20 random uses for coffee besides drinking it

A great way to reuse coffee grounds is to add them to a houseplant or garden soil. The combination of nitrogen, calcium, potassium, zinc, and other nutrients make grounds an ideal fertilizer. Rake them directly into the dirt, but not too much, as it’s best to introduce coffee to the garden gradually. Additionally, only mix grounds that have already been used in brewing to ensure acidity won’t be a problem.

The course texture of coffee and the fact that it does not dissolve in water mean it is a great alternative exfoliant for your skin. It is also rich in antioxidants, which means your skin will be glowing after use! Mix coffee with some sugar (brown or white) and lemon juice for best results, and leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing.

Fun fact: mosquitos love blood but hate coffee! Thus, it is the perfect repellent for those pesky summer nuisances. Similarly to those candles that are used to get bugs to fly away, coffee has a strong smell that will keep them at bay. It’s best to use slightly burnt grounds, as the odor will be stronger. Then, add to your compost pile, sprinkle through the yard, make a spray bottle mixture with water, burn in a bowl, or do all the above!

Coffee can be great for tenderizing meat as grounds or as a liquid. Don’t throw out that cold coffee from the morning. Place it in a bowl with the meat, and let marinade in the fridge for a couple of hours. The result will be a tender and flavorful dinner! Alternatively, use the grounds from the AM as a meat rub. 

Coffee stains can be notoriously difficult to remove, but when done intentionally, it’s one of the easiest ingredients to dye fabric for all your creative endeavors. Just pour warm coffee (the stronger the pot, the darker the fabric will be) over the wet fabric in a bowl and stir. Let sit for 30 minutes to overnight, depending on the desired shade. Then wring out the fabric and place it in a new bowl with vinegar and hot water to set the color.

Your favorite holiday sauce is versatile and can be enhanced with various ingredients, including coffee. Add a bit of brewed coffee to your next pot of gravy for a new twist on this classic!

Mochas are popular for a reason. Who wouldn’t love the combination of chocolate and espresso? Well, you don’t need to head to a cafe to enjoy that taste. Just add a bit of instant coffee or grounds to your next dessert. Alternatively, use brewed coffee in place of water in some recipes.

The strong smell of coffee isn’t just ideal for ridding your garden of pests; it is also amazing to rid your house of unwanted odors. Place coffee grounds in mesh bags in closets, shoes, or the mudroom to absorb stinky smells. Or put grounds in an open container and leave them in an enclosed space like the fridge to soak up odor.

If you enjoy making homemade candles, add coffee grounds to the mixture. Then light and allow your home to turn into the local cafe via the unique scent!

If you’re a fan of making ice cream, coffee is a fun flavor to try out. When steeping the milk and other liquid ingredients, add some coffee beans to give the mixture that espresso flavor!

Everyone knows that when the temperatures drop, it’s time to stock up on salt and sand for driveways and roads. However, you can also put those old coffee grounds to use as a deicer, as the texture is perfect for chipping away at frozen roads. Additionally, nitrogen and other elements help melt build-up.

Rich in nutrients and vitamins, drinking coffee might not help you grow taller, but grounds can be good for stimulating hair growth. A coffee ground scrub can help rid the scalp of buildup, a spritz of brewed coffee can act as a natural de-tangler, and a coffee rinse can aid blood circulation. 

No matter how careful you are, your favorite furniture will eventually begin to show some scratches and scuff marks. Luckily, your morning cup of joe can be used to help remedy that issue. Apply old coffee grounds to the spot needing fixing, leave for about ten minutes, then buff away with a rag.

Baked beans are a barbecue favorite that can be doctored in various ways — syrup, brown sugar, or even coffee. Add that cold coffee from breakfast, along with bacon, onion, or whatever you like in your beans, and turn the slow cooker on!

Actually quite simple to make: just pour cold coffee into milk and refrigerate. Add chocolate if you want the mocha flavor.

Similarly to using it as an exfoliant on your own body, coffee grounds are great as a pet scrub. Next time you give your furry BFF a bath, use leftover coffee to rid them of fleas.

Want to up your iced coffee game at home? Pour coffee into ice cube molds and pop it into your glass the next morning for added flavor!

Milk, honey, chia seeds, and fruit are all standard for overnight oats, but if you’re a coffee lover, you can also try adding a shot of espresso. The infusion will add a unique flavor, and depending on how much coffee you mix in, you might even be able to skip that morning cup!

Coffee doesn’t just make a good addition to chocolate desserts. It can also be wonderful in cheesecake. Add a bit of instant or brewed coffee to the mix next time you fancy a cold dessert!

Mix some old coffee grounds with water to create an all-natural cleaning scrub. It can be used to scrub greasy pots and pans and remove buildup.