Coffee grounds and beans fell out of the portafilter.
When it comes to household waste, we are trying our best to reduce, reuse and recycle it. whether you are watching 9 ways you can reuse grass clippings after mowingor are using 5 Clever Ways to Reuse Old Bricks in Your Patio, there are all kinds of possibilities for getting more from your waste. One such residue that gets a lot of use is old coffee grounds.
Whether you use one of the best espresso machines or one of the best coffee makers, coffee grounds often end up straight in the trash. But in reality they are used throughout the house and yard. From improving your soil to deodorizing smelly areas, the possibilities are endless. If you’re curious to know how you can make the most of your old coffee grounds, we’ve listed 7 surprising uses for them here. You would never throw it straight into the trash, or put it back in the trash – you shouldn’t do that anyway; Coffee grounds are one of the 13 things you should never put in the trash,
1. Enhance your plants
Coffee grounds are being used to fertilize plants
First of all, coffee grounds are known to improve soil conditions as well as act as a fertilizer for your plants. In its composition, it includes magnesium, potassium, nitrogen and calcium – all key nutrients you want in your soil. In fact, if you purchase a soil testing kit, such as the Luster Leaf 1601 RapiTest Test Kit for Soil ($15, Amazon), you’ll find that they contain the nutrients you’re looking for. The mildly acidic nature will be appreciated by many plants, but use caution around seedlings, as it has been known to inhibit germination.
Simply sprinkle dry coffee around your houseplants for the best effect. You can also mix it directly into your soil outside, which improves overall aeration and moisture retention. Just be careful not to add too much soil to one concentrated spot – otherwise it can restrict the flow of water and air through the soil. Make sure it is spread finely and evenly over the surface and incorporated into the soil. You can also make ‘tea’ by mixing two cups of ground coffee with 5 gallons of water. Then apply directly to your plants.
Coffee grounds are one of 7 surprising household items to help your plants grow.
2. Drive away pests
ants crawling on the floor along the wall
Although we love the smell of coffee in the morning, many insects don’t like it. In fact, the smell of old turf and its gritty texture is so potent that it has been known to repel ants, mosquitoes, slugs and snails, and even cats and foxes – although experiences of its effectiveness vary. -Are different.
So by mixing coffee grounds with your soil, you can actively deter pests at the same time. You can alternatively create a sort of barrier around your previous plants using old coffee grounds, but be aware that this will need to be replaced regularly after being exposed to wind and rain.
You can also use coffee grounds as a repellent indoors. If you notice a lot of ants roaming around in your kitchen, simply sprinkle soil on small disposable surfaces like cardboard and strategically place these around your home. If you see a potential entry hole, make sure to place old grounds in front of it while you fill it with caulk.
We’ve also found 7 ant-repellent plants to keep your home pest-free.
3. Attract insects
dirt on hands
The best thing about old coffee grounds is that, as well as repelling annoying pests, it will also attract beneficial creatures – namely insects. Worms are great for your soil because they help break up and aerate the structure, meaning water flows more easily and plant roots can grow more easily. Plus, their castings can also provide valuable nutrients for your plants, so the more insects, the better.
Insects are attracted to coffee grounds as a source of food. It provides a gritty substance that aids their digestion. So this is another reason to support your plants with coffee grounds. Worms are also big fans of old coffee grounds in your compost pile, but more on that later.
4. Deodorize your litter
metal kitchen trash can
Like baking soda, old coffee grounds can help naturally deodorize a space. It works in the same way – by absorbing any odors and emitting a nutty scent in its place. It’s especially great for removing odors from trash cans; Simply sprinkle dry grounds into the base of the container before adding the fresh bag. is here How to remove odor from your trash can in 5 easy ways If you are looking for more ways.
It can work wonders in the best refrigerators as well as on your shelves. Simply place an open bowl filled with dry coffee grounds in such confined spaces, and wait for it to work its magic. You can also use it to deodorize your hands if you’re chopping onions or garlic – rub it directly onto your skin and exfoliate as well.
5. Improve your compost
Fresh produce being thrown into the compost heap
As mentioned earlier, old coffee grounds contain many essential nutrients for your soil, including copious amounts of nitrogen, so it makes sense that it’s a welcome addition to the compost pile too. Old coffee grounds make a good compost when balanced with brown matter (3 parts brown, 1 part green is best). It attracts and nourishes microorganisms (including insects), which decompose the material more quickly.
Don’t forget, your coffee filters can go on the compost heap too, but only as long as they’re made of paper – you’ll need to check out other materials. we have also found 11 things you should never throw in the compost heap,
6. Clean pots and pans
Someone wearing pink gloves cleaning dishes in the sink
The friction of old coffee grounds is also used in the kitchen. For example, if you have an old pot, pan or baking sheet that has caked-on residue on the base, it may help to remove it. Simply sprinkle the grounds on your brush or sponge, and scrub as usual with dish soap and water. Just keep in mind that it shouldn’t be used on any materials that are prone to scratching, such as copper. You can always test on an inconspicuous area first.
It can also be applied to your pots or garden tools and planters. Old coffee grounds are great for removing tough, stuck-on residue, and can promote a deeper clean because it has antifungal and antimicrobial properties.
You can remove residue from utensils by using Cola-Cola. This is one of the 7 Things You Never Knew You Could Do With Coca-Cola,
7. Fix scratches
dark wood chest of drawers with one drawer open
Finally, if you have fine scratches on your dark wood furniture, whether from everyday use or pets, coffee grounds can help you here too. This is because it contains tannins, which when applied color light surfaces.
Simply apply damp earth to the scratch – a cotton swab can help with precision here. Then, let it sit for a few minutes before wiping off with a damp microfiber cloth. The exposed light wood should be darker in color. Repeated applications may be necessary, but with this method the scratches will eventually disappear and be hidden.
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