Coffee grounds: before throwing them away, reuse them at home in six ingenious ways

Whether you are passionate about espressos or a more classical coffee lover, you will certainly agree on one thing: coffee is more than just a simple, hot drink. It is a hug that we allow ourselves when we need to recharge or when we feel down in the dumps, or an excuse to spend time in the company of those we love. Sometimes, it is simply a ritual with which we end or start some activity.

Depending on the preparation, after drinking, you have to decide what to do with the coffee grounds: throw them away or reuse them? We would advise the latter. In fact, there are many ways in which you can recycle coffee grounds at home; here is a list of six of them.

1. Removing odors from the refrigerator

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When you open the refrigerator, you might be "attacked" by bad or strong smells. If so, you are probably storing some very strong-smelling foods (fish, onions, garlic, etc), or you have forgotten about some food and it has turned rotten. But what can be done to get rid of the odor? Fill a cup with dry coffee grounds and put it on a shelf in the fridge and the smell will disappear quickly!

2. Scratched furniture

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If you have dark, wood furniture with scratches, don't worry about it: coffee grounds will solve this problem in no time. Mix the coffee grounds with a little warm water or seed oil until you get a thick paste that you should spread on the scratch. Let the paste act for a few minutes before removing it and, if the scratches have not completely disappeared, repeat the operation. Your furniture will be as good as new.

3. Ant repellant

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If your home has been invaded by ants, avoid buying commercial products to kill them. Instead, leave some coffee grounds in the areas of greatest traffic and the ants will be repelled.

4. Stain removal

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Do you have stubborn stains on the various surfaces in your home? You can easily remove them by wiping them down with a damp sponge and coffee grounds. A few circular wipes and the stains will disappear!

5. Dyeing fabrics

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You can easily get a natural dye for fabrics (or an "ink" to use on canvas or paper) by boiling your coffee grounds in water. Use this liquid to dye your clothes in a creative way.

6. Cleaning the drains

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To unblock the drains of sinks and toilets, or simply to clean them and keep them in optimal condition, you can use coffee grounds. Add two tablespoons of grounds to hot water and pour it down the drain: you will eliminate not only dirt residue, but bad smells too!

These were just a few examples of how you can reuse coffee grounds, but there are many other uses: for example, as a beauty treatment for skin and hair, in the garden for your plants, in your car. How do you use your coffee grounds?