Beyond the Brew: Ingenious Repurposing of Coffee Grounds and Tea Leaves

Question: What are some effective ways to reuse or repurpose used coffee grounds or tea leaves in my household beyond composting?

Natural Cleaning Powerhouses

Beyond their delightful aroma, spent coffee grounds possess a surprising abrasive quality that makes them effective natural cleaning agents. Their granular texture can help scrub away stubborn grime without the harshness of synthetic chemicals. When mixed with a bit of water or dish soap, coffee grounds can tackle baked-on food in pots and pans, or even help remove residues from coffee makers themselves [1]. The volatile compounds present in coffee grounds can also contribute to odor absorption, making them useful in the refrigerator or as a natural air freshener. Similarly, used tea leaves, particularly black tea, contain compounds like thearubigins which can possess mild cleaning properties [1]. A paste made from dried tea leaves and water can be used to clean and polish surfaces, and their absorbency makes them effective at soaking up spills [1].

Boosting Your Garden’s Health

While composting is a well-known use for coffee grounds and tea leaves, their benefits extend to direct garden applications. Spent coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen and other essential nutrients that can benefit plant growth [2]. They can be mixed directly into the soil as a soil amendment. Studies have explored their use in biocomposites for plant growth, indicating a positive influence [2]. The grounds can also help deter certain garden pests due to their texture and residual caffeine content. Tea leaves, when scattered around plants, can act as a natural mulch, retaining moisture and slowly releasing nutrients into the soil. Some research also indicates that specific microbial communities in the soil can be enhanced by biochar-based organic substrates, which can be derived from materials like coffee silverskin [8].

Skincare and Beauty Secrets

The fine texture and inherent compounds within coffee grounds and tea leaves offer a wealth of potential for homemade skincare and beauty treatments. The exfoliating properties of coffee grounds are well-documented, making them an excellent ingredient for body scrubs. When combined with natural oils like coconut or olive oil, they can create an invigorating scrub that removes dead skin cells and promotes circulation. Furthermore, research has identified compounds like chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid in coffee grounds, which possess antioxidant properties [6, 7]. These can be beneficial in skincare applications. Similarly, used tea leaves, especially green tea, are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Steep used tea bags can be cooled and placed under the eyes to help reduce puffiness, or the cooled liquid can be used as a facial toner [1]. The volatile compounds that contribute to coffee’s aroma can also be harnessed, though care must be taken as some compounds can be altered during processing [3, 5].

Odor Neutralization and Beyond

One of the most straightforward yet effective ways to reuse coffee grounds is for odor neutralization. Their porous structure allows them to absorb strong smells. A small open container of dried coffee grounds placed in a musty closet, a smelly shoe, or even a garbage can can work wonders. This principle also applies to tea leaves; dry, used leaves can similarly absorb unwanted odors. Researchers have even investigated the use of coffee grounds in creating biodegradable materials, highlighting their potential for functional applications beyond immediate consumption [2]. The extraction of valuable compounds like cellulose microfibrils from coffee grounds is also an area of active research, suggesting future industrial applications for this ‘waste’ stream [6].

In conclusion, the journey of coffee beans and tea leaves doesn’t have to end after their initial infusion. From revitalizing your garden and creating natural cleaning solutions to indulging in homemade beauty treatments and combating household odors, these humble byproducts offer a sustainable and resourceful avenue for household reuse. Embracing these practices not only reduces waste but also unlocks a treasure trove of practical benefits for the eco-conscious home.

References

[1] — Ernesto Illy, Luciano Navarini — Neglected Food Bubbles: The Espresso Coffee Foam. — 2011-Sep — https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21892345/ [2] — Magdalena Zdanowicz, Marta Rokosa, Magdalena Pieczykolan, Adrian Krzysztof Antosik, Katarzyna Skórczewska — Biocomposites Based on Wheat Flour with Urea-Based Eutectic Plasticizer and Spent Coffee Grounds: Preparation, Physicochemical Characterization, and Study of Their Influence on Plant Growth. — 2024-Mar-06 — https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38473683/ [3] — Gustavo Galarza, Jorge G Figueroa — Volatile Compound Characterization of Coffee ( — 2022-Mar-21 — https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35335365/ [4] — Katarína Poláková, Alica Bobková, Alžbeta Demianová, Marek Bobko, Judita Lidiková, Lukáš Jurčaga, Ľubomír Belej, Andrea Mesárošová, Melina Korčok, Tomáš Tóth — Quality Attributes and Sensory Acceptance of Different Botanical Coffee Co-Products. — 2023-Jul-11 — https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37509767/ [5] — Rongsuo Hu, Fei Xu, Liyan Zhao, Wenjiang Dong, Xingyuan Xiao, Xiao Chen — Comparative Evaluation of Flavor and Sensory Quality of Coffee Pulp Wines. — 2024-Jun-27 — https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38999011/ [6] — Hitoshi Soyama, Kousuke Hiromori, Naomi Shibasaki-Kitakawa — Simultaneous extraction of caffeic acid and production of cellulose microfibrils from coffee grounds using hydrodynamic cavitation in a Venturi tube. — 2025-Jul — https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40288159/ [7] — Krystyna Pyrzynska — Spent Coffee Grounds as a Source of Chlorogenic Acid. — 2025-Jan-30 — https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39942717/ [8] — Miguel de Celis, Laura L de Sosa, Giuseppe Picca, Noelia González-Polo, Cristina Gómez Ruano, Luciano Beneduce, Claudio Zaccone, Marco Panettieri — Biochar-based organic substrates enhance tomato growth by promoting specific microbial communities in rooftop farming. — 2025-Jul-01 — https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40597454/