If you are like me and consume, probably too much, coffee, then you will also have lots of coffee grounds.

Don’t throw them away!

There are too many great uses for coffee grounds and here are some of my favorites.

Get rid of ants – That’s right.  Ants don’t like coffee grounds so sprinkle them on anthills, around your yard or anywhere you don’t want ants to go.  Wish I would have know this in Australia…ants would throw a huge party in our kitchen every summer there.

Compost - Just throw them in your compost, filter and all.  It will add rich nutrients that your garden will love you for.

Put them directly on your acid-loving plants – Plants like azaleas, rosebushes, rhododendrons, camellias and hydrangeas love coffee grounds.  Throw your grounds straight onto the soil, even in winter when the plants are dormant.

Get rid of cellulite – That’s right folks!  Apparently there is coffee in those high-priced anti-cellulite creams, so why not?

According to DIY Maven,  you mix 1/4 cup warm, used coffee grounds and 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then apply the mixture to your “problem areas”.  You then wrap the areas with shrink wrap and leave on for several minutes.  You then brush the loose coffee grounds off and wash with warm water.  For best results it’s recommended you do this twice a week.

Whew, a bit time consuming, but you never know, I might get desperate as swim suit season approaches!

Good for Skin and Hair – I had no idea!  Check out the Rainforest Coffee Skin and Hair Program on how coffee grounds can help with wrinkles, balding, dandruff and age spots, among others.  Who knew!?

Home Care – mix coffee grounds with water and use as a fabric dye or furniture scratch repair.

Deodorizer – Dry out the grounds on low heat in the oven or outside in the sun.  Wrap in a linen sachet or put in a bowl and use where odor needs to be absorbed, similar to baking soda.  I store my compost scraps in my fridge until I take them out to the compost bin and dried coffee grounds keeps them from being stinky.

Pet Flea Care – When you are washing your dog or cat, after they are wet, massage coffee grounds into their skin and fur.  This will rid them of fleas and their coat will be super soft.  They will also smell pretty yummy I would imagine!

Don’t drink coffee?  See if any friends or family will save their grounds for you!  Do you have a favorite or interesting use for your coffee grounds that I didn’t list?

Get more tips and tricks over at We Are THAT Family and Works For Me Wednesday.