The current pandemic drove people to stay productive and focused every day in their homes. Some follow strict schedules to manage their time efficiently, while others incorporate rest and meditation into their work routines. Whatever one does to stick to their daily goals, most people depend on one thing to stay energized for the whole week–coffee!
The fresh scent of coffee might be enough to power people to work through their sea of tasks. But after multiple brews, you’ll have to replace your grounds to have new batches of delicious, fragrant coffee. So what do you do with used coffee grounds after all the flavor has gone?
Here are five ways to upcycle your coffee grounds and save them from getting thrown in the trash:
Your plants also need extra love and care, whether they’re indoors or outdoors. Dry your used coffee grounds, then apply a layer of the grains to your plants’ soil. The grounds will act as a mulch that prevents weed growth and pests from infesting your precious greens. If you have an outdoor garden in your Idesia Dasmariñas home, you may use coffee as mulch to encourage healthy and beautiful plants.
Using coffee grounds as a mulch for your indoor plants may also produce a subtle brewed coffee smell in your home. You’ll enjoy the fragrance of your favorite drink through the small potted succulent or bonsai on your work desk. Plus, the mulch will serve as an organic fertilizer for your plants.
Used coffee grounds are perfect substrates for growing mushrooms at home. Mix it with soil, fertilizer, compost, and other substrates–straw, sawdust, and wood chips–to create the perfect layer to nurture your mushroom spawns.
Because coffee grounds tend to be coarse when fully dried, mist it regularly to encourage a healthy environment for your baby mushrooms to grow; cover it with a damp cloth to prevent moisture from evaporating. By keeping your coffee ground substrate moist, you’ll have plush and healthy mushrooms perfect for soups, stews, and stir-fried dishes.
Bring out the artist in you by grabbing a cup of coffee and using it as paint! Used or stale coffee grounds may not have the same bold and delicious flavors, but they may still have the dark brown coffee that stains paper and canvas well.
Brew your coffee stains by pouring hot water on the grounds. Let your coffee paint sit for a few hours to get as much color as you can. Add a little bit of fresh coffee to create darker and more concentrated tones. Make light values by pouring your coffee mix into separate bowls and adding varying amounts of water; the more water, the lighter the value will be. Sketch your piece, and start painting!
Coffee contains certain compounds, namely caffeine and diterpenes, that are highly toxic to bugs. Place bowls of coffee grounds on areas where you want insects to steer clear of; these could be the nooks and crannies of your pantry, food cupboards, or kitchen countertop. Your coffee insect repellent may ward off the ants and cockroaches from claiming your groceries.
Like the coffee mulch hack, sprinkle coffee grounds on your lawn and plant beds. The coffee won’t just prevent weeds from growing and ruining your garden but also keep slugs, snails, and aphids from infesting your plants.
Besides providing strong and comforting fragrances, coffee grounds also absorb foul odors. Fill small containers with coffee grounds and place them in areas you want to eliminate unpleasant smells; this could be your fridge, cupboards, shoe rack, and the inside of your car. The coffee will absorb the bad odors overnight.
Coffee grounds are also excellent in eliminating strong odors on your hands. After cleaning fish or cutting onions, garlic, and ginger, rub coffee grounds on your hands like you would with soap. Rinse, and your hands will smell fresh and clean.
So before you throw away your used coffee grounds, look at the five ways to upcycle them and extend their usage. You’ll have healthy plants, fresh-smelling spaces, a pest-free home, and creative artworks while practicing a sustainable, zero-waste lifestyle.
WhatsApp