Creative ways to repurpose used coffee grounds and filters

If you are drinking coffee at home on the daily, then you will be going through a lot of coffee filters & coffee grounds. What can you use them for?

When we think of coffee, usually it means we are craving a delicious piping hot (or ice-y cold) beverage that will put some spring in our step and a smile on our face!

There are other uses for coffee filters and coffee grounds that could help you hack some other areas of your life, and may even surprise you!

If you are a filter coffee lover, there are other ways you can utilise your coffee filters around the home. Check these out!

COFFEE FILTERS

If you are drinking coffee at home on the daily, then you will be going through a lot of coffee filters. Did you know you actually use them for other purposes?

Used coffee filters uses:

+ Use them again for another coffee

Did you know that most coffee filters can actually be reused three or four times before they need to be replaced? That means that next time you make a pot of coffee, don’t throw out the used filter – just rinse it off and stick it back in the coffee machine. For best results, rinse off the filter and let it dry before reuse.

 

+ Lining flower pots 

Place a coffee filter in the pot before filling it with dirt to keep the soil from coming out of the hole in the bottom. Just take a filter and put it on the bottom of the pot. It’ll let the water drain through, but will keep the dirt, the soil, and the gravel in the pot.

 

+ Seedling case

Soak your seeds in a coffee filter to help them sprout. The filter will absorb the water and keep the seeds warm, which is ideal for sprouting. Keep them in a dark place for a while so they can sprout properly. Once they’ve sprouted, you can transfer them to a more traditional growing medium.

 

+ Arts and Crafts

Used coffee filters can add a unique touch to all kinds of craft and art projects. Their natural aged patina gives them a unique look that can really make your project stand out.

Projects like garlands of coffee filter flowers, collaged eco art, and even high-end decorator lampshades are enjoyed by both kids and adults. These projects are not only fun to make, but they’re also eco-friendly and can be used to spruce up your home decor.

Other uses for new coffee filters include:

+ Cleaning glass

Since they’re lint free, coffee filters won’t leave paper residue behind. Just make sure you don’t use them to brew coffee before cleaning with them! Spray some cleaner on the filter, and use it to clean windows and mirrors, even the windshield of your car.

 

+ Microwaving food

Flatten the coffee filter out and use it to cover plates and bowls when microwaving, the filter will catch any spatters and keep the inside of your microwave oven very clean.

 

+ Packing and Storage

Put one or more coffee filters between your dishes and glasses when packing to prevent breakage. Also, coffee filters are great to use between Christmas ornaments when storing.

 

COFFEE GROUNDS

Creative ways to repurpose used coffee grounds

Finished with your morning cuppa?

Don’t throw away your used coffee grounds just yet, they are great for lots of different things around your home and garden. If you want to use a lot at a time ask your local café for theirs at the end of service, or if you come past CFTP Roasting Co at closing time we leave them out the front in a garbage bag for customers to take and make use of. 

 

Here are some suggestions on how to use those coffee grounds

Instead of wasting room in your garbage bin:

+ Fertiliser

Coffee grounds make great fertiliser because they contain several key nutrients required for the ultimate health and growth of plants. They can also help attract worms and decrease the concentrations of heavy metals in the soil.  Adding compost to your garden can greatly improve the health of your plants. Coffee grounds can even help increase nutrient levels and decrease the greenhouse gas emissions of your compost.

 

+ Keep the bugs away

Coffee grounds also contain compounds that are toxic to lots of different insects. You can use your coffee grounds to keep mosquitos, fruit flies, beetles, and other pests away from your garden.

 

+ Flea treatment

Similarly, to other insects, fleas do not like coffee. Giving your pet a relaxing bath scrubbing session in used coffee grounds may help keep fleas at bay, and give them an extra few pats!

 

+ Odour neutraliser

Coffee grounds help absorb and eliminate odours from your refrigerator, gym bag or even smelly shoes. Using them as a hand scrub can also help remove lingering smells from cooking with onion or garlic.

 

+ Cleaner

Coffee grounds can be used as an abrasive cleaner. They can help sanitize and remove build-up from sinks, cookware, grills and other surfaces around the house.

 

You can use coffee grounds to scour your pots and pans. Their abrasive texture helps scrape away caked-on food.

 

+ Exfoliant

Coffee grounds can be repurposed into an exfoliating scrub for your face and body. They help remove dirt and dead skin cells and promote overall skin health.

 

+ Dye

Used coffee grounds are a great natural alternative to harsh chemical dyes. Simply rewet them and use them to dye paper (need to make an antique looking pirates map for a child’s crafting project?) wood or fabric or darken brunette hair.

 

+ Fireplace cleaner

Use coffee grounds to weigh down the ashes in your fireplace before cleaning. This makes for easier ash removal and less mess, winning!

 

+ Tenderiser

Coffee grounds contain natural acids and enzymes that help tenderize meat and enhance its flavour.

 

+ Hair Growth stimulant

Exfoliating your scalp with used coffee grounds can help remove dead skin cells and product build-up and may even speed up hair growth. Let us know how you go with this one!

 

+ Wood cleaner

You can use coffee grounds to buff out scratches on wooden furniture and darken them to match your existing finish.

 

+ Gardening

When combined with adequate moisture, coffee grounds seem to be an ideal growing environment for mushrooms.

 

+ Anti Aging

Coffee grounds contain caffeine and antioxidants. When applied to the skin, they can help prevent aging and reduce the appearance of dark under-eye circles and puffiness.

 

Did you like our ideas for how to reuse coffee grounds and coffee filters? Or did we leave something off the list? Let us know in the comments below. Or send us an email.