It's not just cold coffee! You think coffee grounds belong in the organic waste? You're not quite right! It can be reused in many ways and is a valuable household aid. So goodbye to the organic waste garbage can: We'll show you what uses there are for coffee grounds.
On average, we Germans drink 165 liters of coffee per year. Many people (myself included) are lured out of their cozy beds every morning by the smell of fresh coffee. I always start the day with a hot cup.
But after I finish my coffee and clean up the kitchen, one question keeps coming up: What do I do with the coffee grounds that are left over every day? Dispose of them?
Wrong!
Did you know that the remains of your morning energy giver are super versatile and full of rich ingredients? It's way too good to throw away!
There are countless uses for old coffee grounds. It is not waste, but cleaner, exfoliator, fertilizer and much more.
You'll now learn about the options for using coffee grounds and how to store them properly.
Why storage determines whether you can use coffee grounds
Coffee grounds are the ground, moist and somewhat sticky residue that remains in the filter after making coffee.
If you have ever touched it when disposing of it, you have certainly also thought: unappetizing, hurry away with it!
But the supposed rest is a real miracle cure.
We say: valorize instead of throwing away. The black and granular mass contains nutrients on the one hand and is slightly acidic on the other, which makes it the ideal plant fertilizer.
Before we tell you what else you can use the coffee grounds for, here are some tips for proper storage.
If you do not store the coffee grounds properly or do not prepare them, then the use of coffee grounds is finished. It begins to mold.
So pay close attention now.
How to store coffee grounds properly
You should always continue to use dry coffee grounds. If your coffee grounds are still wet, they will mold very quickly.
Before you spread out the coffee residue to dry, you should let it cool down properly. The fastest way to do this is to leave it open in a shallow container.
When the mixture is cold, spread it out on a baking sheet. Please be as thorough as possible. It is important that the ground residue dries properly.
The tray should be left open to the air for a few hours. This dries the coffee grounds for use.
Once the coffee grounds are completely dry, you can put them back into a closed container. This way, you can even collect coffee grounds over a longer period of time if you need them in larger quantities, such as for fertilizing.
What you can use coffee grounds for
We have already mentioned that the uses of coffee grounds are very diverse. It really should not end up in the organic waste at all!
Already in the 19th century, coffee grounds were used for cleaning and washing. Unfortunately, nowadays many do not know the countless and good properties of coffee grounds.
Whether you use it as fertilizer, for skin care, for cleaning or as a dye is entirely up to you. But one thing is certain: coffee grounds must be used.
We've done our research for you and brought the knowledge back from oblivion. Here are the best uses of coffee grounds:
Use coffee grounds to nourish the hair
If you stroll through the drugstore, you will certainly find countless caffeine shampoos. Caffeine is naturally contained in coffee residue. It strongly stimulates blood circulation, your scalp is better supplied with nutrients and the metabolic processes of the hair are activated.
The antioxidants make the hair stronger and stimulate your hair growth. Want a long, healthy and shiny mane of hair? Try using coffee grounds when washing your hair.
That is why coffee grounds are a miracle cure for hair!
Make fertilizer by using coffee grounds
You can use coffee grounds in various ways as an inexpensive and, above all, chemical-free fertilizer. The valuable nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are perfect for fertilizing plants.
The different nutrients stimulate flower and leaf growth. And also supports the stability and fruit ripening of the plants.
Even if you don't have your own garden paradise, your balcony or houseplants will be happy about the extra portion of nutrients.
You just have to keep in mind that your houseplants usually need fewer nutrients than those in the garden.
For indoor plants, you should brew the coffee grounds again and water your green friends with the coffee grounds water.
In the garden, you can use coffee grounds by mixing them thoroughly into the soil or spreading them on top of it.
If you have a compost pile, you can also work with coffee residue here. It attracts earthworms, which quickly consume leaves and return them as humus.
These plants benefit from coffee grounds!
How coffee grounds work as a scrub
Coffee not only tastes super delicious, the coffee grounds additionally care for the skin. I would clearly call this a win-win situation.
Young, fresh and radiant skin? No problem, if you use coffee grounds as a scrub.
You can find simple instructions for pleasant peelings here.
The fine abrasive particles in coffee grounds and the caffeine they contain are very nourishing for your skin.
Caffeine stimulates blood circulation and drains. Thus, the skin becomes plump and firm.
The small particles in the coffee grounds work like tiny grinding stones and remove impurities and dead skin. Your skin feels much more velvety and soft after a coffee grounds peeling.
Applied to your thighs, coffee grounds can also be a real miracle cure for pesky cellulite.
