Before you empty out your leftover coffee or throw out the coffee grounds, we asked our readers to help us compile 20 genius uses to recycle your coffee and coffee grounds.
One of our readers said, “Leftover coffee? That would be like having leftover money! there is none.”
Navigate This Article
Uses for Leftover Coffee
#1. Stain wood
Dab a cloth in coffee and run it over scratches in your wood furniture or hardwood floor. The coffee will stain the scratch and help blend it in. You can also mix it with a little vinegar and warm water.
#2. Soak a dirty grill
The acid in the coffee will help cut through the grease on your grill and make cleaning easier.
#3. Make iced coffee
Store leftover coffee in a pitcher in your refrigerator and make coffee ice cubes so your drink will not get diluted.
#4. Add a little bit to your oatmeal
Instead of milk, add coffee to your oatmeal for a stronger flavor.
#5. Add a little to your chili
Do this for a warm flavor. I make it in the crockpot and add about a quarter cup. You can find recipes that recommend adding even more.
#6. Add it to chocolate cake or brownies recipes
To replace some of the liquid in the recipe for a strong delicious flavor, use coffee.
#7. Add a bit to your frosting or icing recipe
Use coffee to replace some of the liquid or to thin it out.
#8. Add a little bit to your gravy
Add coffee to your gravy for a deep color and extra flavor.
#9. Dye paper
To make the paper look antique.
#10. Dye fabric
Soak fabric in a bath of leftover cooled coffee for a lovely aged color. I found a tutorial here: How to Dye Fabric Using Coffee.
Uses for Leftover Coffee Grounds
Tip – if you want to dry the coffee grounds, you can place them on a baking sheet and put them in the oven set to 200º for about 20 to 30 minutes. Stir them about halfway through. Your bonus is the wonderful aroma you have wafting through your home. Let them cool and then store them in a glass jar with a lid or a baggie.
Get rid of the garlic and onion smell
After cooking with garlic or onions, rub used coffee grounds on your hands and wash them with soap. No more smell.
Keep bugs away
Used coffee grounds act as a natural barrier to insects. Line your garden or potted plants to keep the pests out. Readers said it is a great deterrent for snails and slugs around tomato plants.
Keep cats out of the garden
Sprinkle coffee grounds in your garden if you have cats using it as a potty.
Fertilize plants
Mix coffee grounds in the soil as a nitrogen-infused fertilizer. Plants such as roses, hydrangeas, blueberries, and evergreens love the natural acidity that coffee adds to the soil, but check to make sure your specific plants need acidic soil. Some readers recommend mixing the coffee grounds with eggshells.
Start a compost pile or add them to your compost pile
Coffee grounds will help suppress any odors too. Worms love coffee grounds and worms help to break down ingredients in your compost pile. If you don’t want to add them straight, you can toss them into a brown paper bag first.
Stop refrigerator odors
Coffee grounds act like baking soda in the fridge. Pour a cupful into a bowl, stick it on the top rack, and the grounds will absorb odors. This is great to do before you leave on vacation
Get rid of the burnt popcorn smell in the microwave
Add two tablespoons to a half cup of water and heat for a minute in the microwave. You may have to do it a few times, but it will get rid of that awful smell.
Make a body scrub
Once the grounds are dry and cool, you can pick up a handful and scrub it on your rough patches. you can also mix the grounds will some olive oil which will act as a moisturizer. The coffee grounds are probably too rough for the face, so just stick to rough elbows and heels.
Add it to homemade soap
The coffee grounds make a great exfoliator and fragrance.
Make a marinade for steaks
Add ground coffee with a dash of soy sauce and seem brown sugar to make a nice crust when seared.
Bonus Tips from Readers
Kate: I add leftover coffee to a Popsicle mold and freeze it to have a cold treat later in the day. That sounds so good!
Jim: Put damp coffee grounds on top of your fireplace ashes to keep the dust down before you clean out the ashes.
Miriam: Turn your hydrangeas blue. Mix coffee grounds into the dirt around your hydrangea plants and the acidity will turn the color to blue.
Lee: If you have icy sidewalks, you can dump coffee grounds to help with traction.
Ramon – Dip a Q-tip into wet coffee grounds and go over wood scratches.
What other uses do you have to share for leftover coffee and coffee grounds? We welcome your tips and would be glad to add them to our master list of 20 Genius Uses for Your Leftover Coffee and Coffee Grounds.
Have you found any uses for empty K-cups? Can you recycle them?
You Might Also Like
- Genius Life Hacks Using Table Salt That Everyone Should Try!
- Tips to Save Money on Gas
- Moving Tips to Make Moving Easier
- How To Save for a Holiday
- 30 Ways to Save Money on Your Grocery Bill
- Keep Your Food Fresh Longer – 13 Kitchen Hacks to Save Money
PIN for Later
My mom used to use wet coffee grounds when sweeping the garage. It helps to keep the dust clouds down as you sweep (especially important if a family member has allergies) and it smelled great.
I love this idea! My husband has allergies. I love to pass on tips from our moms and grandmothers.