How to Use Dried Coffee Grounds to Naturally Remove Odors

How to Use Dried Coffee Grounds to Naturally Remove Odors Around Your Home. Discover effective ways to use coffee grounds around your home to keep spaces fresh.

If you love the smell of coffee, you’ll love this simple and effective way to put your used coffee grounds to work! Instead of tossing them out, dry them and use them as a natural odor neutralizer around your home. Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen and have a porous structure that absorbs and traps odors, making them a wonderful, eco-friendly alternative to synthetic air fresheners.

A jar of rich, aromatic coffee grounds adds warmth and coziness to the kitchen counter, blending functionality with inviting decor.

At Lia Rose Simply Home, I’m all about using what we already have on hand to keep things fresh, simple, and chemical-free. Here’s how dried coffee grounds can help with odors, plus a few easy ways to use them throughout your home.

Have you ever noticed your grandma sprinkling used coffee grounds around the house—maybe in the garbage can or tucked in the fridge? It might seem like an old-fashioned trick, but does it work to eliminate odors? Let’s take a look at whether this classic remedy stands the test of time.

With nothing to lose, I figured, why not give this old remedy a try and see if it holds up? I started with the kitchen garbage can, which always seems to have some kind of odor, especially during the hot and humid summer months. I had a few inexpensive sachet bags left over from a previous project, so I filled some with dry coffee grounds and tucked a couple in the bottom of the trash can. Want to use sachet bags for your dry coffee grounds to absorb odors? Click the highlighted text to grab an inexpensive bundle of sachet bags. They’re also perfect for simmering spices to naturally scent your home—check out our favorite simmer pot recipes here!

A delightful simmer pot crafted with fresh lemon slices, lavender sprigs, and aromatic herbs, perfect for creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

The coffee grounds worked surprisingly well in the fridge, just as effectively as baking soda! I was also really impressed with how they helped in the kitchen trash can. Right now, I have coffee ground sachets hanging in our coat closet, which tends to get that stale, shut-in smell during the summer. Dried coffee grounds are a win in my book!

Repurpose your used coffee grounds by storing them in a jar for eco-friendly gardening, deodorizing

☕ Why Dried Coffee Grounds Work for Odors

Used coffee grounds absorb smells much like baking soda does. They’re especially good at neutralizing strong or musty odors because of their high nitrogen content, which helps eliminate sulfur gases (the stinkiest kind!). Once dried properly, the grounds won’t mold, and they’ll last for weeks in small spaces.

🌿 How to Dry Used Coffee Grounds

1. After brewing your coffee, spread the used grounds out on a baking sheet or paper towel.

2. Let them air dry for 1–2 days, stirring occasionally. You can also place them in a warm oven (200°F) for 20–30 minutes to speed things up.

3. Store the dried grounds in a breathable container like a mason jar with holes in the lid or a small dish.

🏡 8 Ways to Use Dried Coffee Grounds to Remove Odors

To preserve freshness, keep in an airtight container.

Fridge Freshener

Place a small open jar or dish of dried coffee grounds in your fridge or freezer to absorb food smells. Change it out every couple of weeks.

Shoe Deodorizer

Fill a clean sock, sachet bag, or small fabric pouch with dried grounds, tie it shut, and place it inside smelly shoes overnight.

Trash Can Deodorizer

Sprinkle some coffee grounds at the bottom of your trash can or compost bin. You can also place a small sachet bag of grounds inside the lid.

Pet Area Freshener

Set a small container with holes poked in the lid near your cat’s litter box or pet bed to help manage odors naturally (just make sure it’s out of reach—coffee isn’t safe for pets to ingest).

Closet & Drawer Sachets

Tuck a breathable sachet of dried coffee grounds in your closet or drawers. They’ll keep things smelling earthy and fresh—perfect for fall!

Car Freshener

Place a small mesh bag or jar of dried grounds under your seat to soak up odors without that fake “pine tree” scent.

Neutralize odors on wooden cutting boards using coffee grounds.

Hands & Cutting Board Odor Remover

Rub damp (not wet) grounds between your hands or on your cutting board after chopping garlic or onions. They help scrub away lingering smells naturally.

Cigarette Smoke

• Place dried coffee grounds in open containers or sachet bags and set them in smoky rooms, ashtrays, or near upholstery.

• While they won’t eliminate heavy smoke odor on their own, they’re a great natural and inexpensive addition to a larger deodorizing routine.

♻️ A Small Step That Adds Up

This is one of my favorite zero-waste tips—it’s easy, free, and works. Plus, it’s another way to stretch what you already have and avoid more single-use plastic air fresheners. If you’re a coffee lover, your morning cup just became even more useful. Have you tried using coffee grounds for odor control? I’d love to hear how you use them around your home!

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