10 Ways to Reuse Coffee Grounds

Coffee has more to offer than just putting some pep in your step. Coffee grounds in particular are packed with antioxidant-rich nutrients and minerals that are just asking to be soaked up, and they can be in more ways than one. Old coffee grounds can be mixed into potting soil, applied as a facial mask or used as a natural stain for furniture. The uses and benefits of coffee grounds are endless, so before you throw away your coffee grounds, consider these 10 ways to reuse coffee grounds:

1. Fertilizer
   Coffee grounds are a good fertilizer for compost piles and acid-loving plants, such as tomatoes, roses, azaleas and evergreen. Coffee grounds add minerals, vitamins and nitrogen to the soil and improve the overall soil structure.
2. Deodorizer
   Freshen up your refrigerator or freezer with dried out coffee grounds to remove foul odors. You can also rub coffee grounds on your hands to get rid of smells from food preparation.
3. Exfoliant
   Coffee grounds can be used as an exfoliant when massaged over the skin to remove dead skin cells and brighten your complexion. Coffee contains antioxidants that help tighten and firm the skin, and an aroma that is sure to perk you up.
4. Insect Repellant
   Keep ants, snails, slugs and other pesky bugs away by sprinkling coffee grounds on potted plants, soil, ant piles and grass and they'll take their business elsewhere. Test the repellant power of coffee grounds by giving your dog a coffee ground flea bath. After shampooing your pup, rub coffee grounds through his/her wet hair and rinse.
5. Cleaning Product
   Coffee grounds have abrasive qualities that make it a good cleaning product for scouring greasy, caked-on messes from stain-resistant pots, pans and household surfaces. Make sure the area is stain-resistant or test it on a small spot to make sure it doesn't stain.
6. Furniture Scratch Filler
   Coffee grounds have powerful staining abilities, which come in handy for fixing furniture scratches. To do so, add a little water to coffee grounds and use a Q-tip or thin paintbrush to fill in nicks and scratches on dark furniture.
7. Coffee Conditioner
   Attention brunettes: Coffee contains natural antioxidants and nutrients that will add shine and softness to your dark locks. Coffee grounds can also add highlights and improve scalp health, while the caffeine provides sun blocking effects. While hair is wet, rub coffee grounds evenly around your head and rinse thoroughly.
8. Cellulite Buster
   Believe it or not, coffee grounds have been linked to diminishing the appearance of cellulite. Its key ingredient, caffeine, helps blood flow to the skin and works like a diuretic, resulting in firmer skin and less noticeable cellulite. To test out this beauty trick, mix 1 tablespoon of olive oil with 1/4 cup of moist, warm coffee grounds and apply to your problem areas. Then, tightly wrap the areas with shrink wrap and leave it on for a few minutes. Remove wrap and shower. For best results, repeat this process two to three times a week.
9. Dye
   If you want mocha-colored stationary or brown Easter eggs, dip your items in a mixture of coffee grounds and water or rub wet coffee grounds on surface until stained. You can also dye linens and clothes using coffee grounds, but make sure you wash coffee-dyed items separately.
10. Homemade Tattoos
    Forget needles and permanency, make your own tattoo at home with (you guessed it) coffee grounds. Homemade temporary tattoos can be made by using coffee, henna and essential oils to create a paste that can be applied with a toothpick, cone or squeeze bottle. You can find a number of henna tattoo how-to guides online.