Every evening when I prep my coffee pot for the next day I think, “There’s gotta be other uses for coffee grounds,” as I dump them into the compost bin. I asked around and scoured the internet to come up with this list of common – and not so common – coffee ground uses.

21 uses for coffee grounds

1. Freshen skin: I have been using this Mocha-Frappuccino Mask recipe for a few weeks and it’s amazing! The grounds exfoliate, help prevent and diminish fine lines and wrinkles and balance the pH. My skin feels soft, fresh and bright.

2. In the garden: As I mentioned earlier, adding coffee grounds to your compost or flower beds can boost their growth by acting as a fertilizer for high-acidic plants like roses, tomatoes and evergreens. Be careful about putting coffee grounds in your garden if you have small dogs – this can be very dangerous to them.

3. Reduce the appearance of cellulite: Warm 1/4 cup ground coffee for 30 seconds in the microwave. Add 2 tbsp of olive oil as a binder. Cleanse problem areas in a warm shower, then apply the scrub by massaging in a circular motion for two to four minutes with your hands or a washcloth. Rinse with warm water and pat dry. As a stimulant, the caffeine dilates blood vessels, temporarily toning and tightening tissue. Plus, it increases circulation and reduces water retention, helping to smooth the look of cellulite.

4. Mixed media: Add grounds to brown or dark paint to ad texture to your walls. It’s a great way to give “fur” a real look on children’s artwork.

5. Keep away critters: Spread used coffee grounds any place where ants might be entering your house, or toss a handful of grounds in your garden to keep slugs and snails away from plants.

6. Lawn care: Coffee grounds mixed with a can of coke and a cup of baby shampoo in a hose sprayer works great for getting rid of those little bugs in the lawn.

7. Dish duty: Use coffee grounds in a pinch when you don’t have anything to scrub a pot. It works great as an abrasive and won’t scratch the pot. Place a few teaspoons of grounds on a thin cleaning rag and scour away grease and grime. Finish with a thorough rinsing.

8. Clean floors: When sweeping a dusty cement floor or fireplace, spread coffee grounds on the dirt or ashes, then sweep. This will keep the dust from flying around!

9. Stop smells: A homemade coffee ground odor eater is a cinch. Place a bowl of dry grounds in your refrigerator or freezer to neutralize odors left by stale or spoiled food.

10. Hide furniture scratches: Dip a cotton swab into steeped grounds and dab on scratches in dark wood furniture to minimize them. Just test in a hidden area first.

11. Dye naturally: Give paper or fabric an antiqued look or color Easter eggs by using coffee grounds as a natural dye.

12. Grow blue hydrangeas: Work grounds into the soil at the base of mophead hydrangeas to increase the acidity level. This helps the shrubs absorb aluminum, which you can add to the soil to keep the flowers a vibrant blue.

13. Scrub hands: Rub a scoop of grounds between palms to remove dead skin and help eliminate smells from foods like fish and garlic.

14. Make a cockroach trap: Fill a can or jar with an inch or two of moistened coffee grounds, then line the container’s neck with double-sided tape. The scent will draw the roaches into the trap and the tape will keep them from escaping.

15. Soften and shine hair: While in the shower, rub coffee grounds through wet hair and rinse. Coffee can also be used as a natural dye for lighter hair colors.

16. Scat cat: Keep cats from using your garden as a kitty box by spreading used coffee grounds and orange peels throughout flower beds.

17. Keep worms wiggling: Mix coffee grounds into the soil before you add worms. It helps fertilize the soil that the worms are feasting on. It is also believed that the caffeine and smell make the worms wriggle and become more active.

18. Add some flavor: Adding a tbsp of fresh coffee grounds to meat marinades will tenderize the meat and give it a mild smokiness. Coffee also enhances chocolate cakes, brownies and chili. Substitute strong coffee when a recipe calls for water for a richer, bolder flavor.

19. Sharpen garbage disposal blades: Add 1 tbsp of grounds to the disposal, run water and turn on for 10 seconds.

20. Grow a beard: Needs a beard for a Halloween costumes? Warm up a little bit of honey in the microwave or on the stove. Spread the warm (not hot!) honey you’re your face in the pattern of a mustache and beard. Spread dried coffee grounds over the honey. Washes off easily after trick-or-treating is done.

21. Keep away fleas: After you give your pet a bath, rub coffee grounds through their coat. Coffee grounds are said to repel fleas.

How do you reuse coffee grounds?