Recycled Tip of the Day - Ways to Reuse Coffee Grounds

Posted on July 31, 2008 by Allie

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Split Bean Coffee News has some great suggestions. Here are a few:

  • Mix with the soil around acid loving outdoor plants (azaleas, laurel, rhododendrons), or mix with water to give a boost to your houseplants.
  • Use wet or dry to scrub pots, pans, or a dirty sink
  • Rub on hands to get rid of onion and garlic smells
  • Sprinkle dried grounds on icy sidewalks to prevent slipping

CocoaJava has some great recommendations too!

  • Use coffee grounds as a facial treatment like a mudpack
  • Steeped grounds and a cotton swab can be used to touch up scratched furniture
  • Dry grounds. Tie in old pantyhose and use as an air freshener

7 Comments +

  1. I’ve got one for ya: Pour ground coffee over vomit on an airplane. Kills the smell. Ask me how I know that one!

    July 31st, 2008 at 5:15 pm
    Comment by Nature Deva
  2. my apartment currently smells like coffee, popcorn, scallops, and a homeless dude (and yes, all 4 items have been present this past week). i rather enjoy the smell of coffee, perhaps i can rub the grinds all over the walls to get rid of the smell?

    July 31st, 2008 at 5:17 pm
    Comment by kir
  3. I read somewhere that you can use coffee grounds as a cellulite treatment.

    July 31st, 2008 at 5:27 pm
    Comment by Ana
  4. Awesome.
    I always use dump mine around plants and flowerbeds, but that furniture one is really clever. My kids ensure I have plenty of test spots to try it out on.

    July 31st, 2008 at 7:01 pm
    Comment by Amy
  5. I have used it to deter snails in my garden. But it has to have caffeine, no decaf. They don’t like thet caffeine buzz.

    July 31st, 2008 at 10:18 pm
    Comment by Allison
  6. [...] Tip of the Day - Ways to Reuse Coffee Grounds. Since I always just threw them in the garden or in a composter, these are some helpful extra [...]

    August 1st, 2008 at 1:00 pm
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  7. I’m a bit late on this one, but had to get it in. I save my grounds, mix them with some body oil, like jojoba or grapeseed, a bit of vegetable glycerin and an equal or so amount fine sea salt. It makes a FANTASTIC body scrub. But your bath tub will get a bit messy. I love smelling like a cup of coffee in the shower!

    August 8th, 2008 at 5:39 am
    Comment by Rachel

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Tip of the Day

Bring Your Own Utensils

I carry a titanium backpacking spork around in my purse.  I know that sounds kind of weird, but it saves me from using disposable utensils when I eat out, and it’s so light, I never even notice that I’m carrying it.

Before the Industrail Revolution it was common for guests to be expected to bring their own utensils with them when invited to dine, because utensils were expensive, labor intensive items, and most people didn’t own extra sets.  Now, when it’s possible to buy a set of 1,000 plastic utensils for under $20, people don’t even think about bringing their own.

But think of the plastic waste that can be saved by slipping a fork from home in your purse on the way out the door.  You don’t need anything fancy.  Grab one from your kitchen drawer, or if you’re worried about loosing a piece of a set, pick up a few spare utensils the next time you hit a discount store, thrift shop, or yard sale.  It’s simple a simple way to cut down waste, and it’s always nicer to eat with real utensils anyway.

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