Every morning, it’s easy to dump used coffee grounds into the trash without giving them a second thought. After all, they’ve already done their job. But those leftover grounds still have plenty of life left in them.

Once I started saving mine, I realized they could handle all sorts of small jobs around the house and yard. They’re free, easy to collect, and can replace products you might otherwise buy.

Instead of tossing them out, here are a few practical ways to put spent coffee grounds to work.

Add Traction to Icy Walkways

During icy weather, coffee grounds can help make slippery sidewalks or driveways a little safer. Sprinkling them over slick areas gives shoes and tires extra grip, and their dark color helps absorb sunlight, which may speed up melting on sunny days. They’re not a replacement for ice melt, but they can be helpful if you run out.

Help Keep Garden Pests Away

Slugs, snails, and a few other garden pests aren’t fond of coffee grounds. Spreading a thin layer around plants may discourage them from crawling into your garden beds. It’s an easy option for gardeners who prefer to limit the use of stronger pest-control products.

Mix Them Into Compost

Coffee grounds make a useful addition to a compost pile because they add nitrogen. Mixing them with dry materials like leaves, paper, or cardboard helps create a healthier balance, giving compost the ingredients it needs to break down more efficiently.

Feed Certain Plants

Many gardeners work small amounts of used coffee grounds into the soil around acid-loving plants. They add organic matter and small amounts of nutrients that support healthy growth. A light application is usually plenty, since too much can have the opposite effect.

Absorb Unpleasant Odors

Dried coffee grounds naturally absorb odors. Place a small bowl in the refrigerator, pantry, shoe closet, or near the trash can to help reduce lingering smells. Replace the grounds every so often to keep them working well.

Discourage Ants

Coffee grounds can also help make certain areas less inviting to ants. Sprinkling them near entry points, along walkways, or around outdoor problem spots may help reduce the number of ants wandering through.

Scrub Pots and Pans

Because coffee grounds have a slightly gritty texture, they work well for cleaning cookware with baked-on food. Sprinkle a small amount onto a sponge or cloth and gently scrub stubborn spots before rinsing everything clean.

Remove Food Odors From Your Hands

Garlic, onions, seafood, and other foods can leave stubborn smells behind after cooking. Rubbing damp coffee grounds between your hands for a few seconds helps remove many of those lingering odors before washing with soap.

Freshen Outdoor Areas

Compost bins, garbage cans, and other outdoor spots can develop strong odors during warm weather. Scattering used coffee grounds around these areas helps absorb some of those smells and keeps them from becoming quite as noticeable.

Help Repel Mosquitoes

Dried coffee grounds can also be used outdoors by placing them in a heat-safe container and carefully lighting them so they slowly smolder. The smoke may help discourage mosquitoes while you’re spending time outside. Always use this method in a safe, open area away from anything flammable and never leave it unattended.