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Coffee may be the world’s favourite pick-me-up — with around 9.7 million global Google searches a year, according to analytics platform Ahrefs — but your morning brew is good for far more than caffeine kicks.
From sustainable skincare to natural cleaning hacks, coffee’s properties make it a powerful (and eco-friendly) multitasker. Alex Ion, spokesperson for Brewsmartly.com, shares ten creative ways to put your coffee grounds to good use.
1. Add Flavour to Food
Ground coffee beans make an incredible addition to spice rubs. Mix a few tablespoons into your dry rub for meats like chicken, pork or lamb — it brings out a rich, smoky depth of flavour that rivals any BBQ sauce.
2. Level Up Your Baking
Coffee adds complexity to sweet treats, especially anything with chocolate. Try adding a teaspoon of espresso powder to brownie mix, or experiment with a classic coffee and walnut cake for that café-style finish.
3. Unclog Drains Naturally
Skip the harsh chemicals — instead, pour half a cup of used coffee grounds and some dishwasher salt into the drain, followed by a kettle of boiling water. It’s a simple, sustainable fix that keeps pipes clear and odour-free.
4. Remove Strong Odours from Hands
After cooking with garlic or onions, rub damp coffee grounds between your hands, then rinse. The coarse texture lifts lingering smells while leaving skin soft.
5. Repel Insects
Coffee is a natural insect deterrent. Sprinkle grounds in corners, garden beds, or cracks in walls to ward off ants and other pests. Some even rub a little on their skin to help prevent bites.
6. Exfoliate Your Skin
The texture of coffee grounds makes them ideal for a DIY exfoliating scrub. Mix with a little coconut oil and gently massage into your face or body to remove dead skin cells and boost circulation.
7. Enrich Your Compost
Used coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen — perfect for compost. Combine equal parts coffee, grass cuttings, and dried leaves for a nutrient-rich mix that helps plants thrive.
8. Naturally Deter Fleas on Dogs
Rub coffee grounds through your dog’s fur after a bath (then rinse thoroughly). It’s a chemical-free alternative to flea treatments — and it leaves their coat smelling fresh.
9. Boost Plant Growth
Coffee grounds can slightly lower the pH of soil, enhancing colour in certain plants like roses, azaleas, or hydrangeas. Just be sure your plants aren’t sensitive to acidity before adding.
10. Reset Your Sense of Smell
Ever wondered why perfumeries have coffee beans on the counter? Sniffing coffee between fragrances helps neutralise your senses so you can distinguish each scent clearly.
Why Choose Coffee as a Green Alternative
“As you can see from these uses, coffee is far more versatile than we think,” says Alex Ion of Brewsmartly.com. “By turning to natural alternatives like coffee, we can reduce our reliance on harsh chemicals in detergents, soaps, and repellents — all while putting everyday waste to good use.”
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