Sustainability is at the heart of what we do at Pact. That’s why we’ve delved into the popular uses for leftover coffee grounds in the past (a face scrub, for instance!). Whilst also debunking the myth that they’re good for your garden (caffeine isn’t as fun for plants as it is for us). 

But we thought it was high time we shared with you some of the lesser known uses for coffee grounds that you can enjoy.

Why would I reuse my old coffee grounds?

While used coffee grounds lose that amazing fresh flavour after brewing, they do retain some great qualities that mean they can still be used for other purposes. Just think of that delicious aroma, unique texture and rich colour – all natural and very beneficial if used correctly.

Brew your own beer with used coffee grounds

We bet you didn’t see this one coming, but consider a pint of Guinness and suddenly it won’t seem so strange.

Many dark beers and stouts use brewed coffee to add depth of flavour to the final product, the naturally occurring flavours in both drinks (such as chocolate and nuts) easily compliment each other. 

Whether you are already a brewer of beer, or you’re contemplating trying it out, employing coffee in the process is easy.

Simply place your used coffee grounds in a muslin or cheesecloth and steep in water for around 24 hours. Then, remove the grounds and add the resulting cold brew to your beer – delicious.

Make your own candles with coffee grounds

It won’t come as much of a surprise that we think coffee is the best scent in the world! Making candles with coffee grounds is a wonderful way to fill your home with that sweet smell whenever you like and it’s simpler than you might think.

Carefully melt some wax – we recommend a natural wax like soy or coconut for a clean burn. Once melted, add a little fragrance if you like, vanilla will go very well with coffee.

Place some used, dried coffee grounds in the bottom of your candle container (make sure it’s safe and heat proof) and place the wick in the centre of them. Then layer melted wax with coffee grounds until your container is nearly full and allow to cool.

Hey presto! You’ve made a great smelling candle that will look very aesthetically pleasing as it burns too.

Keep smells at bay by reusing your coffee grounds

Banish unpleasant odours with the power of coffee! Already popular for keeping your fridge smelling appetising, you can use the same trick for other places too.

Smelly gym bag? Less-than-aromatic car interior? Put some dried coffee grounds into some socks or old tights (or something fancier, if you have it!). Then stash them inconspicuously wherever you might need a fragrant improvement. 

Easy peasy, au natural air fresheners.

Use old coffee grounds to dye clothes, furniture or even hair!

Remember the days of using an old tea bag on paper to create an ancient treasure map or ye olde letter? Well, take that principle and use coffee to revamp any number of things.

Dye your clothes - brew the old coffee grounds and then soak your clothes in the liquid until you’ve achieved the desired shade. The longer you leave it, the darker it will get.

Cover up furniture scratches on (brown) wooden furniture - using a cotton wool bud, apply coffee grounds to the scratch. Leave for 5-10 minutes before removing and repeat if necessary. 

Dye your hair – brew some coffee with your old grounds and when it is cool, mix it in with some conditioner. Apply to your hair and leave it for at least an hour before rinsing thoroughly. 

Inspired? 

Why not set yourself a challenge to start a new creative hobby - whether it’s making your own coffee-infused home brew or creating beautiful homemade candles for friends, subscribe to Pact for tasty coffee straight to your door.

Kick-start an endless supply of grinds to fuel your new passion with £5 off your first order.