March 22, 2025, 2:46 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
Instead of simply disposing of coffee grounds, they can be used in a variety of ways. They are full of valuable nutrients and can be used as a household remedy in the garden and kitchen. But what can they be used for?
Coffee grounds are a real miracle cure in the garden. As a natural fertilizer, they provide plants with important minerals and promote growth. In the kitchen, they are a practical helper for cleaning and are also ideal for small beauty tricks. In this article, you will find out what other coffee grounds can be used as a household remedy.
Coffee Grounds for Fertilizing Plants
Before using coffee grounds as fertilizer in the garden, it is essential to dry them to prevent mold growth. To do this, simply spread the coffee grounds out on a plate or baking tray and leave them to air dry for a few hours. You should also make sure that you dispose of the coffee grounds correctly.
Coffee grounds have a slightly acidifying effect on the soil and are, therefore, particularly suitable for plants such as blueberries or rhododendrons, which prefer slightly acidic soil. However, different plants need to be cared for differently, so there are also plants that should not be fertilized with coffee grounds. However, whether it can also be used as a fertilizer for the lawn is questionable and depends heavily on the condition of your lawn.
Coffee Grounds for Pest Control
The caffeine in coffee grounds acts as a natural neurotoxin on many animals and deters them — an effective protection against mosquitoes or snails, which often nibble on vegetables such as lettuce. Simply sprinkle a ring of coffee grounds around the affected plants and the pests will stay away without harming them.
Ants can also be kept at bay with coffee grounds: Simply sprinkle it on the little creepy-crawlies’ routes. The coffee grounds block their scent trails and make them lose their orientation. Dogs and cats also often avoid beds covered with coffee grounds. However, you should be careful with young dogs or cats that like to eat everything and refrain from scattering coffee grounds.
Coffee Grounds to Repel Wasps
If wasps are disturbing your afternoon, coffee grounds can be the solution. Wasps don’t like its smell and avoid it. Simply light three to four spoons of dried coffee grounds in a fireproof container and leave to smolder. Caution: The coffee grounds get quite hot, so be careful.
Simply place the container with the smoldering coffee grounds in the main approach direction of the wasps. The rising smoke will drive the animals away, and you can enjoy your afternoon cake or grilled sausage in peace.
Coffee Grounds as a Natural Cleaner for the Home
Coffee grounds can also be a natural alternative to chemical scouring agents. Thanks to the abrasive particles, even stubborn dirt can be easily removed.
Whether pots, pans, or grill grates — simply put some coffee grounds on a damp sponge and scrub away the incrustations. They can also be used to gently polish vases, teapots, or stains on wooden furniture. A real all-rounder for cleaning the whole house!
And if you have a fireplace, you can also benefit from coffee grounds: If the coffee grounds are still warm and moist, they are ideal for binding dust and ash. Simply add some damp coffee grounds to the ashes before you take them out of the fireplace — this significantly reduces dust and makes disposal much easier.
Get Rid of Wood Scratches with Coffee Grounds
Small scratches in dark wooden furniture can be easily repaired with coffee grounds. Moisten the coffee grounds slightly and apply them directly to the scratch using a cotton bud or sponge. The coffee grounds fill the grooves and the oil they contain ensures that the scratch becomes invisible.
Coffee Grounds as a Homemade Body Scrub
Many anti-cellulite care products contain caffeine as it stimulates blood circulation and dilates the blood vessels. With a little olive oil and coffee grounds, you can easily make an inexpensive but equally effective anti-cellulite scrub yourself. The ground coffee grains provide an exfoliating effect that makes the skin smoother and firmer.
And best of all, just like the improved blood circulation, the coffee ground scrub also ensures a healthy complexion. The skin looks fresh and radiant, and the exfoliating effect removes dead skin cells, promotes cell renewal, and leaves a more even skin texture.
Coffee Grounds as a Caffeine Shampoo
Caffeine shampoos are now available from many manufacturers and promise to combat hair loss by stimulating hair growth. One positive effect that is visible when using caffeine shampoo or coffee grounds is increased luminosity and a new shine.
To use, simply take half a handful of coffee grounds and massage them into wet hair. It is particularly important that the coffee grounds reach the scalp in order to stimulate the hair roots and achieve the full effect.
Coffee Grounds as a Coloring Agent
Coffee grounds have a coloring effect that is perfect for dyeing Easter eggs. But they are also ideal for dyeing fabrics or craft paper. Simply dissolve the coffee grounds in lukewarm water and dip the Easter eggs or other materials in it. This creates natural, beautiful colors — without any chemicals.
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Combat Unpleasant Odors with Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds can neutralize unpleasant odors in the home in a simple and natural way. For example, it helps to eliminate cheese odors in the fridge: simply place a bowl of fresh coffee grounds in the fridge overnight. The coffee grounds absorb the odor molecules and leave behind a fresh scent.
Coffee grounds are also a great household remedy after chopping onions. Rub your hands with the grounds and then rinse them with water — the onion smell disappears immediately. And coffee grounds are also ideal for sweat odors in shoes: sprinkle the dry powder into the shoes and leave it to work overnight. The next morning, the smell will be gone, and the shoes will smell fresh again.