10 Creative Uses for Used Coffee Grounds: A Roaster's Guide

As a coffee roaster, we often get asked what to do with used coffee grounds. People want to know if they can compost them, use them for skin care, or even drink them! While all of those things are possible, we wanted to share 10 creative and non-toxic ways to use your used coffee grounds. From adding them to your garden soil to using them as a natural insect repellent, there are plenty of ways to put those old grounds to good use!
 

What to do with coffee grounds

There are several ways that you can use your coffee grounds, depending on what you want to get out of them. Here are 10 creative ideas:

1. Compost them:

   Coffee grounds make an excellent addition to compost piles because they help break down organic matter. Not only will they help your compost pile break down faster, but they will also add nitrogen, potassium, and magnesium to the mix.
    

2. Use them for skin care:

   Coffee grounds are a great exfoliator and can be used to get rid of dead skin cells. Mix coffee grounds with a little bit of olive oil or honey to create a paste, and then use it as a scrub.
    

3. Add them to your garden soil:

   Coffee grounds are a great way to add nitrogen and magnesium to your garden soil. They also help suppress fungus growth and repel pests. Sprinkle coffee grounds around the base of your plants or mix them in with your compost pile.
    

4. Make a natural insect repellent:

   Bugs have an excellent sense of smell. Coffee grinds are extremely effective as a repellent against pests since they are so strong. When burned, coffee grounds reach their peak potency according to the EPA. Simply place the coffee grounds in a bowl on a flat surface outside and burn them like incense.
    

5. Use them as mulch:

   coffee grounds make a great mulch for plants because they help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
    

6. Coffee-infused garden fertilizer:

   Combine coffee grounds, eggshells, and banana peels to make a powerful garden fertilizer.
    

7. Deodorize your fridge:

   Place a bowl of coffee grounds in your fridge to absorb unpleasant smells.
    

8. Make a natural air freshener:

   Combine coffee grounds with vanilla extract or other essential oils to make a natural air freshener.
    

9. Remove grease from pans:

   Add coffee grounds to a pan filled with hot water and dish soap. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes, then scrub the pan clean.
    

10. Coffee-infused ice cream:

    Combine coffee grounds and heavy cream in a saucepan. Cook over low heat until the coffee grounds are dissolved, then strain out the grounds and freeze the mixture in an ice cream maker.

The bottom line

Used coffee grounds can be put to many uses, both in the home and outside of it. We’ve shared just 10 of them here, but there are plenty of other ways to use them. If you have any ideas that we didn’t mention, feel free to share them in the comments section below!

Kunjani is a specialty coffee roaster located in Naples, FL, and has been at the forefront of providing quality coffee for over 6 years now. Our team would love to help you with all your coffee needs, from supplying you with freshly roasted beans to helping you create the perfect cup of coffee. Purchase our coffee online today and start enjoying the delicious taste and aroma of our specialty coffee!