays or scents that only mask the odor, coffee grounds actually absorb it. Replace them every few days or when you change the bag. You can also line a small container with a coffee filter, fill it with grounds, and tuck it in any musty spot around the house for the same effect.
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Saving your used coffee grounds doesn’t take much effort, and it can help you cut down on waste, freshen up your space, and stretch your household routine. It’s one of those small additions that adds up over time. So before you toss them, think twice. With a little creativity and consistency, those used grounds might just become one of your most useful leftovers.
Daniel Mitchell
