Used coffee grounds are something my husband and I have plenty of at our house. We have a super deluxe espresso machine that I adore and each of us have a cup of espresso nearly every day. That's a lot of grounds, my friends. I learned from my dad that you can use them en the garden. He said they help break up the soil and aerate the roots of plants. I have also read that they are high in nitrogen. I've been adding coffee grounds to our compost, but I also know that they are acidic and I don't want to get to crazy. As I said, we've got a lot of grounds around here.

So I began searching the web for some alternative uses. As it turns out, used grounds are a great odor neutralizer, so I have been trying them in two other places and I am very pleased with the result. The first place is in the refrigerator. I allowed the grounds to dry completely and placed them in a shallow bowl. Then, I replaced my old box of Arm & Hammer with my bowl full of used grounds. The refrigerator smells nice and fresh!

I have also been putting some used grounds in the kitty litter box and have noticed a significant reduction in odor. Some websites recommend using grounds as a deterrent for cats using flower beds as litter boxes, and some recommended using them in litter boxes as a deodorizer. So, I began adding them gradually to the litter as not to deter out boy Blu from using his box like a good little beast. Again, I allow the grounds to dry out completely and then just mix them in with the store-bought litter. I have been adding about ½ a cup of grounds to the box per day for four days and Blu has not seemed to mind. My plan is to just begin the process again after I completely empty the box and start over with fresh litter.

I have found other suggested uses on websites, such as Green Living Tips, but have not put any more to the test. What do you do with your used grounds? I would love some other tips and tricks if you are willing to share!