It is often observed that after brewing a delicious cup of coffee, coffee waste is discarded. However, there are multiple uses that can be given to this element. Here are some of the uses you can put your coffee waste to before discarding it as waste.
1. Coffee as a fertiliser
One of the main uses for coffee waste is for those who love agriculture or gardening. This is because coffee waste can be used as compost or fertiliser for their plantations. The compost can be applied directly to plants, especially those that need acidic soil, such as carrots or radishes. Flowers such as hydrangeas and mushrooms such as mushrooms also benefit from this organic mixture.
2. Coffee to clean pots
Another curious use for coffee waste is to help clean metal pots and pans in your kitchen. Some of them can become greasy over the years, and that is where coffee comes in. Thanks to the acidic and abrasive properties of coffee, the grease can be removed from these containers.
For best effect, it is recommended that the pots are clean and dry so that you can then add a couple of spoonfuls of the waste coffee chips or ground coffee directly to the pots. After a rest of several hours, you can clean with lukewarm water.
3. Coffee as a scrub
Like the previous use, ground coffee has some benefits for the skin. So much so that it is common to see dermatological or beauty products that contain a certain percentage of coffee or one of its components in their ingredients. Coffee can improve skin elasticity, and its minerals help revitalise the skin.
It also helps to reduce excess fat in the skin or cellulite. For this reason, coffee residues can be used to make homemade masks, which, when mixed with serums or creams according to each skin type, can offer a pleasant cleansing sensation. However, these masks must be done very carefully so as not to damage the pores with the coffee granules, so it is not advisable to rub the skin excessively when applying them.
4. Coffee as a flavouring agent
The residues of ground coffee have a very particular aroma thanks to the change in temperature and shape they undergo. Coffee beans also contain a high content of linoleic acid and cyclic organic compounds. These substances allow a pleasant smell to be generated for the human sense of smell.
On the other hand, coffee has some hygroscopic properties, which allow the absorption of bad odours. This is why many people resort to using coffee residues, together with a little warm water, to eliminate bad smells from their hands, such as fishy or greasy odours.
To reduce the foul smell from the rubbish, you can resort to putting a handful of the coffee grounds at the bottom of the rubbish can. As a result, the coffee will absorb any odours from the decomposing waste. It is important to note that the coffee you dispose of to absorb the odours cannot be used to brew coffee.
5. Coffee to repel insects
Coffee grounds, when wet, are very effective in repelling some insects. If you have dogs as pets, you can apply a little bit of this element after bathing them so that fleas do not affect the canine too much.
The residues can also be thrown in your garden to prevent ants from proliferating and attacking your plants. However, the effect, in this case, is achieved when the coffee is dry and not wet as in the previous use. You can also apply a little coffee to specific places in your home where ants tend to have a greater presence.
As you can see, there are several uses you can give to the coffee waste that is usually thrown away. Although the flavour and the different sensations that coffee offers remain in the cup, many of its minerals remain in its residues, and these can help you to improve different aspects of your home.
Related: What to do with coffee grounds?
