Ways to Use Old Coffee Grounds and Leftover Coffee

I love finding new ways to reuse or recycle and expand the uses for things I usually throw out. As someone who enjoys coffee but hates just throwing out the leftovers from a pot or the grounds, I wondered how I could reuse what I regularly throw away. The following ideas are what I have found over the past few years.

1) Use Coffee grounds to get rid of cellulite.

I found that coffee grounds are reported to get rid of cellulite. Some suggest putting the grounds on while in the tub or standing over an old towel then wrapping the areas in saran wrap. Leave the grounds on for several minutes, unwrap brush off and shower.

I personally liked the suggestion of mixing the grounds in some cheap lotion and rubbing them in without having to saran wrap myself. You still need to shower after but it's a much tidier method. I've only done this a few times so haven't yet decided if they really do help.

2) Soften and shine hair.

When washing your hair rub coffee grounds through your wet hair and rinse.

I've also read that for brunettes and red heads coffee grounds will add highlights to your hair without using smelly chemicals.

3) Pour Leftover coffee into ice cube trays and freeze

The ice cubes can later be used to cool off coffee that is to hot or blended in a blender to make an ice coffee without having to go to Starbucks. You can also use these ice cubes in recipes that call for the use of coffee such as coffee cake.

4) A fertilizer for plants

Coffee grounds act as both a very good fertilizer. They can also be added to indoor plants that thrive in an acidic soil. Examples of such plants are rosebushes, azaleas, rhododendrons, evergreen and camellias. Spreading them through the flower beds and mixing in orange peels will also deter a cat from using it as a litter box.

5) Bug and ant repellent.

Sprinkling the coffee grounds around your yard and working them into the soil of your garden helps to repel ants, slugs, snails.

6) Odor absorber/Deodorizer

Rubbing used coffee grounds on your hands will get rid many offensive smells.
Place a dish of grounds in the freezer will act in a similar manner to baking soda and deodorize the freezer.
Dumping coffee grounds and hot water down the sink drain will help to keep the foul odors from emanating up to your nose.

7) Easter egg or fabric dye

Mix used coffee grounds in warm water and let the item to be dyed sit in the mixture. I have also been told that mixing vinegar with coffee works.

8) Repair scratched wooden furniture.

Mix a teaspoon instant Maxwell House Coffee with two teaspoons water. Apply to the scratch with a cotton ball or q-tip.

A few these ideas I have not tried, but intend to when I get the chance. If you have any uses you'd like to share, please do!