How to Save Used Coffee Grounds for Later Use

Coffee grounds are often discarded as waste after brewing coffee. However, they can be repurposed for many uses around the home. Saving used coffee grounds is an easy way to reduce waste and get more value from your morning brew. This article covers different methods for saving coffee grounds so you can store them and use them later.

Why Save Used Coffee Grounds?

There are several benefits to saving used coffee grounds instead of throwing them in the trash:

• They make excellent fertilizer and soil amendments for gardens and houseplants. The grounds contain nitrogen, potassium, and other nutrients that plants need.

• Coffee grounds can be used for DIY beauty and skin care recipes. Exfoliating scrubs, masks, soaps, and more can be made with the grounds.

• The grounds can be added to compost piles to provide nitrogen. This helps balance carbon-rich “browns” like leaves and straw.

• Used coffee grounds are a natural deodorizer. Placing some in the fridge or garbage cans helps absorb odors.

• Grounds can be used to scour pots, pans, and even toilet bowls as a gentle abrasive cleaner.

• Creative reuse of coffee grounds reduces kitchen waste going to landfills

How to Dry Used Coffee Grounds

Fresh used coffee grounds have a high moisture content. If you want to save them for more than a few days before use, they need to be dried first. Here are some methods:

• Air drying Spread the grounds thinly on a baking sheet. Place in a warm sunny spot with good airflow. Mix and turn them daily to evenly dry.

• Oven drying: Spread grounds thinly on a baking sheet. Bake at 200°F for 30-60 minutes, mixing occasionally, until completely dry.

• Dehydrator: Spread grounds thinly on dehydrator trays. Dehydrate at 125°F for 1-2 hours until crisp dry.

• Microwave: Microwave small batches for 30-60 seconds to release moisture. Stir and rotate between batches.

• Sun drying: Spread grounds outside in direct sunlight. Cover with cheesecloth or netting to protect from birds. Bring inside at night.

Dried grounds will be crunchy and snap when pinched. When fully dried, they can be stored for future use.

How to Store Dried Used Coffee Grounds

To keep saved coffee grounds fresh for as long as possible:

• Store in airtight containers like mason jars, plastic containers, or zipper bags. Oxygen absorbers can be added to help preserve freshness.

• Keep containers in a cool, dark place like a pantry or cupboard. Avoid very humid areas.

• For longer storage, grounds can be kept in the refrigerator or freezer. Place in airtight bags or containers first.

• Glass and plastic containers are ideal for storage. Avoid metal as the grounds can corrode the container.

• Paper bags are okay for short-term storage of several weeks. The oils in the grounds can stain the bags over time.

• Always use dry utensils to scoop out stored coffee grounds. Any moisture introduced can cause premature spoilage.

Properly dried and stored grounds will remain usable for 9-12 months. If any moisture, clumping, or mold appears, it’s time to discard that batch.

Uses for Saved Used Coffee Grounds

Here are some of the top ways to use your stored coffee treasure:

• Fertilizer: Mix grounds into garden soil or sprinkle onto houseplants. The nitrogen feeds plants and soil microbiome.

• Compost: Add coffee grounds to compost piles and bins. They provide nitrogen for proper carbon/nitrogen balance.

• Exfoliant: Mix grounds with coconut oil or almond oil to make a skin-polishing body or face scrub.

• Deodorizer: Place an open container of dried grounds in the fridge, car, or garbage cans to absorb odors.

• Dyeing: Soak fabric or Easter eggs in coffee ground “tea” to naturally dye them brown.

• Pest control: Sprinkling grounds deters ants, slugs, and snails in the garden.

• Cleaning: Scour pots, pans, appliances, and even toilets with dried grounds to remove grime.

• Crafts: Add grounds to melt-and-pour soap, candle wax, or potpourri for visual interest.

With a simple drying and storage method, used coffee grounds can be kept for many inventive uses instead of being wasted. Follow these tips to easily save your grounds.