34 Unexpected Ways Coffee Grounds Can Make Your Life Better

Some flowering plants, like hydrangeas, change color depending on the pH level of the soil. Adding coffee grounds will reduce the pH level and give you bright blue flowers.

Unlike worms, slugs, snails, and other bugs don't like the acidity of coffee and won't cross the ground if it's sprinkled with java.

You can grow the funnest fungi around with just some coffee grounds and mushroom spores. Learn how here.

Mixing coffee grounds with the seeds before you plant carrots and radishes will keep pests and bugs away and increase your harvest.

Worms might not be the best pets, but they are great for your garden; they turn the soil and fertilize it with their own body processes. Worms are attracted to coffee grounds, so adding it to your garden beds will attract more of these helpful creatures.

Coffee grounds will add much-needed nitrogen to your compost bin. Just pour them in get decomposing.

Tired of your neighbors cats traipsing through your flowers? Just sprinkle some coffee grounds and orange peel where you don't want them to walk.

Using a coffee-soil mix for your flower vase not only looks cool and lengthens your cut flowers' life, it also acts as an air freshener in the room. Directions here.

It's edible (though probably not delicious) and is great for playing with fake snakes and worms. Get the instructions here.

Filling your pin cushion with coffee grounds will prevent your pins from rusting. Plus, it's like a sachet of good smells every time you use it.

Pro tip: Make sure to dry them thoroughly first by spreading them on a cookie sheet and placing them in the freezer for an hour or two.

All you need is coffee grounds, a can, and some double-sided tape. Get the instructions here.

A few coffee grounds on a rag can help scrape away caked-on dirt. Just make sure not to use it on ceramic or other dishes that stain easily.

If you want to sweep up the ashes from your fireplace, add some damp coffee grounds to the pile and sweep away. It will eliminate that dusty cloud.

Keep a little cup of coffee grounds near or under your sink, and rub a handful of them on your hands after chopping garlic or onions or other smelly things. The grounds will absorb the odor.

With this recipe, you can make these little cleaners that help your garbage disposal stay sharp and smelling fresh.

With coffee grounds, boiling water and a little dish soap, you can unclog your bathroom and kitchen drains. See how here.

Instead of baking soda, use a box of used coffee grounds to absorb smells in your fridge.

Use oil and coffee grounds or instant coffee to mask scratches in many shades of wood. Get the details here.

This technique makes new wood look antique. Get the full instructions here.

Using coffee as a spice for a meat rub will tenderize it and add a smokey flavor. Get a recipe here.

Recipe here.

This technique also works on paper and fabric. See how here.

All you need is a coffee cup with grounds, and some leftover wax ends from other candles. Directions here.

Perfect for your house or car. All you need is some coffee grounds and panty hose. See how to do it here.

Hide a treat inside, then bake tiny stones for little ones to excavate. See how here.

Coffee grounds and water (aka second-round coffee) make an excellent nontoxic paint.

Add some coffee grounds to your dog's shampoo to create a natural flea repellant.

The abrasive texture of coffee grounds will help strip oils and buildup from your hair. Pile them on in the shower or, for a much less messy strategy, just add some grounds to your shampoo or conditioner. (Best for brunettes as coffee can also darken hair.)

Just like coffee wakes YOU up in the morning, it can also wake up your face by reducing puffiness and tightening skin. See how it works here.

You can DIY this masculine (aka non-floral) soap out of recycled hotel soaps and coffee. It's a great (and nearly free) homemade gift for anyone on your list. See how here.

This rub will leave your whole body feeling soft and rejuvenated. See how to make it here.

This delicious-smelling morning mask will wake you up and exfoliate your face. Get the recipe here.

Coffee grounds make great gravel to help keep roads and sidewalks from being slippery, and the acid helps melt the ice quicker.

Most coffee shops (including most Starbucks) will give you bags of used grounds for free!