The Surprising Household Uses of Beverage Residue Waste

Many families are throwing away this waste every day without realizing how wasteful it is.

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Cleaning, sanitation, and scrubbing household items are considered essential tasks that need to be done daily in every home. Typically, these tasks are done with the help of tools and specialized cleaning solutions.

However, in reality, there are household ingredients that are safe and friendly, and have a pleasant aroma that can be used by people instead of harsh chemicals. Some notable examples include vinegar, baking soda, fresh lemon, or even coffee grounds. Coffee grounds, in particular, are often overlooked for their cleaning and deodorizing properties.


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What are coffee grounds?

Coffee grounds are the remaining residue of coffee beans after they have been used to make coffee. The color of the coffee grounds depends on the type of coffee used. It can be black, dark brown, light brown, or even slightly yellowish-brown.

Usually, those who are not aware of the applications of coffee grounds would discard them immediately after brewing coffee. However, keeping coffee grounds can be very useful. The most common application is in cleaning and deodorizing.


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Applications of coffee grounds in household cleaning

Deodorizing

First and perhaps the easiest application is using coffee grounds to deodorize the house, specific areas, or even objects. All you need to do is sprinkle coffee grounds directly on the areas that need to be deodorized, or place them in bowls, cups, or mugs. Let them sit for a few hours, and the unpleasant odor will be replaced by a subtle coffee aroma.

According to Healthline, this effect is due to the presence of nitrogen in coffee grounds, which helps eliminate sulfur compounds that cause odors when combined with carbon. In simpler terms, coffee grounds can absorb and remove bad smells.

For more specific areas or objects such as cars, wardrobes, shoes, you can also dry coffee grounds and place them in small bags. This method can help coffee grounds last longer, releasing a mild aroma without affecting the surrounding space.


Coffee grounds can be applied directly or placed in small bags to deodorize specific areas (Illustrative image)

Many users have applied coffee grounds for deodorizing and found it to be very effective. For example, a user named Babykopo Home, living in Ho Chi Minh City, shared their experience. When they discovered that their fridge freezer had been accidentally unplugged, causing the spoiled food to emit an unpleasant odor that quickly spread throughout the house, they used coffee grounds to tackle the problem.

According to Babykopo Home, they cleaned the refrigerator and placed a large amount of coffee grounds inside. They also boiled coffee grounds in different areas of the house to release the aroma and eliminate the odor faster.

The user used coffee grounds to deodorize the fridge and the entire house (Babykopo Home’s image)

Cleaning and sanitizing certain items

In addition to deodorizing, coffee grounds are also recommended as a cleaning and sanitizing agent for certain items. The antimicrobial properties of coffee grounds are highly valued for their ability to kill bacteria and clean objects. Users can apply coffee grounds to clean kitchen utensils, such as pots, pans, microwave surfaces, ovens, stoves, or even knives and cutting boards.

For example, when it comes to pots and pans that have accumulated stubborn stains or burnt marks, users can combine coffee grounds with dishwashing liquid to tackle the problem. The coffee grounds soften the stains, making it easier for users to scrub without applying excessive force, thereby minimizing damage to the non-stick coating of the cookware.


Coffee grounds can be used to scrub pots, pans, and other kitchen utensils (Illustrative image)

Similarly, when cleaning other objects, users should adjust the amount of coffee grounds used according to the level of dirt. After cleaning with coffee grounds, the objects should be rinsed with clean water as a final step.

Repairing scratched wooden furniture

One surprising application of coffee grounds is their ability to repair scratches on wooden furniture. Repairing here means addressing scratches that affect the aesthetics of the furniture or the overall space. Coffee grounds can help solve this problem.

To do this, users can use damp coffee grounds and apply them to the scratches on the wooden furniture. Then, rub gently to distribute the coffee grounds evenly on the surface of the scratches. Finally, let it dry naturally and wipe it clean with a soft cloth. The scratches will fade to some extent.


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In addition to the three cleaning and sanitizing applications mentioned above, users can also use coffee grounds to:

– Use as fertilizer for plants and repel insects, as coffee grounds contain minerals such as nitrogen, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc.

– Eliminate fleas on pets by rubbing damp coffee grounds on their wet fur and then giving them a bath.

– Tenderize meat, as coffee grounds contain natural enzymes and acids that can soften muscle fibers and proteins.

– Apply in skincare and haircare routines.

According to Đời sống Pháp luật

Frequently asked questions

Coffee grounds are the residue of coffee beans after brewing coffee. They are usually discarded, but their color varies depending on the coffee type. Instead of throwing them away, coffee grounds can be kept for various useful applications, especially in household cleaning and deodorizing.

Coffee grounds can effectively deodorize specific areas or objects and entire houses. Simply sprinkle them directly on the area or place them in containers like bowls or cups. Let them sit for a few hours, and they will absorb and replace unpleasant odors with a subtle coffee aroma. This effect is due to the nitrogen in coffee grounds, which eliminates odor-causing sulfur compounds.

Yes, a user named Babykopo Home from Ho Chi Minh City shared their experience using coffee grounds to eliminate unpleasant odors from their fridge freezer, which had accidentally been unplugged, causing spoiled food to emit a strong smell. They cleaned the refrigerator and placed a large amount of coffee grounds inside, and also boiled coffee grounds in different areas of the house to quickly eliminate the odor.

Coffee grounds are recommended for cleaning and sanitizing various items due to their antimicrobial properties. They can kill bacteria and clean objects like kitchen utensils (pots, pans, microwaves, ovens, stoves, knives, and cutting boards). When combined with dishwashing liquid, coffee grounds can also help remove stubborn stains and burnt marks from cookware without damaging the non-stick coating.

Coffee grounds can also be used to repair scratches on wooden furniture. Simply apply damp coffee grounds to the scratches, rub gently, and let them dry naturally. Finally, wipe the area clean with a soft cloth, and the scratches will be less noticeable. Additionally, coffee grounds can be used as fertilizer, to repel insects, to eliminate fleas on pets, to tenderize meat, and even in skincare and hair care routines.
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