More than 2 billion cups of coffee are drunk every day all over the world. This impressive number means that some 19,000 tonnes of coffee grounds are produced daily. The good news is that there are several different domestic uses for this residue. Here are 8 ideas to try!
HOME MAINTENANCE
1. An Odour Neutralizer
Coffee grounds are an alternative to baking soda. Like the latter, they are effective at driving away odours inside the refrigerator. In addition, rubbing your hands with coffee grounds would help eliminate odours that linger, such as onion and garlic.
2. A Dish Scrubber
The abrasive qualities of coffee grounds can be used to clean dirty pots and pans. Mix the residue with your utensils in hot water and scrub with a sponge.
3. An Option for Cleaning the Drain?
There are differing opinions on whether coffee grounds are good for cleaning and deodorizing a kitchen sink drain. While we praise its grainy side, the coffee residue is also oily and tends to mix with the fat deposits accumulated on the walls of the pipes to aggravate a clogging problem. In any case, it is best to mix it with hot water when using it as a deodorizer.
IN THE KITCHEN
4. An Ingredient in Our Recipes
Coffee grounds are found in many dessert recipes developed in an anti-waste spirit, such as cookies, brownies, crumbles, etc. Some even suggest replacing ground coffee with its residue in some recipes—with no effect on the taste!
BEAUTY TREATMENTS
5. A Skin Scrub
In beauty, the grainy texture and qualities of coffee grounds make them an increasingly popular byproduct for exfoliating scrubs. You can easily prepare a homemade recipe by mixing a spoonful of coffee residue with a little oil (coconut, almond or vegetable) and using it to massage and soften the skin of the face and neck.
OUTSIDE AND IN THE VEGETABLE GARDEN?
The use of coffee grounds as a repellent or fertilizer is still inconclusive. Research is currently underway to uncover the myths that persist about its many benefits for plants and the vegetable garden.
6. An Insect Repellent
Many suggest using coffee grounds as an insect repellent (not insecticide) and spreading them at the foot of plants to keep aphids, slugs and other pests away. While it is true that the smell of coffee repels some insects, its effect is limited and often boils down to an old wive’s tale.
You can test it for yourself and sprinkle some coffee grounds around the terrace or patio to see if it keeps undesirables away from the house.
7. A Fertilizer
Coffee grounds contain nitrogen, which enriches the soil and plays a vital role in plant growth. However, it is recommended to use it sparingly in the garden, given its tendency to form a crust that acts as a barrier to the passage of water and air. For this reason, it is suggested to mix the coffee residue with soil or mulch before applying it to the soil, or better yet, to add it directly to your compost (domestic or via municipal collection).
8. A Compost Enhancer
The consensus recommendation is to put coffee grounds in the compost. In the opinion of many, this would be the best way to take advantage of its positive effects.
It is a mineral-rich ally which contains potassium, magnesium and phosphorus.
Adding coffee grounds to the compost improves its qualities. Among other things, it drives away odours, improves texture and promotes the biological activity of the composting process. It should not be used in too high a dose, though, as the pomace also acts as an inhibitor. Putting in too much of it harms the growth of certain types of plants and fungi necessary for compost to decompose.
