For the following, I recommend using coffee grounds from Beanstalk and Leaves, available in 3 flavors- Shotgun, Velvet Dew, and Smooth Operator. You can buy them
Here,
Here, or
Here.
HOUSEHOLD USES
1. Remove hard-to-clean dirt on tiles and kitchen counters
Mix your grounds with soapy water and scrub on the surface of the stain with a dishcloth.
2. Clean a dirty grill
The thinking behind this is the same as the above. The grainy texture of the grounds will remove the build-up of grease.
3. Exterminate fleas from your pet
When bathing your dog (or cat), after shampooing and before rinsing rub some of the grounds into their fur.
4. Unblock the sink
If your drains are clogged, pour the grounds into the sink followed by liquid soap and a kettle of boiling water.
5. Erase scratches off your furniture
Mix up the grounds with vinegar and warm water and rub the paste gently on to the scratched surface. Use a cotton bud for thin and faint scratches.
6. Scour your pans
Only do this on pans that don’t stain easily. The abrasive nature of the grounds will scrape away caked-on dirt.
7. Bake delicious and flavourful brownies
Instead of using milk when you make your brownies, just add some freshly ground coffee for a rich, caffeine jolt.
8. As a meat tenderiser and seasoning
This works in two ways. Coffee grounds work as a tenderiser because, as they caramelise, they form a crust that locks in all the moisture of the meat. This not only adds a savoury-sweet flavour to your BBQ (pork works best with this) but once your meat is cooked, it will be fork-tender.
9. After chopping alliums
Simply rub used coffee grounds on your hands once you’re done with the chopping. The grounds will neutralise strong odours.
BEAUTY
10. Reduce under-eye puffiness
It’s not just teabags that can do this - coffee too has been known to remove puffiness from under your eyes. Simply mix up the coffee grounds with some water and make into a paste. Smear it on the affected area and leave to rest for 15 minutes.
11. Get rid of cellulite
Massage a mixture of grounds and coconut into the troubled spots, leave for a few minutes then rinse off. Keep doing this every day for two weeks and you will soon notice the difference.
12. Wash your face
For an inexpensive exfoliant, simply mix a spoonful of grounds, with a few drops of olive oil and a couple more drops of an essential oil of your liking.
13. Wash your hair
The grittiness of the grounds will strip your hair of product build-up from your hair and leave it squeaky clean. Brunettes will benefit most from this as coffee also darkens your hair colour.
IN THE GARDEN
14. Composting
Rich in nitrogen, coffee grounds are great for composting and a firm favourite of worms. If you have a compost pile, use one part freshly mown grass clippings to one part leaves to one part grounds. Don’t just use freshly brewed grounds for this – they need some time to break down in the compost for this to work.
15. Banish slugs and snails
nstead of salting your outdoor surfaces to keep away the slugs, just sprinkle the used grounds on your patio and around the flower beds and you will never have to deal with slugs again as they don’t like the acidity of coffee.
16. Grow a healthy crop of carrots
Mix used up grounds with carrot seeds and they will be easier to sow.
17. Change the colour of your flowers
This works especially well for hydrangeas as their colour can be manipulated simply by altering the pH levels of the soil. The coffee grounds reduces the pH level and will give you bright blue blooms.
ARTS AND CRAFTS
18. Paint
Coffee grounds mixed with water (used different amounts of grounds with varying levels of water) are an easy way to paint sepia-toned pictures
19. Make your own candles
Coffee fans who can’t go without a sniff of their favourite bean can turn old grounds into candles. All you need is a small paper cup, one sheet of kitchen roll, a cup of wax candle ends, a small saucepan, candle wick, scissors, and a small metal or glass mixing bowl.
20. Make new wood look old
A tablespoon of coffee grounds, white vinegar, one steel wool pad and an old jam jar are all you need. Simply place the steel wool and grounds in the jar and fill it to the top with the vinegar. Let the mixture stew for a day. The vinegar will slowly start to dissolve the steel wool, which will give your wood a silvery patina. Once the 24 ours are up, all you need to do is remove the steel wool (remember to wear gloves) and start painting over your piece of wood. Let the first coat dry, brush off the coffee grounds and apply a second coat.
