Using coffee grounds to clean furniture – the surprising tip that really works

Did you know that used coffee grounds can be put to work in your living room? It's true; the power of your morning coffee can live on long after the effects of the caffeine have subsided.

While gardeners may have already praised coffee for its ability to fertilize plants, some home improvement experts have revealed that coffee grounds are equally effective indoors. 

But how do you use coffee grounds to clean furniture? Whether you have some organic goodness left over from your coffee maker, or you're cleaning out your coffee press, cleaning experts have a secret that will leave your wooden furniture looking as good as new.

Using coffee grounds to clean wooden furniture

According to Daniel P. Craig, furniture expert and Founder of Kitchen Deets, coffee grounds are perfect for cleaning furniture that has received harsh scratches that are notoriously hard to repair.

'A little trick I've used is to cover scratches by applying some used coffee grounds with a cotton swab. Let the grounds sit on the scratches for 10 minutes and then wipe away gently,' Daniel explains. 'It really works!'

While this cleaning tip may seem unconventional, the expert explains that, in most cases, it is hard to tell where the scratches were after you have repaired them. And Daniel is not exclusive in his admiration for this surprising technique. 

'Coffee grounds are a great tool to cover up any scratches you find on your furniture,' adds Andre Kazimierski, CEO of Improovy Painters. He recommends mixing your coffee grounds with 1/4 cup of warm water and a 1/4 cup of vinegar before shaking the mixture. Allow this solution to steep for at least one hour before applying it to your scratches with a rag. 

'Both methods darken the scratch and make it less noticeable,' Andre explains. However, he adds that you should always test the color in a concealed spot first.

FAQs

Can I use any type of coffee grounds for cleaning my furniture?

Yes, both regular and decaffeinated coffee grounds can be used. Just make sure they are used grounds, as fresh coffee grounds can be too abrasive on delicate pieces of furniture.

How often should I apply coffee grounds to my furniture?

This will depend on how deep the scratch is. For minor scratches, one application may be sufficient. For deeper scratches, you may need to repeat the process a couple of times for the best results.

Can coffee grounds stain my furniture?

Yes, coffee grounds can cause stains in upholstery and wooden furniture. While coffee grounds can help to blend scratches into darker wood, it's important to test the mixture in an inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn’t cause any unwanted staining.

Can I use coffee grounds to clean other types of furniture?

Coffee grounds are best suited for wooden furniture. Using them on upholstered or non-wooden surfaces is not recommended as they might cause staining or be difficult to clean off.

Pause before you throw away these powerful grounds. You can also use coffee grounds to clean a kitchen and neutralize bad fridge smells.