Coffee is a staple in our house, just like many households throughout the world. It’s something that helps wake us up and gives many of us something to look forward to each morning as we head to work to start our day.
Whether you grind your own beans or buy pre-ground coffee, you’re left with a lot of waste after you brew each pot. There has to be a better alternative to simply throwing the spent grounds into the trash bin, right?
One thought that might have crossed your mind is to simply flush your coffee grounds down the toilet. After all, plenty of other much-larger items make it through your pipes with no problem.
Also, a common belief is that coffee grounds can even provide some benefit to your plumbing by reducing the odor, and most bathrooms cold use some help in this regard.
So, is it safe, or even beneficial, to flush coffee grounds down the toilet? Let’s find out.
Can Coffee Grounds Be Flushed Down the Toilet?
After brewing a pot of coffee, you’re left with coffee grounds that are fairly broken down and look like they wouldn’t cause any plumbing issues. However, while it may seem counterintuitive, coffee grounds are not safe to flush down the toilet.
Coffee grounds tend to clump and settle, so over time, they can lead to buildup in your drain pipes. Not only will the coffee grounds restrict water flow, but over time, they will grab other foods and oils as they go by, further restricting the flow of water.
After a while, you’re likely to experience a clog, and most of us know how a clogged toilet ends. If you happen to be one of the lucky ones that hasn’t experienced this unfortunate event, it typically results in a watery mess and a costly visit from a plumber.
How to Dispose of Coffee Grounds
We now know that it’s not safe to flush coffee grounds down the toilet, but we still need to do something with the spent grounds, right? Luckily, there are other safe methods to dispose of coffee grounds that you can consider. Let’s take a look.
1 – Compost Them
Coffee grounds are considered to be a great green matter (rich in nitrogen) to add to your compost. Simply spread them around and mix them in with your carbon-rich items, like leaves and eggshells.
As I mentioned in another article, you can even compost the coffee filter while you’re at it.
2 – Feed Your Plants
Another way to use your spent coffee grounds is to use them as a fertilizer for your plants. Coffee grounds provide a food source for the microbes in your soil, leading to better plant growth.
There is some concern about a small amount of caffeine leaching into the soil, so that’s something to keep in mind when using your coffee grounds this way.
3 – Repel Insects
An interesting use for coffee grounds is to repel insects. To repel insects with coffee grounds, spread them around your yard or garden, or place them in open containers on your patio or deck.
4 – Throw Them Away
If all else fails, you can always simply toss your spent grounds in the garbage can. This is likely the most common method chosen by people, and while it might not be the most environmentally-friendly method, is is a valid option.
These are just a few of the many ways to reuse your spent coffee grounds. A quick online search will give you plenty of other methods to consider.
Final Thoughts
It turns out that it’s not such a good idea to flush your coffee grounds down the toilet. By doing so, you run the risk of causing a clog, and not much is worse to repair than a clogged toilet.
Thankfully, there are other beneficial ways that you can use your coffee grounds. Stick to one of these instead, and only flush items that are known to safely make it through your pipes.
I have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems and over 10 years of experience working in IT. As a homeowner, I love working on projects around the house, and as a father, I love investigating various ways to keep my family safe (whether or not this involves tech). I’ve also played guitar for almost 20 years and love writing music, although it’s hard to find the time these days.