Rare Uses Of Coffee That You Didn’t Know

Surface Scrubber!

Image Source: Smithsonian

This is a great DIY solution for using harsh chemicals on your surfaces! If you use a cleaning cloth and some old coffee grounds, they combine well together as a mild abrasive to get those tough marks and stains off of counters, but won't damage your surface!

Compost

Image Source: Reddit

Coffee grounds are super rich in nitrogen! So? Well... Nitrogen helps plants convert sunlight into energy, so if you use coffee grounds in your compost your lovely plants will be thanking you endlessly! This is a great way to save waste as well because you can even use already-used coffee grounds!

Hair Rinse...

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Have you ever had it where you get residue build-up from using products in your hair? Well, if you massage used coffee grounds into your hair before using shampoo it gets rid of the residue left by styling products! This also helps people who struggle with shedding hair!

Cat Repellent!

Image Source: Reddit

So you've got a pesky cat that keeps coming and messing up your plants, getting in your bins, and whatever else cats do? Well, cats seem to hate the smell of coffee, so if you spread it all over your garden, or wherever else you need it should solve the problem! Top tip - add some orange peels in there as well to really repel them!

De-Odorize Fridges

Image Source: Reddit

Let's face it, everyone's been there! Whether it's spillages, cheese, or anything else that is a bit smelly in the fridge, one way to fix that overnight is to grab a bowl of coffee grounds and place it in the fridge overnight! The coffee will absorb any nasty smells, leaving your fridge smelling fresh again!

Fabric Dye

Image Source: Reddit

If you are in the fabric dyeing business, or just need something new to try because you're bored on a rainy day, why don't you try coffee dyeing as a new way of doing so? All you need to do is put your fabric in a mixture of coffee grounds and boiling hot water until it is the darkness of brown you want, rinse it off and you're all set!

Painting

Image Source: Reddit

Looking for a new way of being creative, or running out of paint? Use coffee! All you need to do is mix coffee with water - the more water you use the lighter and less intense the color will be! Then you've just got to be creative and see what you can create with your coffee paint!

Ant Repellent!

Image Source: Reddit

Got an infestation of ants? Well, coffee is a great way of keeping the little guys at bay without harming them! We aren't sure whether it's because of the size of the coffee or the smell, but if you put coffee at the entry points, the ants really aren't fans of coffee! Give it a go!

Pin Cushions!

Image Source: Reddit

So you love to sew, and you love coffee, well... here's a cracker for you! Why don't you make your own pin cushion out of coffee grounds? It'll make your sewing kit smell great, keep our hands safe and stop the needles from rusting! Everyone knows that you can't have too many pin cushions anyway!

Air Freshener

Image Source: Reddit

Yes, I love the smell of coffee, and if you're this far into the article I'm sure you do too! So why not make your very own D.I.Y air freshener with coffee grounds? All you need is an odd sock, put the coffee beans inside, tie it up with an elastic band and you'll be enjoying the smell of coffee for days!

Exfoliation!

Image Source: the girl in the cafe

We all know the benefits of exfoliating! Getting rid of those dead skin cells helps us look better, but also helps us take in more goodness from moisturizers and helps us feel better! Well, why don't you add some used coffee grounds to warm water or coconut oil and get scrubbing to get all the benefits of exfoliation with your used coffee?

Palate Cleanser...

Image Source: Reddit

Have you ever noticed that at many perfume counters, stores will have a small dish of coffee beans? This is because it is super hard to tell the difference in strong smells straight after one another, so the coffee beans cleanse your palate to be able to properly smell the next perfume you try!

Wood Stain!

Image Source: Reddit

If you have some wooden furniture or a fence that may need a good old revamp and pick me up, why not try and stain it with a natural wood stain coffee? Ok, granted, it might not quite look good as new when you're done, but this is a great way of reusing natural products to give your wood a touch-up!

Drain Cleaner!

Image Source: Reddit

Starting to get a bit of a nasty smell coming from your drains? Well, lots of people use coffee grounds that are leftover to fix this! Pour the used coffee grounds down the drain, and then follow up with boiling hot water! This should sort the smell out! I it persists then look at unblocking or hair removal techniques!

Cleaning Abrasive...

Image Source: Reddit

Another great use for coffee is for cleaning the toughest of dishes, pots, and pans! The Coffee grounds act as an abrasive, meaning that they will be able to get super tough stains out, they will absorb all the greasiness and they are soft enough not to damage your precious pans!

