Often considered mere waste, coffee grounds can turn into a valuable ally in the home and garden. With versatile properties and rich in nutrients, coffee grounds find a variety of creative uses: from gardening to beauty routines. Here are some tips to give a second life to the treasure hidden at the bottom of a coffee.
Coffee grounds as natural fertilizer in garden
Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other minerals, making them an excellent natural fertiliser and helping to absorb heavy metals that can contaminate the soil. Mixing coffee grounds into the soil can improve its structure and encourage plant growth.
However, when deciding to fertilize using coffee grounds compost, it is important to be aware of which plants are suitable for treatment and which are not. In general, coffee is an ideal natural fertiliser for plants that prefer acidic soil, such as camellias, lilies, mimosas, hydrangeas, and magnolias. While for trees and herbs, they are suitable for firs and birches, basil, pepper, parsley and garlic, berries such as blueberries, blackberries and raspberries, and some vegetables, including aubergines, cucumber, pumpkin, and courgettes.
They are also an excellent ally for those who do not have a particularly green thumb and therefore prefer succulents, as coffee grounds help their growth while also aerating the soil.
However, there are other plants that do not like the use of coffee grounds, because they tend to raise the pH value of the soil. This natural fertiliser is therefore banned for horticultural plants such as broccoli, tomatoes, sunflowers, and radishes, or for roses and acidophilic flowers such as azaleas and rhododendrons.
Care should also be taken to mix coffee grounds well with other materials to avoid the formation of mould – the roots’ arch-enemy – and not to create too thick layers, which could prevent air and water access.
Coffee grounds as insect repellent
Some compounds in coffee, such as caffeine and diterpenes, are toxic to insects. Therefore, the “waste” of this much-loved beverage can become excellent allies in repelling pesky animals.
After drying them, simply place used coffee grounds in bowls or directly on the ground to keep mosquitoes, fruit flies, ants and other pests, snails, and slugs away from the house and garden. Some people recommend burning perfectly dry coffee grounds to keep wasps away as well.
Just remember to reapply the coffee grounds after raining or watering.
Coffee grounds as odour neutraliser
Thanks to their porous texture, coffee grounds are excellent for absorbing and eliminating unpleasant odours. By placing them in an open bowl in the refrigerator for a few days, they help neutralise strong food odours. The same goes for shoe racks and rubbish bins, where you can simply place hermetically sealed mesh bags filled with coffee grounds.
Also, near the sink you can keep some coffee grounds to rub your hands after cutting garlic or onion and remove the lingering smell. Once the grounds have absorbed the odours, they can be easily composted.
Coffee grounds for beauty routine
Recycling coffee grounds not only helps us around the house and garden, but also becomes an environmentally friendly practice for a “greener” beauty routine.
The coarse particles of coffee grounds act as an exfoliant and help remove dirt and dead cells. You can also create natural homemade scrubs against cellulite or even to strengthen and stimulate hair growth.
To prepare a natural coffee body scrub, mix the grounds with a little water or coconut oil and rub them directly onto the desired area. When combined with a small amount of honey, they can also be used as a coffee exfoliating scrub for the lips.
And for the more creative people, coffee grounds can also be used to make homemade soapsuds: with the addition of a pretty packaging, they can become a perfect gift for environmental-friendly mates.
In conclusion, while often considered mere waste, coffee grounds offer numerous ecological and practical benefits. You can find coffee grounds here on our website and use them to prepare fist a high-quality coffee, then give them a new life, from gardening to personal care. Experimenting with their applications in everyday life allows you to reduce waste and make the most of every cup of coffee.