15 Practical Ways to Reuse Spent Coffee Grounds

If you're like me and drink a lot of coffee, especially cold brew coffee, you probably accumulate a lot of spent coffee grounds. And if you’re wondering, no you can’t use them twice. With millions of coffee drinkers around the world, there’s a lot of untapped potential lurking in those grounds. While tossing them in the trash might seem like the logical next step, there's a wealth of potential hidden in those spent grounds. That’s why today we’re exploring how to reuse coffee grounds. 

Before you toss the grinds into your compost or the trash, there are plenty of ways to reuse spent coffee grounds. From nurturing your houseplants to tackling stubborn kitchen grime or even for self-care, there’s so much hidden potential after your morning cup! 

What are spent coffee grounds?

Spent coffee grounds are what happens after you take fresh coffee grounds and use them for a brewing process of some sort. This can be from a drip brew, pour-over brew espresso, or any other type of way to prepare coffee. Unfortunately, these methods don't work well for coffee pods, so look for alternative uses to brew your pods if possible. 

But it doesn't matter what brewing method you used; spent grounds mean that the flavor and caffeine within the coffee beans have been extracted. You might also call these old coffee grounds. Although we don't recommend using the spent grains for another cup of coffee, there are still some great ways that you can reuse the grounds after you've made your cup of coffee. We've put together a list of creative uses to reuse old grounds. 

Why Reuse Spent Coffee Grounds

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world. According to a study by Statista in 2021 and 2022, nearly 10.5MT of coffee was consumed worldwide, which was up prior to the previous year and only increased more. According to the National Coffee Association, 7 in 10 American consumers drink coffee every week, which would classify as a regular coffee drinker. Out of that 7 in 10, 62% drink coffee daily. The average American consumes over three cups of coffee per day. If you thought coffee shops accumulated a lot of waste, just imagine the volume of used coffee grounds across the United States!

Adding all of this up there's a lot of spent grains available for more use. While tossing them in the trash might seem like the natural next step, there's a wealth of potential available in those spent grounds. Instead of going to landfills we have the the ability to prevent food waste by reusing our spent coffee grounds. 

Ways to Reuse Coffee Grounds

Leftover coffee grounds have many uses beyond the trash can. Here are some practical ways  to make good use of  

Home & Garden

1. Fertilize your garden: Coffee grounds are a natural source of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are essential nutrients for plants. They also help to improve drainage and retain moisture in the soil. Your acid-loving plants like roses and hydrangeas will love them. Just be sure to avoid using them around plants that prefer alkaline soil, such as lavender and asparagus. The change in soil pH which will discourage their plant growth.
   
2. Compost Pile: Coffee grounds are a great addition to your compost bin or pile. They help to break down other materials and add nitrogen to the compost. Be sure to add other organic matter like grass clippings and other food scraps to maintain the balance in the compost. 
   
3. Repel insects and pests: The smell of coffee grounds can deter some insects, such as ants, slugs, and snails. Sprinkle a handful of coffee grounds around the perimeter of your garden or around your house to keep common pests at bay.
   
4. Natural Deodorizer: Coffee grounds can absorb odors. Place a bowl of them in your refrigerator or freezer to neutralize strong smells. You can also use them to deodorize your shoes or gym bag.
   
5. Garbage Disposal Cleaner: Run coffee grounds through the garbage disposal with some cold water to clean and deodorize them.  

Cleaning

5. Homemade Soap: If you’re into making homemade soaps, you can incorporate spent coffee grounds into homemade soap for gentle exfoliation.
   
6. Clean your pots and pans: Coffee grounds can be used as a natural scouring powder. The coarseness of the grounds makes them very effective and abrasive when scrubbing your dirty dishes. They are effective at removing grease and grime from pots and pans. Just be sure not to use them on delicate surfaces.
   
7. Clean Your Fireplace or Firepit: While this might not be your first instinct, you can use coffee grounds to bind to ash left in a fireplace or firepit to make cleaning easier!

Cooking

9. Tenderize meat: Coffee grounds can help to tenderize meat. The acidity in coffee grounds helps to break down the tough fibers in meat, making it more tender and flavorful. You might see this in some common barbecue recipes like dry rubs, but you can reuse coffee grounds for a milder coffee taste.

Arts & Crafts

10. Natural Dye: Coffee grounds can be used to dye fabric a natural brown color. Simply simmer the fabric in a pot of water with used coffee grounds until you reach the desired color. 
    
11. Arts and Crafts: Arts and crafts are a great way to reuse Old coffee grounds. When they're still wet, you can use them to dye paper or wood furniture and give it a rustic look. You can also dry them out and mix them in with paint to give an element of textual appeal. You can also use them to mimic the look of dirt in a landscape. There are limitless opportunities to reuse coffee grounds in arts and crafts projects. 

Beauty

12. Make a body scrub: The gritty texture of coffee grounds makes them a great exfoliant. Mix them with equal parts coffee grounds and coconut oil or olive oil to create a homemade exfoliating scrub. 
    
13. Exfoliating  Facial Scrub: A very effective way to reuse coffee grounds is to exfoliate your skin. Coffee grounds have antioxidant properties that protect the skin from sun damage. But the grainy texture can also help remove dead skin cells and dirt and increase blood flow, which aids overall skin health. 
    
14. Cellulite Treatment: Some claim that applying coffee grounds mixed with water or oil can reduce the appearance of cellulite. While there is no danger to cellulite, many people view it as aesthetically undesirable. Studies have shown that caffeine, when applied topically to the affected area, can help to break down these fat deposits and increase the blood flow which helps to minimize the visibility of cellulite. So, mixing used grounds with sugar and coconut oil, apply to the cellulite area and scrub for about ten minutes weekly. After a month or so, you should start to see some results.
    
15. Make a Scalp Scrub – According to professional stylist Tara D’Amico at Boho Bridal Hair and Make Up Co,  A great way to reuse coffee grounds is by creating a scalp scrub. Exfoliation removes dead skin and hydrates and moisturizes the scalp. A healthy scalp leads to healthy hair, and this scrub is an exfoliant that alleviates flaky and dry scalp. Mix together coffee grounds, a heaping tablespoon of coconut or olive oil, a few drops of rosemary oil, and a few drops of tea tree oil. Focus mixture on the scalp scrub and massage into your scalp for 5 minutes. “I leave the mixture in for 10 minutes, following a shampoo and deep conditioning my ends. I finish with a cool rinse to seal in the cuticle of your hair and add extra shine and luster!” says Tara. This is perfect for when there is a change of season, especially when your scalp feels dry and flaky. This scrub will alleviate flaky scalp during those dry winter months, or change of season. 

Share more creative ways you reuse coffee grounds

Explore the exciting possibilities that come when reusing coffee grounds! You'll uncover the surprising ways to reduce waste and add value to your daily routine. From nurturing your houseplants to tackling stubborn kitchen grime, get ready to unlock the hidden potential of your morning cup!