Attract Friendly Worms...

Image Source: Reddit

This one might not appeal to everyone... but if you are a garden fanatic, you'll know that worms are friends! They work wonders on gardens and soil and as a matter of fact, they are huge fans of coffee! So if you need more worms, get sprinkling your coffee grounds around your garden!

Reduce Cellulite!

Image Source: Reddit

I think cellulite is natural and beautiful, but I know many people want to get rid of or reduce theirs! Well, if that's you, coffee has your back! You can make your own scrub, by adding organic ground coffee, coconut oil, and brown coconut oil! This scrub will also reduce the effects of eczema and acne!

Breath Freshener

Image Source: instructables

We've all been there, out of mints, out of chewing gum and you feel like your breath could kill... Well, word on the street is if you pop a whole coffee bean into your mouth and suck on that, you will have fresher breath than ever in no time! Who'd have thought?

Reduce Eye-Bags...

Image Source: Reddit

Similar to reducing cellulite, if you grind up coffee and make it into a paste with coconut oil, it becomes a D.I.Y. facemask! If you apply it to the area underneath your eyes, the antioxidant properties of the coffee reduce inflammation and signs of aging!

Grow Mushrooms!

Image Source: Reddit

Are you as much of a fungus fan as I am? Well, coffee is a key component of growing some amazing mushrooms! All you need to get started is some coffee grounds and you will never have to head to the shop for your fix of mushrooms ever again! Similar to the compost earlier, the coffee will help you grow some amazing 'shrooms!

Pain Relief!

Image Source: Reddit

Been sitting at your computer all day and starting to get aches and pains in your neck, back, and/or head? Well scientists say that drinking a strong coffee can counter these aches! They believe it is because they block some pain receptors! So next time you've had a long day treat yourself to a cuppa joe!

Slug And Snail Repellent...

Image Source: Reddit

Another one for you gardeners! If you have slugs and snails sliming up and destroying your precious patches, put coffee grounds at the bottom of your plants and when you plant new plants! This will keep the slimy pests away as well as help the plants grow!

Printer Ink!

Image Source: Reddit

Ok, this one isn't for everyday use and everyday printers, but there has been a printer designed to print just using coffee and water... amazing right! It is called a RITI Printer, and does need a manual operation but is an amazing sustainable option and development!

Help Carrots Grow!

Image Source: Reddit

Vegetable patch much? Well, try and add some coffee grounds to your carrots! The natural nutrients in coffee are super stimulants for the carrot's growth. Just add dried coffee ground, in with your carrot seeds, and watch your carrot harvest blossom!

Flea Removal

Image Source: Reddit

Here's one to keep your precious pets healthy! Bugs really don't seem to like coffee! So after shampooing your fluffy friends sprinkle and rub coffee grounds into their fur, then rinse them again! This will keep pesky fleas at bay and give your pets a break from constant itching and scratching!

Meat Rub...

Image Source: Reddit

For you steak lovers... try coffee! Everyone knows about how delicious coffee is in the morning but try rubbing coffee grounds into a steak as seasoning before cooking and taste the deliciousness! The best flavor comes through when it is left to marinate for a few hours before cooking!

Hand Cleaner

Image Source: amazon

Ok ok, coffee is not going to sanitize your hands, but have you ever been chopping onions or garlic and just can't seem to get that smell off of your hands? Try coffee! Wash your hands using ground-up coffee and watch the smell disappear! Please still wash your hands with soap though!

Coffee Candle!

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Ever wanted your apartment or home to smell like an artisan coffee shop? Well, it can! Just put some coffee beans underneath a tea light and as the candle heats up, the aroma of the coffee beans will start to fill the room! All that's left is to put on some soothing jazz and get lost in your favorite book!

Stress Relief!

Image Source: Reddit

Caffeine is known to inhibit the brain's receptors for the chemical adenosine! These same receptors are the ones that control the negative effects of chronic stress... which can be reversed by, yep, you guessed it coffee! The caffeine in the coffee will reverse the behavior of chronic stress!

Hair Dye!

Image Source: Reddit

Another great use for coffee is using it as a sustainable and natural hair dye! It obviously can only be used to make light hair darker, but for you who desire a more natural brown look, using coffee is a great natural and healthy way of getting those brunette tones coming through!