Many of us have one and only one thing on our minds when we wake up in the morning: COFFEE. For many, the question of what to do with those leftover grounds always arises. Do you just throw them out? No! Did you know there are amazing ways to Use Used Coffee Grounds?

The smell of the glorious coffee bean is enough to rouse many of us from our sleep. Whether your preferred brewing method is a pour over for that delicious, ritualistic single cup, or a 12-cup pot that stays warm all morning and is there whenever you need it, we all have something in common. Some people like to use them in their garden and for their potted plants. Others have used them to mix up a stain for furniture and concrete countertops. But there are other uses, too.

6 Ways to Recycle Used Coffee Grounds

  1. Odor Neutralizer

    Place a small bowl of dried coffee grounds in your freezer to neutralize any unwanted odors.

  2. Soap

    What’s better than a hot shower to wake you up in the morning? A hot shower with caffeinated soap. That’s right, use your leftover grounds as an ingredient in your next bar of homemade soap.

  3. Abrasive Cleaning Agent

    Toss a few teaspoons of coffee grounds into that greasy, grimy fry pan from last night’s pork chops and scour it with a clean, thin dishrag. You’ll be amazed at how well this simple remedy works.

  4. Pest Repellent

    We love natural solutions to unwanted pests. Try sprinkling coffee grounds around problem areas. At your current rate of consumption, how long would it take you to sprinkle grounds all the way around the exterior of your house?

  5. Ash Control

    This summer, when you are cleaning out your fireplace in preparation for the first fall fire, consider sprinkling grounds around the collected ash before sweeping it up. This strategy helps reduce the amount of air born dust.

  6. Exfoliant

    Grab a handful of grounds whenever you need a little exfoliation. The grounds help remove dead skin and eliminate odors that may be on your hands after a night of cooking with garlic. You may also want to consider some DIY facial scrubs featuring this versatile vestige of your morning cup ‘O Joe.

Don’t drink coffee but still want to experiment with the list below? Many coffee shops will also gift you, free of charge, their used coffee grounds. How’s that for recycling!?

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