7 Surprising Ways to Reuse Your Coffee Grounds

As coffee lovers, many of us brew at least one cup a day, sometimes more. But once we’ve enjoyed that delicious brew, most of us toss the used coffee grounds straight into the bin. What if we told you those leftover grounds still have plenty of life in them? From enriching your garden soil to deodorising your fridge, coffee grounds are surprisingly versatile. Here’s how to make the most of them instead of sending them to landfill.

1. Enrich Your Garden Soil

Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, an essential nutrient for plant growth. When added to compost or directly into garden soil, they improve structure and help retain moisture. Mix your used grounds with other organic waste like vegetable peels, eggshells, or grass clippings. The result is a nutrient-rich compost that will help your plants thrive.

If you’re applying them directly to the soil, use a light hand. Coffee grounds are slightly acidic and best used around acid-loving plants like tomatoes, blueberries, roses, or hydrangeas. Always mix them into the top layer of soil to avoid clumping, which can prevent water penetration.

2. Natural Pest Repellent

Coffee’s strong smell can help deter pests like slugs, snails, and ants. Simply sprinkle used, dried coffee grounds around your plants or along doorways and windowsills. Many gardeners swear by this natural repellent. It’s safer than chemical solutions and better for the environment.

You can also mix the grounds with a bit of orange or lemon peel for extra effectiveness against mosquitoes and other insects.

3. Deodorise Your Home

Coffee grounds have a powerful ability to absorb odours. Keep a bowl of dried coffee grounds in your fridge or freezer to neutralise smells from strong foods like garlic, onions, or fish. You can also place some in a small, breathable sachet and tuck it into your shoes, gym bag, or wardrobe to keep things fresh.

Coffee’s natural oils trap and neutralise unwanted scents rather than just masking them, which makes this a great low-waste option for home deodorising.

4. Exfoliating Scrub for Skin

The slightly abrasive texture of coffee grounds makes them ideal for DIY exfoliating scrubs. Combined with a few kitchen staples, you can make a natural skincare product that removes dead skin cells and leaves your skin feeling soft and refreshed.

Here’s a simple recipe:

• 1/4 cup used coffee grounds (dried)

• 1/4 cup coconut oil or olive oil

• Optional: a few drops of essential oil (lavender or peppermint work well)

Mix together and gently scrub onto damp skin in circular motions, then rinse thoroughly. Use up to twice a week. Avoid using on broken or irritated skin.

5. Neutralise Odours on Hands

Chopped garlic or onions often leave your hands smelling long after you’ve finished cooking. Rubbing your hands with used coffee grounds can help remove those stubborn food smells. Just take a teaspoon of grounds, rub them between your palms for 30 seconds, and rinse off with warm water and a little soap.

It’s a simple, effective trick, and your hands will smell fresh again in no time.

6. DIY Household Cleaner

Thanks to their gentle abrasiveness, coffee grounds can be used to scrub pots, pans, stovetops, and even grills. Unlike steel wool, which can scratch surfaces, coffee grounds clean effectively without damaging most materials.

To use them, simply sprinkle a small amount of used (and dried) grounds onto the surface or onto a damp sponge and scrub. Rinse thoroughly afterwards. Avoid using coffee grounds on porous or light-colored surfaces, as they may stain.

7. Fertiliser for Indoor Plants

Your houseplants need love too. A small pinch of dried coffee grounds can provide nutrients and help with water retention in potting soil. You can mix it directly into the soil once a month or make a weak liquid fertiliser by steeping used grounds in water for a few days and using the liquid to water your plants.

Be cautious not to overdo it. Too much can lead to mould growth or overly acidic soil, which some houseplants don’t tolerate well.

Tips for Storing Used Coffee Grounds

Before you reuse your grounds, make sure they’re completely dry. Damp grounds can grow mould quickly, especially if stored in an airtight container. Spread them out on a baking tray or a piece of parchment paper and let them dry naturally before using or storing.

Keep your dried grounds in a sealed jar or container in a cool, dry place, just like any pantry item.

Small Habit, Big Impact

Reusing your coffee grounds is a small change that contributes to a more sustainable lifestyle. Instead of adding to waste, you’re giving those grounds a second life, whether it’s in your garden, your skincare routine, or your home.

In the specialty coffee world, we talk a lot about traceability and respect for the hands that grow our beans. Finding ways to use the whole product, beyond the cup, honours that philosophy. Plus, it’s satisfying to know that your morning brew continues to be useful long after the last sip.

So next time you brew a batch, don’t throw those grounds away. Reuse them. Share them. Compost them. There’s more to your coffee than meets the eye.