Practical life: don't throw away coffee grounds anymore, here are 7 tips for reusing them at home

A carbonaceous material, coffee grounds are an excellent addition to your compost, mixed with other elements. They will promote the decomposition of organic matter and attract earthworms, those essential soil workers. But be careful not to overuse them: used in excess, or directly on plants, they can acidify the soil and even act as a weedkiller!

Gardeners know it: slugs, snails, and ants can wreak havoc on plants. But coffee grounds, with their slightly abrasive grains and strong odor, provide a formidable natural barrier against these unwanted visitors. To protect your plants, simply sprinkle a little around your plants. This technique also works around your windows or doors if you want to deter pests from entering your home.

You can also burn coffee grounds in a small bowl to create a strong-smelling smoke, which will effectively keep flying insects (especially wasps, flies and mosquitoes) away from your summer tables.

Thanks to its granular texture, coffee grounds can replace abrasive powders in many household tasks. They are particularly effective for degreasing pans, scrubbing stovetops, and also for maintaining your drains and reducing unpleasant odors. To do this, simply rub gently with a damp sponge or cloth, then rinse.

Coffee grounds have the ability to absorb unpleasant odors. Placed in a bowl at the bottom of the refrigerator, they neutralize unpleasant odors without flavoring food. You can also slip a small bag into damp shoes or the bottom of a trash can to limit the smell. To ensure optimal effectiveness, simply remember to replace it every two weeks.

5. A natural skin scrub

A gentle and economical exfoliant, coffee grounds are an excellent ingredient for homemade skincare. Mixed with a little vegetable oil (such as olive or coconut oil), they make an effective scrub for your face and body. From the first application, they will rid your skin of dead cells, stimulate blood circulation, and leave you feeling soft. With regular use, they can even help reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Less well-known, coffee grounds can also be used as a natural scalp exfoliant, especially if you have oily hair, dandruff, or use a lot of styling products. Using them is said to stimulate blood circulation, regulate sebum, and help eliminate impurities. To use, apply 2 to 3 tablespoons of wet grounds or grounds mixed with a little vegetable oil (such as coconut or jojoba oil) to a wet scalp, then massage gently for a few minutes before rinsing thoroughly and shampooing as usual. This treatment should be done once or twice a month, preferably on dark hair, as it can slightly tint light hair.

7. A natural dye for paper or fabric

Finally, for those who enjoy crafts, coffee grounds can be used as a natural dye. They can be used to create brown and sepia tones, ideal for giving an aged look to a sheet of paper or dyeing cotton fabric. To color your paper or fabric, simply steep the grounds in a little hot water, then dip the desired surface in it. The result, discreet and elegant, will evoke old notebooks or linens weathered by time.