5 Genius Ways To Use Old Coffee Grounds
Tossing out your coffee grounds may seem like the natural thing to do after brewing your coffee. However, you may be missing out on something much more significant. After going through this list, you will want to reconsider.
This beautifully scented bean offers more than a great pick-me-up. It has way too many creative uses to be lying in the bin. From pest control to a dishwashing agent, coffee grounds are a must-have in your home.
However, if you want to use coffee grounds but don’t have any, you can always ask a coffee shop as they are always willing to give their grounds away. Here are five practical ways to use old coffee grounds.
Pest Repellent
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Whether you are a plant parent, a budding farmer, or a person whose house is constantly invaded by pests, you may want to start keeping your coffee grounds closer. Coffee contains compounds like caffeine and diterpenes, which are toxic to pests.
As a result, coffee grounds make a fantastic bug repellent. Place the ground in bowls around your house and watch as they deter mosquitos, fruit flies, and beetles. For your garden, scatter them on your plants or outdoor seating areas. They will act as a barrier for snails and slugs.
Remove Fleas from Your Pet
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If you have a fur baby, you know the hassle to wage war against fleas. First off, it always seems like you are on the losing side, and secondly, it’s pretty pricey to handle a flea party nested in your pet’s fur. Above, we did state that coffee grounds are an excellent pest repellent. However, did you know you can use them to get rid of fleas too?
After shampooing your pet, rub the grounds into your pet’s fur, rinse and dry as usual. However, if the situation is more serious, then stick with your prescription product. Moreover, do not let your pet ingest the grounds, especially if you have dogs, for the grounds are toxic.
Exfoliate Your Skin
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You may have already heard of coffee as an effective beauty treatment. However, just how effective is it? The coarse particles in the grounds act as an exfoliating agent that scrubs away dead skin cells. Moreover, while using the grounds to scrub your body, you help to increase your blood flow which will help your skin health.
To use, mix the grounds with a bit of water or coconut oil. Next and use the mixture directly on your body. You can also use the same mixture on areas where cellulite is the problem. When the grounds are applied, they may help break down the fatty tissue and increase your blood flow in this area. As a result, the appearance of your cellulite will decrease. Do this twice weekly for 10 mins.
Tenderize Meat
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When consuming your meat, you want a soft finish. However, meat contains muscle fibers and proteins that give it its tough consistency. Therefore, the easiest way to do so is by tenderizing meat. This process will break down the tough fibers and proteins.
Salt, acid, and enzymes are used to tenderize meat. However, coffee contains natural acids and enzymes. Dry rub the grounds on your meat two hours before cooking. The grounds will form a dark, crispy crust. While cooking, the acid in coffee will enhance the flavor of the meat.
Scour Your Pots and Pans
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The coarse texture of old coffee grounds makes it ideal for attacking the caked-up dirt on your pots and pans. You can sprinkle them on directly or sprinkle them on a rag and get scrubbing.
Remember, this is only for pots and pans. If you use them on your ceramics, you may stain them. After taking away the stubborn stains from your kitchen utensils, make sure you rinse them thoroughly.