10 Surprising Uses for Coffee That Don’t Involve Drinking It

For the people who manage to make it through each day without tossing back cup after cup of Mother Nature’s deliciously bitter bean water, coffee might seem totally useless. And even if you do run on java, you may not realize how useful those leftover grounds can be. From fertilizing your garden to making boxed brownies taste homemade, here are 10 ways to make the most of coffee without drinking a drop.

1. Fix furniture scuffs and scratches.

You can claim the scuffs are what give your coffee table its character, but would you say the same if you knew how easy it was to get rid of them? This DIY stain from PopSugar calls for your leftover coffee grounds, 1/4 cup of warm water, and 1/4 cup of vinegar; shake the mixture, let it sit for at least an hour, and then rub it into furniture blemishes with a rag (you may need to apply a few layers for darker shades of wood).

2. Make an air freshener for just about anywhere.

Funnel some dried coffee grounds into an old pair of pantyhose and tie it off at the top for a simple air freshener that will neutralize funky smells in your fridge, car, gym bag, or any other place that has you wrinkling your nose.

3. Eliminate lingering odors on your hands.

The natural deodorizing property of coffee can help when you want to get a stubborn stench off your hands, too. Mix a pinch of coffee grounds into your soap and scrub until your fingers no longer smell like onions, garlic, or whatever else you’ve been chopping.

4. Exfoliate your face.

Finely ground coffee is gentle enough to use as a facial exfoliant, and it’s also packed with antioxidants that are great for your skin. This recipe from Nyakio Grieco, founder of the skincare line Nyakio Beauty, is a mixture of coffee grounds, brown sugar, avocado oil, and coconut oil, with additional options to modify it based on your skin type.

5. Fertilize your garden.

According to Healthline, coffee grounds release nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, and other minerals that stimulate plant growth—and they also repel insects that might damage those plants. You can sprinkle coffee grounds directly on the soil, or you can add them to your compost and work it into your garden once everything’s decomposed.

6. Clean your fireplace.

Cleaning out your fireplace can fill the air with ash, making it a pretty miserable task even for people without respiratory issues. Sprinkling a thin layer of coffee grounds on top first will prevent the ash from rising when you sweep it up.

7. Enrich your baked goods.

Coffee-flavored cakes, muffins, and other desserts are delicious to anyone who loves a good cup of Joe, but coffee can also take certain baked goods to the next level without making them taste like moist, fluffy espresso beans. According to Lifehacker, this works best for chocolate desserts like brownies and cakes, especially if you’re using a box mix. Just substitute brewed coffee for whatever amount of water the recipe calls for; the coffee will add richness and complexity to the chocolate flavor, and your guests will think you made the dessert from scratch.

8. Fill a homemade pincushion.

Filling your homemade pincushion with dried coffee grounds will keep all your pins in one place and make your sewing box smell delightful. Here are step-by-step instructions to create your own from the Queen Bean Coffee Company blog.

9. Enhance your fish bait.

There’s not much scientific evidence that coffee does indeed attract more fish, but plenty of seasoned fishers vouch for its efficacy—there are even coffee-scented bait products on the market. Gone Outdoors recommends letting worms wriggle around in coffee grounds for a while before putting them on the hook.

10. Dye some fabric.

You’re one large pot of coffee away from nailing the natural prairie look. Dyeing your clothes fifty shades of tan really just entails soaking them in brewed coffee for varying lengths of time, but these additional tips from The Spruce Crafts can help you get your desired results. (Even if you’re not interested in revolutionizing your wardrobe, using coffee as dye can come in handy if you need to dirty an item for a Halloween costume or upcycle an already-stained kitchen towel.)