6 Things You Can Clean with Coffee Grounds

You've probably heard about using coffee grounds in the garden to repel insects and to fortify plants, or remember using them to "antique" paper in school, but do you know that coffee grounds can also be used for cleaning? As surprising as that might sound, coffee grounds—which we usually think of as messy refuse—can enjoy a second life as a cleaning and repair agent.

While coffee grounds might not have as many uses as other kitchen staples like lemon or baking soda, when it comes to cleaning there are a few nifty tricks that give grounds a second life. Read on for six ways to use coffee grounds to clean common household items and solve life's little cleaning dilemmas.

1. Gently Scour and Degrease Pans

Coffee grounds work in two ways to help scour away buildup, including stubborn oil and grease, from pots and pans. Coffee's course texture gives it a slightly abrasive quality that can scour burnt-on food from the surface of cookware. Coffee grounds fall into the "mild abrasive" category and so, much like baking soda, it is safe to use even on delicate non-stick cooking surfaces like Teflon or cast iron. Coffee also has natural degreasing properties, so it will cut through oily buildup as it lifts stuck-on food.

To use coffee grounds for washing pots and pans, fill the pan one-third to halfway with warm, soapy water and add 1 Tbsp. of grounds. Then, using a non-abrasive sponge, gently scour the pan with the soapy grounds. Rinse well and dry as usual.

2. Soak Oven and Grill Grates

The degreasing and scouring properties of coffee grounds also make easy work of cleaning oven and grill grates, eliminating greasy buildup and stuck-on food. Combine 1 to 2 Tbsp. of coffee grounds with warm water, either in the sink or in a large plastic bag, and use it as a soaking agent as a hands-off method for cleaning oven racks and grill grates. After soaking the racks or grates for 45 minutes, wipe away buildup with a sponge or rinse with running water.

3. Absorb Foul Fridge Odors

Even the most orderly, well-maintained refrigerators can take on a foul smell from time to time, whether old food goes unnoticed or spills happen. After cleaning out the cause of the smell, set a small bowl or cup of dry coffee grounds in the refrigerator to absorb lingering odors. The nitrogen in the grounds reacts with carbon, neutralizing and eliminating the foul smells.

4. Eliminate Smells from Hands

Just as with foul smells in the fridge, coffee grounds can help neutralize strong smells from foods like garlic and onions on hands. Simply rub a small spoonful of grounds between your palms to eliminate odors. As a bonus, the coffee grounds will gently exfoliate your hands, removing dead skin and leaving them looking and feeling softer.

5. Remove Scuffs from Wooden Furniture and Floors

When wooden furniture or flooring gets scratched or nicked, coffee grounds can be used to restore the finish. Make a thick paste by mixing the grounds with a small amount of water or cooking oil, and apply it to the scuffs. Gently rub it into the damaged areas, and allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Then, wipe away the excess grounds and buff the wood dry. Repeat the process if necessary to fully obscure the damage.

6. Tamp Down Ashes for Easier Fireplace Cleanup

Cleaning the fireplace is a messy, frustrating job; even the slowest, most methodical shoveling can leave ash and dust flying everywhere. To help keep ash and other fine particulates from forming clouds when shoveling, sprinkle coffee grounds on top of the ash prior to cleaning. The grounds will weigh down the ash, making it easier to scoop it up and dispose of it.