Creative uses for used coffee grounds
Coffee is one of the most popular beverages around the world. If you typically discard the grounds left behind after your coffee is brewed, then keep reading to discover some creative uses for them! At Perfect Element Coffee Co., we’re proud to offer the highest quality coffee beans to help you enjoy fresh coffee at home.
Fertilize Your Garden
Since most soil doesn’t contain the essential nutrients needed for optimal plant growth, you probably purchase fertilizer on a regular basis. As plants grow, they absorb nutrients from the soil, which can ultimately leave it depleted. Instead of spending a lot of money for a fertilizer that was likely created with a number of chemical ingredients, save yourself some money by using spent coffee grounds. Coffee grounds contain several key minerals for plant growth — nitrogen, calcium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, and chromium. They may also help absorb heavy metals that can contaminate the soil. What’s more, coffee grounds help attract worms, which are great for your garden. Simply sprinkle coffee grounds onto the soil surrounding your plants and watch them thrive!
Compost It for Later
Composting is a natural process that turns organic items such as food scraps and yard debris into a dark, rich material that is perfect for use in your yard or garden. It can help the soil hold onto more nutrients and water. Some studies indicate that when you add coffee grounds to your compost, the resulting product is richer in nutrients than compost made from waste alone. Other items to compost include grass clippings, leaves, bark, shredded newspaper, brush, herbs, eggshells, stale bread, and fruit and vegetable trimmings. Avoid using meat, fish scraps, dairy products, grease, and oil in your compost pile.
Repel Insects and Pests
Certain compounds found in coffee, such as caffeine, and diterpenes, can be highly toxic to insects. They are effective at deterring mosquitos, fruit flies, and beetles, and they may help keep other pests away too. To use coffee grounds as an insect and pest repellent, set out several bowls of coffee grounds or sprinkle them around any outdoor seating areas. By scattering coffee grounds around your plants, you can also protect them from slugs and snails, as they don’t like to cross over this particular barrier.
Remove Fleas from Your Pet
If your dog or cat seems to attract fleas like crazy and you’re tired of spending money on products that don’t seem to work, try using coffee grounds. They don’t contain harsh chemicals and are a more natural treatment. The good news is that fleas don’t seem to like coffee, which could make this a great option for you and your furry friend. Simply rub the grounds throughout your pet’s fur after shampooing, and then rinse them off and allow your pet to dry as usual. However, since coffee grounds may be less effective than a prescription product, you may want to contact your vet if this treatment doesn’t work. Be careful to use coffee grounds only externally, as they can be toxic to dogs.
