Leftover Coffee Grounds: Grinding my coffee each morning brings me joy, and I love the flavor of freshly ground coffee. If you love your morning cup of coffee but would love some creative ideas for the leftover grinds, well, here are five of my favorite uses for leftover coffee grounds!

1. Leftover Coffee Grounds Body Scrub

Why not turn your leftover coffee grounds into a body scrub? Coffee body scrubs tend to be pricey and can contain unnecessary toxic ingredients that can impact your health. But simply rubbing coffee grounds on your skin in the shower can help improve circulation, reduce the appearance of cellulite, and exfoliate your skin. The coarseness of the grounds helps to slough off dead skin, revealing soft skin. Coffee has nutrients and antioxidants in it, which can help nourish and protect your skin.

2. Leftover Coffee Grounds: Reduce Under Eye Puffiness

Caffeine is a natural diuretic and increases blood flow to the area, which in turn reduces fluid accumulation and can help with those dreadful under-eye bags. I suggest mixing 2 TBS coffee grounds with some honey to form a thick paste. Honey is great because it is nourishing for the skin, and can help the coffee grounds to adhere better. Using a makeup brush, paint the coffee-paste gently under your eyes (or apply to your entire face). Alternatively, you can scoop with your fingers and gently apply that way as well.

Leave on for 15-20 minutes, and then rinse with cool water and gently pat dry. Let me know if you notice a difference!

3. Leftover Coffee Grounds: Fertilize Your Garden with Nutrient-Rich Grounds

Are you a gardener? Coffee grounds contain nutrients such as nitrogen, calcium, potassium, and iron that plants love and require to grow! You can actually use them to both fertilize your garden and deter bugs. Coffee grounds can also help prevent animals from urinating in your garden. Worms love coffee grinds, and worms are a gardener’s friend! Sprinkle your leftover grounds in your garden.

 

4. Leftover Coffee Grounds: Natural Deodorizer Your Fridge or Freezer

Coffee grounds absorb odors, similar to baking soda. Simply place your remaining grounds in a small bowl, and put them in the back of your fridge and freezer. You can also use them as an abrasive scrubber on dirty areas, like sinks and basins, with the bonus of also eliminating odors.

5.  Leftover Coffee Grounds: Brighten Your Brunette Hair

A hair rinse is one of my favorite uses (only for brunettes, sorry blondes)! Due to the bright, beautiful brown color of coffee, you can add some depth and shine to your hair-without expensive and harsh dyes or treatments. The grounds can also help to exfoliate your scalp, and the caffeine may help to stimulate hair growth. The antioxidants in coffee can help to strengthen your hair as well. You can create a nourishing hair mask that will also add shine to brunette hair. Mix coffee grounds with an egg white. Coat your hair in the shower and leave on 5-10 minutes (longer if you can). Rinse with cold water to lock in the shine.

Do you have any uses for coffee grounds that you would like to share? I’d love to hear them!