Updated February 23, 2025
At Everyday People, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Instead of tossing out your used coffee grounds, why not put them to good use? Every year, tons of coffee grounds end up in landfills, yet they have numerous practical benefits. From gardening to skincare, here are 10 smart and sustainable ways to repurpose your coffee grounds.
1. Use Coffee Grounds as a Natural Fertilizer
Enrich your soil by adding used coffee grounds, which contain essential minerals like nitrogen, potassium, calcium, and iron. These nutrients support plant growth and improve soil quality. Coffee grounds also help attract earthworms, which naturally aerate the soil. Simply sprinkle them in your garden beds or mix them into compost for an eco-friendly fertilizer.
2. Repel Pests Naturally
Ditch chemical pesticides and use coffee grounds to keep unwanted insects away. The strong aroma repels mosquitoes, beetles, flies, and even snails. Sprinkle used grounds around your plants to create a protective barrier against garden pests.
3. Exfoliate Your Skin
Coffee grounds are an excellent natural exfoliant. Mix them with coconut oil to create a DIY body scrub that removes dead skin cells and leaves your skin feeling smooth. The antioxidants in coffee also help rejuvenate the skin, making this a great eco-friendly beauty hack.
4. Eliminate Unpleasant Odors
Used coffee grounds are a powerful odor neutralizer. Place a small dish of dried grounds in your refrigerator, shoes, or gym bag to absorb unwanted smells. For an easy DIY air freshener, place coffee grounds in a breathable sachet and hang it in closets or cars.
5. Create Natural Dye for Fabrics & Hair
Looking for a chemical-free dye? Coffee grounds can give fabric, paper, and even hair a rich brown tint. Use them for DIY tie-dye projects or as a natural rinse to enhance dark hair color and add shine.
6. Repair Scratched Furniture
Restore wooden furniture by making a simple paste using coffee grounds and water. Apply the mixture to scratches, let it sit for 10–15 minutes, and buff it out with a cloth. The natural tint helps blend scratches seamlessly with dark wood finishes.
7. Scrub Stubborn Pots and Pans
Tackle tough grease and grime with coffee grounds! Their abrasive texture makes them perfect for scrubbing dirty pots and pans without damaging surfaces. Just sprinkle some grounds onto your cookware and scrub away.
8. Enhance DIY Craft Projects
Get creative with coffee grounds in craft projects! Use them to create texture in paintings, as faux sand, or to give paper an aged, antique look. Kids will love the sensory experience of working with this eco-friendly material.
9. Deodorize and Clean Drains
If your kitchen sink has an unpleasant odor, coffee grounds can help. Mix them with hot water and pour them down the drain to neutralize smells and help prevent minor clogs. Follow up with a flush of boiling water to clear residue.
10. Make Homemade Coffee Soap
For a unique, exfoliating soap, mix melted glycerin with coffee grounds and pour the blend into a heat-resistant mold. Once hardened, you’ll have an all-natural soap bar that’s perfect for scrubbing and moisturizing.
Reduce Waste & Embrace a Greener Lifestyle
Instead of throwing away used coffee grounds, try incorporating these sustainable hacks into your routine. Not only will you minimize waste, but you'll also enjoy a range of practical benefits for your home, garden, and beauty regimen. Start reusing your coffee grounds today and make a positive impact on the environment!
