Does anyone know what to do with used coffee grounds from my filter machine? Not sure, but I think you can use them, when dried, to unblock a sink. Any other environmentally friendly ideas please?
Cettina from Malta, Europe
Recycle your used coffee grounds by sprinkling them around acid-loving plants, such as azaleas, laurels and rhododendron. (03/02/2005)
By Cynthia
Anything that is natural can be broken down and reuse by nature. Put it into A compost pile. I have heard of people using coffee grounds to make wood stains. Most likely by artists. We all know it does stain.
(03/02/2005)
Make sure when you sprinkle them around plants you don't have a dog who will go and eat them as soon as you turn your back! Mine did and luckily didn't eat enough to warrant a trip to the vet. The little sneak waited until I got into the house and closed the door and then climbed up into my vegetable barrels to eat the coffee. Luckily I saw him and was able to pry some of the grounds (espresso) out of his little mouth! I didn't think he could reach them. (03/03/2005)
By guest
I also put them around my rose bushes, they love it! (03/03/2005)
By Michelle
I remember my grandmother used to use them for cleaning bacon grease out of pans. (03/03/2005)
By Laura
I put coffee grounds by my sliding door that leads to the patio and any other places that ants might get into the house. Walla - no ant problem! (05/08/2005)
By Toni Krys
Used coffee grounds are good as fridge deodorizers. Just place in an unopened container (like an old cottage cheese tub) and place in back of fridge. Once they are all dried out, dump into your compost.
(05/25/2005)
By Marvel
I use them all over the back yard. Especially in the garden. (05/25/2005)
By Joyce
Not only can you use used coffee grounds for staining wood, but they work great for coloring hand-made baskets as well. (05/25/2005)
My grand and I are staining wooden angels for Christmas. Can coffe grounds work on growing lavender? (12/20/2005)
By JoJo.
I got a kick out of seeing your web page. I've been talking to the wife about the grounds because I drink a ton off coffee a day and I hate to throw out the used grounds because I've heard people talk about using them for things,but I forgot what they were used for. So that's why your web site got to me, is there more uses? Put them on the web or make a magazine or book and sell it. Thanks again (01/03/2006)
By William
Thanks for the coffee grounds reuse. I've been throwing them away but this changes my cycle with them. Thanks again.( (01/05/2006)
By Bil
Could you use coffee grounds to stain wooden spoons? Is it food-user friendly? How would you go about doing it.
Thanks, Richard T.
Editor's Note: Richard, coffee Grounds should be safe to stain any food related items. You might be better off boiling them, then using the dark brew (after removing the grounds) to stain them. (01/24/2006)
You can also stain cloth with tea as well as using coffee. I saw this done on Trading Spaces. They stained curtain fabric with tea to give it an aged appearance. Neat and cheap idea. (01/24/2006)
Thanks for the info. I'll give it a try. Very interesting web site.
Thanks (01/24/2006)
By Richard T.
Can you burn coffee grounds? Like tie them in paper and use them as firestarters?
Editor's Note: This sounds like it would work. Make sure they are dry but I've heard of logs made from coffee grounds so I think this would work. Let us know how it turns out. (12/04/2006)
By April
I have some old wooden picture frames and I wanted to sand the paint off them. Could I use coffee to stain these as well? (02/28/2007)
By Candace
Pour coffee grounds out where you need fishing worms or just want worms to stir in the ground. Coffee grounds provide food for worms and I have had lots of worms from doing this...I had a friend who used them in homemade worm beds. (04/13/2007)
By Ava
Some of the most beautiful roses I have ever seen, the owner swore by her used coffee grounds being put around her rose bushes. But not against the bush or they would burn it, she said.
Martha's wisdom (04/13/2007)
By martha pitts
Do NOT put them down your drain. They will create one of the worst clogs you have ever had. It's an urban myth that they will clear your drains. They will actually cling to any grease in the pipes and eventually create a very bad blockage. They are great for compost, keeping bugs away from your tomatoes in the garden, in place of ice on snowy sidewalks, but never down the drain. (04/13/2007)
By SheilaMay
We sprinkle ours out over our lawn where there is a "bald spot". Given a few days and the grass is growing and spreading out there and really green! I did not beleive this UNTIL we tried it but it does work! I got the idea from these folks and their web site! (04/14/2007)
By Paula Jo
Chuck them on the compost heap! (05/23/2007)
Dry out the coffee grounds in the oven. Just dry them, don't roast them! Then add 50% fresh coffee grounds. Brew. You may be pleasantly surprised! (06/03/2007)
By planetiowa
Best coffee trick ever. Next time you go and wash your hands add a small amount of coffee grounds. They are great at absorbing grease or oils; also they exfoliate your skin leavening them so smooth and will leave your hands with a slight coffee smell. Yum
(06/16/2007)
By Coffee nut
Cettina - from Malta - Do not put coffee grounds in your kitchen drain! If there is any grease in the drain, the grounds will just adhere to the grease and clog the whole thing. I speak from (unfortunate) experience. (09/08/2007)
By SUSI
I read on a website (which sadly no longer exists) that used coffee grounds can be used for the stuffing inside pin cushions. They keep the pins rust-free!
Also, you can fill cheesecloth or old nylon knee-highs with the used grounds and hang in closets or use in cars to reduce odors. (10/07/2007)
By Dan
I think I read somewhere that used coffee grounds could be used in the washing machine to bring back the rich color in faded black clothing. Does anyone know if that's true? I wonder if the grounds would clog up the machine and/or pipes. (11/20/2007)
By Susan
Cellulite reducer. Mix 1/4 cup warm, used coffee grounds and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. While standing over an old towel or newspaper, apply the mixture to your "problem areas". Next, wrap the areas with shrink wrap and leave on for several minutes. Unwind the wrap, brush loose grounds off your skin and then shower with warm water. For best results, it is recommended to repeat this procedure twice a week. A little weird to be sure, but as high priced cellulite creams have coffee in them, it just might work. (05/04/2008)
By Deb
I recently found a recipe in a kids craft book that recommended using them for art projects. I had always used flour water and salt, but I like the idea of reusing my coffee grounds. :)
COFFEE GROUND DOUGH
By Lynn
I used them in my garden around the base of the evergreen tree and it grew a more beautiful green, thicker and healthier. Just keep away from the bark of the tree. Leaf compost around an evergreen do a great job too. (11/24/2008)
By Vanessa
Used coffee grounds are close to a neutral PH as most of the acids are water soluble and washed out when making your morning cup of joe. They are a great fertilizer for just about any plant acid loving or not. If you can get a bunch of them just broadcast then over your yard as a free organic fertilizer. Your grass will thank you with lush green growth and your soil will thank you for the bounty of worms and other helpful organisms they will attract to your soil. (12/14/2008)
By Jeremy
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