Did you know? Worldwide, nearly 400 billion cups of coffee are consumed each year, resulting in tons of coffee grounds. A residue of coffee brewing, it's unfairly considered waste. This is a serious mistake, because this "brown gold" (its nickname) is a veritable treasure trove of nutrients that you can use in countless ways. Rich in potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and nitrogen, its many benefits make it a valuable everyday ally, and these 5 tips will show you why.
Odor-neutralizing and cleansing
Coffee grounds are an excellent household product. Place an open, damp container in the refrigerator or sprinkle some directly into the trash can or your homemade soap recipes. Thanks to its antibacterial properties, it degreases, cleans, and absorbs unpleasant odors. Replace it when it dries out.
To unclog your drains, simply pour some down your sink, bath, or washbasin pipes and then run hot water to flush everything away. You kill two birds with one stone by cleaning your pipes and eliminating stubborn odors at the same time!
5 beauty treatments: face, body and hair!
#1 Coffee grounds are an excellent facial exfoliant. Simply mix them with a little honey—adjust the amount according to your skin's reaction—and an oil of your choice (olive, avocado, almond, etc.). For a tightening effect, use it as a mask for a few minutes or gently massage it onto your face and neck, then rinse thoroughly. You can also use it as a lip treatment, gently exfoliating and wiping with a damp cloth for a softened result.
#2 The caffeine content of the coffee grounds and its grainy texture make it an excellent restorative exfoliant for the body: in the shower and on wet skin, massage gently and rinse.
#3 Its decongestant and anti-inflammatory properties make coffee grounds a good ally for reducing puffiness and dark circles under the eyes. Mix 1 teaspoon of plain yogurt with 1 teaspoon of coffee grounds and apply to the eyes, leaving it on for no more than a few minutes: the eye contour is a very delicate area.
#4 Coffee grounds restore color to brown hair - they are not recommended for blonde hair, unless you want to dye it! Use it as a natural tint in your conditioner or in a simple recipe mixing coffee grounds and vegetable oil: this will restore shine to your hair.
#5 Note that when used as a mask or scrub, it can also be soothing for the scalp. By acting as an exfoliant, it will purify it, reduce excess sebum, and calm any irritation.
Our advice: massage gently and do not use on sensitive or fragile skin.
compost activator
Boost your compost by adding coffee grounds. Thanks to their properties, they help earthworms better digest organic matter, which speeds up the process of transforming plant matter into compost. Use them sparingly, however, and don't exceed 20% of the added materials.
Fertilizer
Coffee grounds, rich in various nutrients, make an excellent fertilizer when mixed with soil. Used sparingly, they enrich the soil and strengthen plants. The immediate benefit comes from potassium and magnesium, which are quickly absorbed by the soil and plants. Nitrogen and phosphorus are absorbed more slowly and gradually. This mixture of soil and grounds promotes seed germination.
It is also effective as a natural repellent against insects and other pests such as ants, aphids, slugs, and snails. Caution: it is also toxic to dogs and cats. Therefore, do not overuse it. Place a small amount around your plants, mixed with water, and spray the plants with it.
Convinced? We're definitely taking note: coffee grounds aren't just a source of nutrients for our tomato and chive plants, they also help us grow our mushrooms! ;)