You can also use coffee grounds as a foot scrub. Especially if you like to wear open shoes, calluses and cracked heels are a no-go.
The rest of coffee is also great care for the lips in the form of a lip scrub.
With coffee grounds scrubs, you can help your skin renew itself and make it look fresh again.
Our secret tip: You can also use coffee grounds to mix an eye cream. The caffeine puts an end to tired eyes and thick puffy circles.
Here's what you need to know about DIY coffee scrub!
Use coffee grounds for cleaning and remove scratches
When it comes to cleaning and cleaning, the grainy coffee residue is an all-rounder!
If you use coffee grounds to remove stubborn dirt from burnt pots or pans or from the grate, it acts like scouring milk. Only it is cheaper and free of chemicals. The small abrasive particles grind away even stubborn dirt.
Moreover, the old coffee residue even has antibacterial and antiviral property.
These deposits in (narrow) flower vases, teapots or glass bottles always drive me crazy. Coffee grounds can also help here. Just pour in a little, add hot water and let it sit for an hour. You give the vessels a cleansing peeling and save yourself the hassle of scrubbing.
You can also use coffee grounds to clean your fireplace. A fireplace gives you the most wonderful cozy feeling on cool winter evenings. Cleaning it, on the other hand, is a dusty gauntlet.
Here is the solution: Put still wet coffee grounds on the ashes. This way you can remove them without problems and don't get lost in a cloud of dust.
SOS help in a pinch: You have an unsightly scratch in the floor or on the cabinet? For dark woods, using coffee grounds may be the solution to the problem. Sounds incredible, I know.
The coffee grounds darken the scratch, fill it in and seal it with the oil they contain. Thus, small grooves should be invisible again in no time.
Of course, coffee grounds don't just dye wood joints. You can also use it to dye fabrics, craft paper or Easter eggs.
Coffee grounds neutralize odors
For me, the smell of freshly ground coffee is a real treat. The dried coffee grounds magically attract foreign smells.
You probably know it too: You have a moldy cheese in the refrigerator or a half-sliced onion and everything smells like it. It's no fun to open the fridge like that.
Solution: the use of coffee grounds. Put bowl in your refrigerator overnight.
It looks at the unpleasant odors like a magnet and neutralizes them. Thus, the stench is not only covered, but thoroughly removed.
Speaking of cutting onions, your fingers always smell very strong afterwards. You can simply rub your hands with coffee grounds and they smell neutral again.
It can also do wonders for smelly shoes. Sprinkle a little coffee grounds and let it work overnight. The smell of sweat is neutralized and your shoe is immediately ready for use again after removing the coffee residue.
Expel animals with coffee grounds
By using coffee grounds, you can send pests and pesky insects running for the hills.
Snails can move very poorly on the granular mass. So you can keep them away from your beloved heads of lettuce, for example.
Ants can also be driven away, as the coffee residue neutralizes their scent trails. The little animals thus lose their orientation.
In summer, the smoke from coffee grounds is a good way to keep wasps and mosquitoes at bay. The smell of smoldering coffee grounds is hardly noticeable to us humans. So you can finally relax and sit outside in the summer!
A plus: Here, too, you do not use chemicals or harm the animals from a radical way. Top!
Tenderize meat with coffee grounds
Attention! Attention! To all amateur cooks among us. Salt, acids and enzymes naturally tenderize meat. In coffee you will find two of the natural "softeners", acids and enzymes.
The coffee grounds also give the meat a special flavor and a delicious, crispy and dark crust when seared. You can use coffee grounds as a marinade or soak the meat in re-brewed coffee grounds for a day in the refrigerator.
Trust me, this will be a delicate and delicious flavor explosion!
Use coffee grounds to get a glimpse of the future
Using coffee grounds as an oracle has become a real classic these days.
In oriental countries, reading coffee grounds from the bottom of a cup has a long tradition.
Especially mocha leaves a lot of coffee grounds and it is well suited.
Whether you're into esotericism or want to try something new, there are plenty of interpretations and instructions on how to read from coffee grounds.
If you are interested in esotericism and astrology, have a look here.
One thing we can say for sure in conclusion: coffee grounds are a true miracle cure and you should definitely keep using them.
This is how you can interpret your future with coffee grounds!
Our conclusion
Coffee grounds are definitely not just old coffee! In this country, we produce 20 million tons of the valuable coffee grounds every year. You can use coffee grounds for so many useful things. It offers you great added value in the garden, in the household and for you personally.
As of today, the motto is: Upgrade instead of throwing away. And with us you will find the best instructions for your coffee grounds project. Take a look!
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