What to Do with Used Coffee Grounds

6 Eco-Friendly Ways to Reuse Them at Home

At Maria’s Superior Coffee, we believe that great coffee doesn’t end when the cup is empty. As part of our commitment to sustainability and reducing waste, we’re encouraging our community to give used coffee grounds a second life. Whether you brew at home or stop by our café, you can collect used coffee grounds for free to use in practical, eco-conscious ways around your home and garden.

Not sure where to start? Here are six creative and environmentally friendly uses for coffee grounds:

1. Feed Your Garden 

Coffee grounds are a gardener’s best friend. Rich in nitrogen and organic matter, they make an excellent soil amendment and compost booster. Adding used coffee grounds to your garden improves soil texture, attracts earthworms, and helps plants thrive. They’re especially great for acid-loving plants like roses, hydrangeas, and tomatoes. Coffee grounds can also act as a natural pest repellent, keeping slugs, snails, and ants away from your plants.

2. Natural Odour Neutraliser 

Used coffee grounds have powerful odour-absorbing properties. Place dried grounds in a bowl in your fridge, freezer, or bathroom to eliminate unpleasant smells. You can also stuff them into old socks or pantyhose and use them as DIY sachets for cupboards, gym bags, or shoes.

3. Exfoliating Body Scrub 

Used coffee grounds make an excellent exfoliant for your skin. Combine the grounds with natural ingredients like coconut oil or honey to create a homemade body scrub that removes dead skin cells, improves circulation, and leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth. Plus, the caffeine in coffee is said to help reduce the appearance of cellulite and puffiness.

4. Pet Deodoriser and Grooming Aid 

Used coffee grounds can help neutralise odours in your pet’s coat. Gently rub damp coffee grounds through your dog’s fur (especially after a muddy adventure!) and rinse thoroughly. It’s a safe, natural alternative to chemical-laden pet shampoos. Note: Not recommended for light-coloured coats.

5. Eco-Friendly Cleaning Scrub 

The coarse texture of coffee grounds makes them an effective, non-toxic abrasive for scrubbing surfaces like sinks, stove tops, and cookware. Mix the grounds with a bit of liquid soap or baking soda for an all-natural cleaning solution that’s tough on grime but gentle on the planet.

6. Fireplace Dust Control 

Cleaning your fireplace can be a messy job—but coffee grounds make it easier. Sprinkling damp coffee grounds over the ashes before sweeping helps weigh down dust and ash particles, making clean-up quicker and cleaner.

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Visit Maria’s Superior Coffee in Graaff-Reinet

Next time you visit Maria’s Superior Coffee in Graaff-Reinet, don’t forget to grab a bag of our used coffee grounds — completely free! We're proud to offer a small, sustainable solution that helps our customers reduce waste while reaping the benefits of coffee, even after the brew.

Let’s work together to make coffee more sustainable — from bean to brew, and beyond.