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Coffee drinkers confront the question of what to do with used coffee grounds practically every morning. Usually, they have the messy task of cleaning coffee filters. Either they go down the sink drain or end up in the trash can. Most people are familiar with using it as compost; however, in this era of renew and reuse, there are a number of other ways to use coffee grounds.

Coffee grounds can be used on almost every part of the body. For example, coffee grounds can be used to exfoliate skin and reduce cellulite. Once you wash your face, take the moist coffee grounds and massage them over the face, almost like a mask, and rinse the grounds off with warm water.

As a cellulite reducer, according to a recipe on the Daily Green, the used coffee grounds are mixed with cup of warm water and one tablespoon of olive oil. Rub mixture on the body, placing something on the floor to catch loose grounds. Wrap the area with shrink wrap and let sit for a few minutes. Remove the wrap and brush loose grounds off the skin. Then, shower with warm water.

Used coffee grounds can be part of a hair care regimen, adding softness and shine to hair. They can be added to wet hair and rinsed out. Other parts of your hair care routine can be done as usual. If you have brown hair, the coffee ground will add highlights when hair dries.

Used coffee grounds can be used in the kitchen as well. Instead of buying a box of baking soda for the freezer, use a container of coffee grounds to absorb unpleasant odors. Another kitchen use is to remove the smell of pungent odors from hands.

Coffee grounds can be used in other areas of the home as an odor remover, including the closets. Instead of using a harsh abrasive, use coffee grounds as a cleaner. Be cautious, though, because it may leave stains. Wet coffee grounds remove scratches.

As a part of the gardening regimen, coffee grounds can be used in acidic soils, a deterrent for cats using your garden as a litter box, a mixture with potting soil, and a place to grow mushrooms. Once plants begin to grow, coffee grounds can help repel snails, slugs and ants. It also adds nutrients to the soil.

Even pets benefit from used coffee grounds. After they have their bath, coffee ground rubbed into their fur repels fleas.

As we can see, once the coffee is brewed and consumed, that does not have to be the end of the coffee ground's life. They can be recycled and used in almost every other aspect of home life. So, think about ways to extend the life that one cup of coffee.

Learn more about this author, Cicely Richard.
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