Have you ever had the urge to wash down the leftover coffee grounds in the sink? But wondered if it was a good idea to do it. Suppose you have been hearing mixed things and are not sure. Some say coffee grounds clear sink and freshen its scent while others say it causes blockages. Here is the answer.
Coffee grounds should not be drained from the sink. Nothing causes more blockages and clogged drains than coffee grounds and grease. Despite what you might have heard about coffee grounds actually being good for drains, it is actually not.
For more information, read on.
Why Should Coffee Grounds Not Be Drained In Sinks
Coffee is a staple beverage in all kitchens. Whether it is a morning kickstart or something to get remedy your tiredness in a busy afternoon, a cup of coffee is what you will go to. The coffee would undoubtedly be awesome, but cleaning up the dishes may not be so much, which is why you are tempted to wash down the coffee grounds.
Coffee grounds are not completely water-soluble. Rather than dissolving in water, coffee grounds cluster together in it. The grounds can accumulate inside your sink drains over time, causing clogs that prevent the drains from doing their job.
When these grounds mix with other things, like grease and oil already in the pipes, the clog can get very bad.
What To Do If There If Your Sink Gets Clogged
If you have been putting the wrong stuff in the drain, it will cause a clog. Then, in that case, if you need garburator repair, help with drain clogs, or other kitchen plumbing repairs, it’s important to get service from experienced plumbing professionals.
Some signs you need help with a clogged drain or malfunctioning if water keeps backing up in your sink are if the sink makes a gurgling noise, bad odor, and if there’s slow draining water in the sink.
How To Properly Dispose Of Coffee Grounds
Ideally, to dispose of coffee grounds, you should use a strain to collect the residue while you wash your coffee pot and cup. When all the leftover parts are collected in the strainer, you can dispose of them in the bin. You can use coffee filters to get it out mess-free if you are not very comfortable using a strainer.
Another thing you can do is use the coffee grounds as garden compost. Coffee grounds make excellent garden compost. They can amend the soil if it’s dug into the ground. It’s a good idea to keep this ground damp so the coffee grounds can encourage the microbes to grow which feed on the nitrogen adding it as a nutrient to the soil.
A layer of coffee grounds on top of the soil, combined with leaf compost, is a fantastic water-wise gardening strategy. This top layer will keep the soil from drying up too rapidly.
Some Other Ways To Use Coffee Grounds
If you do not have a garden and are not so fond of plants that you will keep houseplants, you can still find several uses for the leftover coffee grounds in your coffee maker. Here are a few.
Make A Body Scrub
What you can do with spent coffee grinds will astound you.
Body scrubs can help remove dry skin, improve blood circulation, and smooth out cellulite lumps. Skincare enthusiasts would often recommend body scrubs to get fresh and soft skin. But did you know that the coffee grounds you through away can be used to make a body scrub?
Coffee has anti-inflammatory properties that help fight infections and improve the skin’s microbiome. It also has anti-aging properties and sunspots and fine lines. Coffee may also aid in the treatment of stubborn dark circles beneath the eyes, as it dilates blood vessels.
Use It As A Natural Dye
The natural dye can be made from coffee grounds and can be used in many ways. To make it, place the coffee grounds in a dish of water and soak them. The water will darken and can be used to color white clothes as well as paper.
You can get creative with craft paper. To achieve an antique look to the paper, color the coffee grinds. By soaking your hair in this color, you may hide your grey hairs without worrying about hazardous chemicals seeping onto your scalp or drying out your hair. It may also aid in the growth of your hair.
Use It To Tenderize Tough Meat
Coffee grounds include acids and enzymes that aid in the tenderization of harder pieces of meat. They’ll also enhance the flavors of the meat. Fill your favorite pork rub recipe with leftover coffee grounds.
Rub it onto the meat a few hours before cooking. The grounds will cook into the meat, forming a dark, rich crust. Another alternative is to marinate your meat in old coffee grounds. Allow the meat to marinate for up to 24 hours before cooking. Your meat will be soft and flavorful.
Use It To Grow Mushrooms
If you like to include mushrooms in your meals, here’s a technique to ensure you don’t run out. Mushrooms thrive on moist, permeable, sterile soil. This is referred to as a substrate. The same substrate can be made using leftover coffee grounds and sawdust. A bucket, mushroom spawn, and cellophane are required.
Combine the used coffee grounds, sawdust, and mushroom spawn in a mixing bowl. Toss this mixture into the bucket and poke a few holes above the substrate level. Cover the bucket’s top with cellophane. To keep the substrate moist, sprinkle a small mist of water every few days. The first signs of mushroom growth will appear in two to three weeks.
Conclusion
Coffee is not supposed to be disposed of down the sink as it can cause drain clogs and blockages over time. You can dispose of it in the right way by straining it, using it as garden compost, or getting creative with it and finding a way to utilize it.
