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Upcycling guide

Four Ways to Get Started

Explore four simple ways to give used coffee grounds a second life. Choose a tab for the full step-by-step guide, and discover just a few of the many things your grounds can become.

Two burlap drawstring sachets beside a small glass jar of dried coffee grounds, with loose grounds scattered on a wood counter.

Deodorizer

Turn fully dried coffee grounds into a simple odor absorber for refrigerators, closets, shoes, and other small spaces.

  1. Spread used coffee grounds on a tray and let them dry completely.
  2. Place the dried grounds in a small open container or breathable pouch.
  3. Set it in your refrigerator, closet, shoes, or another odor-prone space.
  4. Replace every one to two weeks, or whenever the grounds become damp.

Tip: Make sure the grounds are fully dry to prevent mold.

A green garden scoop full of dark soil next to a small succulent, an empty terra cotta pot, and potted plants dusted with soil.

Compost

Add used coffee grounds to your compost pile to help turn everyday food waste into nutrient-rich material for your garden.

  1. Let the used coffee grounds cool.
  2. Add them to your compost as a nitrogen-rich "green" material.
  3. Mix them with plenty of dry "brown" materials, such as leaves, cardboard, or shredded paper.
  4. Turn the compost regularly and keep it lightly moist until it breaks down.

Tip: Coffee grounds should be one part of a balanced compost mix, not the main ingredient.

An open jar of coffee scrub surrounded by soap bars, a loofah, and a bristle brush, with coffee grounds scattered on linen.

Body Scrub

Mix fully dried coffee grounds with a few simple ingredients to create a gently exfoliating body scrub.

  1. Dry the used coffee grounds completely.
  2. Mix 2 tablespoons of grounds with 2 tablespoons of coconut or olive oil.
  3. Gently massage a small amount onto damp skin using circular motions.
  4. Rinse thoroughly and store any remaining scrub in a clean, sealed container.

Tip: Patch-test first, avoid the face and irritated skin, and use a drain strainer to keep grounds out of your plumbing.

A lit candle in a glass jar studded with coffee beans, its gold lid resting beside it on a stack of books.

Bug-Repellent Candle

Give dried coffee grounds a decorative second life in an outdoor candle designed to add a warm coffee aroma to patios and porches.

  1. Dry the used coffee grounds completely.
  2. Secure a candle wick in the center of a heat-safe jar.
  3. Melt candle wax according to the package instructions.
  4. Pour the wax into the jar and add only a small amount of dried grounds, keeping them well away from the wick.
  5. Let the candle cool and harden completely before trimming the wick.

Safety: Never leave a candle unattended. Coffee-scented candles should not be relied on as a proven method of preventing mosquito bites.

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A quick tip.Always dry coffee grounds you’re not using right away, since damp grounds can quickly develop mold. Spread them in a thin layer on a tray and let them dry completely, stirring occasionally. Once fully dry and cool, store them in an airtight container.

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