10 things you can do with used coffee grounds

With more and more of us enjoying regular cups of coffee throughout the day, have you ever thought about what you can do with all your used coffee grounds? Reusing and recycling coffee grounds is not only good for the environment, but also for you, including – softening your skin and keeping cats off of your vegetable patch!

Here we reveal 10 interesting things that you can do with your used coffee grounds.

• Revitalising your hair. Many of today’s natural shampoos and conditioners leave a heavy residue that can weigh the hair down. The build up can be removed by using coffee grounds which will lift hair and add a natural shine. Before shampooing, simply grab a handful of used grounds and massage into your hair.
• Treatment for your cellulite. Poor diet, sedentary lifestyles and smoking can all cause cellulite. Using a simple mix of used coffee grounds and water as a scrub for ten minutes twice a week should show an improvement within a month.
• Fertiliser for gardens. For acid loving plants and flowers like camellias and roses, fertilisers made from old coffee grounds mixed with dead grass clippings and leaves, will boost your plants and keep them healthy!
• Pest Repellent. Sprinkling used coffee grounds around outdoor plants can help protect them from pests such as ants, snails and slugs.
• Soften your skin. Exfoliating with a body scrub made from coffee grounds, coconut oil and brown sugar can do wonders for the skin!
• Keep cats away. To help keep cats off of your garden, mix coffee grounds with orange peel and distribute around your plants.
• Make a sepia dye. Soaking used coffee grounds in hot water can be used as as sepia dye for such things as easter eggs, fabric and paper by producing a soft brown coloured tinge.
• Absorbing food odours. Used coffee grounds can be used to absorb odours by simply placing them in a small open container in the back of the fridge or freezer.
• Cleaning out the fireplace. Coffee grounds can make the process of cleaning out the fireplace less messy as scattering them over the ashes will weigh them down and reduce smoke and dust.
• Candle making. If you love the smell of coffee then you will love coffee candles. Check out his link http://www.popsugar.com/smart-living/Upcycled-Paper-Coffee-Cup-Candle-31102984 on how to make the candles using paper cups and coffee grounds.