Used Coffee Grounds? We have Brew-tiful Solutions

If you’re like many of us, your day doesn’t truly start until you’ve had that first cup of coffee. But did you know those used coffee grounds are brimming with potential? Don’t toss them! From enriching your garden to scrubbing away grime, coffee grounds are a fantastic eco-friendly way to reduce waste and get some serious benefits. Let’s break it down: What can you do with used coffee grounds?

Boost Your Plants’ Buzz

Coffee grounds might be your garden’s new best friend. These little guys are full of nitrogen, an essential nutrient for plant growth. Mixing used grounds into your soil or compost pile will help improve soil structure, retain moisture, and even attract earthworms, which aerate the soil and help plants thrive. But go easy—while some plants (like roses, hydrangeas, and carrots) love a boost from acidic grounds, too much can overwhelm your garden beds. Balance is key!

Funk Fighters: Keep Stink at Bay

Used coffee grounds aren’t just for plants—they’re great for your nose, too! Their absorbent properties make them a natural deodorizer. Put a bowl of dried grounds in your fridge, next to your garbage can, or near the litter box to soak up unpleasant smells. It’s a cheap and chemical-free way to keep things fresh! Tip: recycle glass or plastic containers with metal or plastic lids for handy, spill-proof coffee ground containers. Drill small holes into the lids so the grounds can still work. Our family keeps a large recycled jar beside the coffee maker to keep the grounds in. When it's full, we pop a vented lid and place it where we want to keep odors at bay. Then, we put an empty jar back next to the coffee maker. This system makes it easy to cycle through the jars.

Scrub-A-Dub: Your Cutting Boards Will Thank You

We love wood cutting boards for their rustic charm and kitchen utility, but boy, do they hang on to smells and stains. Used coffee grounds make an excellent natural scrub. Their gritty texture helps lift those stubborn bits of garlic or onion without the need for harsh cleaners. Just sprinkle some grounds on the board, give it a good scrub with a damp cloth, and rinse. Goodbye, lingering smells! (No, your food won't take on a coffee scent or taste.)

Shine Up Your Sink

Those same coffee grounds work wonders on your kitchen sink. Is stainless steel looking a little dull? Give it a boost by using used grounds as a mild abrasive. Scrub gently in circular motions, and you’ll polish away stains without damaging the finish. Bonus: It helps clean up any grease or food particles stuck in the drain. Heads up: Always test this on porcelain or farmers' sinks before using.

A Few Quick Tips:

• Dry them out first: Spread coffee grounds out to dry before using them for anything other than compost. Wet grounds can mold quickly, and nobody wants that!

• Watch out for indoor plants: While coffee grounds are great for gardens, they can be a bit too strong for indoor plants in large amounts, so use sparingly.

• Use for outdoor pest control: Some gardeners swear by coffee grounds to keep slugs, snails, and even cats away from garden beds. We say it's worth a try!

Recycling used coffee grounds doesn’t just give you a greener thumb; it’s a small but mighty way to keep waste out of landfills while boosting your garden, scrubbing up your kitchen, and freshening your home. So go ahead—sip that coffee and then give those grounds a second life! Your plants, your nose, and your kitchen will thank you.