How to use old coffee grounds?

Author: Miss Virginia Metz I  |  Last update: Thursday, February 19, 2026

7 Ways To Reuse Coffee Grounds
  1. Face and Body Scrub. Those tiny grains of coffee are the perfect no-fuss, low-cost scrub for your body and face. ...
  2. Garden Pest Control. ...
  3. Compost. ...
  4. Food for Hydrangeas and Azaleas. ...
  5. Fix Furniture Scratches. ...
  6. Pot Scrubber. ...
  7. Scent Freshener.

Can you do anything with expired coffee grounds?

Yes, don't dump them. When I'm doing the local farmers market I take a big bucket and give them away for free. You can also use as mulch/compost (but now my compost tumblers are full). See if a community garden wants them. Use them as body scrub.

What are old coffee grounds good for?

These coffee grounds can be composted or used in different ways, including various household and beauty applications. The leftover coffee grounds have a lot of uses and benefits that include reducing stress, moisturizing your skin, removing stains, cleaning your home, and more.

What animals will coffee grounds keep away?

Sprinkling coffee grounds among your plants may help to ward off rabbits and other small mammals due to coffee's powerful scent. Plus, it composts naturally over time, giving your plants some extra nutrients!

Can I just sprinkle coffee grounds in my garden?

Yes. Used coffee grounds are a great fertilizer. They contain nutrients that are helpful for plant growth and they can help attract worms when the plants are outside.

You'll Never Throw Away Coffee Grounds After Watching This

Which plants cannot use coffee grounds?

Avoid using coffee grounds on alkaline-loving trees, such as linden, ironwood, red chestnut and arborvitae. Coffee grounds used as mulch or compost inhibit plant growth on geranium, asparagus fern, Chinese mustard and Italian ryegrass. Definitely don't use coffee grounds with these plants.

What are the disadvantages of coffee grounds as fertilizer?

Salts: Coffee grounds can contain salts, which can build up in the soil over time and become toxic to plants. Mold: Wet coffee grounds can attract mold, which can be harmful to plants. Caffeine: While caffeine is not toxic to plants in small quantities, it can be harmful if used in large amounts.

Do coffee grounds attract mice?

Mice typically do not like coffee grounds scattered around the kitchen. The strong aroma of coffee is generally unpleasant to mice, which can act as a deterrent.

Can you put too much coffee grounds in your garden?

I've visited a site where a raised bed was ruined by too much coffee grounds. Like most kitchen waste, it is a fine amendment for the garden, but like anything else, coffee grounds can be overdone.” Contrary to popular belief, it's a myth that coffee grounds are acidic and will lower the pH of the soil.

Do mosquitoes hate coffee grounds?

Burning coffee is an effective way of repelling mosquitoes and some other flying insects. When coffee grounds are lit on fire, they produce an acrid, bitter odor. It's unpleasant for humans, but it's even more unpleasant for mosquitoes and some other flying insects.

Are 2 year old coffee grounds still good?

Coffee grounds do not technically expire, but they can go stale over time. Stale coffee grounds can result in a less flavorful and aromatic cup of coffee. While coffee grounds may not technically expire, it is still important to use them within a reasonable timeframe to ensure the best quality cup of coffee.

How do you use old coffee grounds?

What to do with used coffee grounds – 7 ideas to try
  1. Compost your coffee grounds.
  2. Use grounds as raw fertilizer – and feed the worms.
  3. Grow gourmet mushrooms in your old coffee.
  4. Touch up furniture scratches.
  5. Used coffee grounds can absorb strong odours.
  6. Use your old grounds to deter snails, slugs and cats from the garden.

Why leave coffee grounds in the garage?

Remove Unwanted Odors

Coffee grounds contain nitrogen and carbon compounds, which have the power to remove unwanted smells. In other words, coffee grounds could become your best friend in fighting odors in your home.

How to apply coffee grounds to a lawn?

Drill several 1/4-inch holes in the bottom of a small bucket. Put the coffee grounds in the bucket and carry it back and forth across the lawn shaking out the grounds. Reapply every month or two and enjoy a thick, green turf.

How to dispose of coffee grounds?

Simply dilute your leftover coffee grounds with four parts cool water and pour the mixture over your plants once every other week. You can also use the grounds as compost with other organic kitchen waste. Old coffee grounds can be used as a natural dye on certain types of paper and fabric.

Why do people put coffee grounds on their lawn?

Using coffee grounds as lawn fertilizer is also good for the worms. They love coffee almost as much as we do. The earthworms eat the grounds and in return aerate the lawn with their castings, which breaks up the soil (aerates) and facilitates beneficial microbial activity, further stimulating lawn growth.

Do coffee grounds repel ants?

You may love your morning coffee, but ants could do without it. Another natural way to deter ants, sprinkle coffee grounds outside and around your garden. The smell repels them and they'll be looking for a less caffeinated place to hang out.

Can I just sprinkle coffee grounds on plants?

Coffee grounds can most certainly be added to your compost and also directly to your soil. Instead of simply tossing them out though, you may wish to incorporate them a bit more thoroughly by digging them in.

What smell do mice absolutely hate?

The strong scent of peppermint is overwhelming to mice. Similarly, essential oils such as eucalyptus oil, bergamot oil, clove oil, and cinnamon oil are potent in keeping mice at bay. One study noted that eucalyptus oil applied once a day was more effective as a rat repellant than once a week.

What bugs hate coffee grounds?

Not only do they repel mosquitoes, but also other insects such as wasps and bees. Coffee grounds are the bee's knees when it comes to staying bug bite free. Most bugs have a very strong sense of smell. Coffee grounds are very potent and even more potent once they are burned.

Do coffee grounds deter snakes?

Coffee grounds do not repel snakes; focus on effective methods like sealing entry points and removing attractants. Utilize proven natural snake repellents such as peppermint oil, garlic cloves, and sulfur powder for better results.

Where should coffee grounds not be used in the garden?

For example, avoid adding any caffeine to plants that are germinating. Freshly seeded areas should be avoided as well. Fresh grounds, and caffeine in general, have allelopathic properties. This can stunt plant growth and do more harm than good.

Should I put coffee grounds in my money tree?

Plants that are “nutrient-hungry” and prefer slightly acidic soil do well with used coffee grounds added to the topsoil. For instance, Snake Plants, Philodendrons, the Peace Lily, Pothos, Palms, the Jade Plant, and the Money Tree are coffee-loving plants.

Can you put coffee grounds down the sink?

Don't fall prey to the myth! You should never use a garburator like a garbage can. Take it from the experts at Mr. Rooter® Plumbing: resist the urge to put coffee grounds down the drain unless you want to have some serious clogs on your hands.

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