37 Brilliant Uses for Coffee Filters

Even if you don’t have a coffee maker that uses filters, you may want to consider picking up a package next time you go to the store.  Because of the size, shape, and paper used in coffee filters, there are many household uses for them that you probably haven’t thought of.

Uses for Coffee Filters: Health and Beauty

• Cut a bunch of coffee filters into 1/4 to create face blotters for touch-ups and make-up removal.
• These can also be used to remove nail polish.
• Cut into rectangle strips, coffee filters can be used in place of waxing strips.
• Fold a coffee filter, soak it in brewed tea, and freeze it.  This makes a nice cold compress for bruises.
• If you get a nick while shaving, a small piece of coffee filter over the small cut works better than using toilet paper.

Uses for Coffee Filters: Kitchen

• No tea bags, no problem!  Scoop some loose tea into the middle of a coffee filter and tie it up tightly with string.  Use to brew tea like you would a normal tea bag.
• This same method can be used to infuse your sun tea with mint, lemons, berries, and more.
• Prevent your sandwich from getting soggy by wrapping it in a coffee filter before placing it into a plastic bag.
• Put a coffee filter over your dish before microwaving to prevent splatters (especially when reheating pasta sauce).
• Wrap a filter around a popsicle or ice cream cone to prevent drips.
• Having trouble getting silks off corn on the cob?  Wipe it down with a damp coffee filter and the silks should come right off.
• Heat tortillas by placing a couple between two damp coffee filters and placing them in the microwave for a few seconds.
• Filter the pulp and seeds out of fresh citrus juices.
• Wrap filters around fresh produce before putting them in the crisper.  This will keep them fresh longer.
• Fold and use to spread oil or butter onto a baking pan.  The strong material means it won’t fall apart like some paper towels and napkins.
• When frying food, place a couple coffee filters over the serving dish or plate to absorb extra oil and grease.
• Use them for kids (or anyone) to hold food, especially snacks on the go.
• Use a filter to line the bottom of a cookie jar or tin.
• Line your kitchen scale with a coffee filter before weighing food.
• Coffee filters can be used as a kitchen rag in place of a paper towel.

Uses for Coffee Filters:  Other Household

• Because coffee filters are lint-free, they can be used to wipe down glass, television screens, appliances, and more.
• They also work great for polishing shoes.
• Spill liquid on carpet?  Place the filter over the wet spot and leave it to absorb the liquid.
• Create a sachet with a coffee filter, baking soda, and dried herbs (like lavender).  Stick them in shoes, and drawers to keep things smelling fresh.
• Coffee filters can be made into homemade dryer sheets by dipping them into a mixture of vinegar and essential oils like lavender (make sure it’s not soaking, just damp). 
• Here is an awesome potty training tip!  Line the bottom of the toddler potty with a coffee filter.  Then you can easily lift any bowl movements out of the toilet for easy disposal.
• Place a coffee filter at the bottom of your flower pot before planting.  The filter allows the water to drain out at the bottom and keeps the soil in place.
• Sprout seeds by placing seeds inside a damp coffee filter and putting it into a plastic bag.
• While having a picnic, cover the food with coffee filters to keep flies away.

Misc. Uses for Coffee Filters

• Kids crafts!  Coffee filters can handle glue, paint, and anything else kids want to attach to them.  They can be flowers, parachutes, and more.
• Place coffee filters between stacked china to prevent chipping and scratching.
• Use filters to individually wrap fragile Christmas ornaments.
• Coffee filters make a great backing for embroidering.
• Shred coffee filters for packing material when shipping fragile items.
• Shredded unbleached filters can be used at the bottom of hamster and guinea pig cages.
• Coffee filters can be used as pooper-scoopers for your dog.
• Use coffee filters to filter your rain water collection.  It keeps leaves and other debris out (water will still have to be boiled for consumption).

All of these home remedies may not work for everyone all of the time.  However most of them seem like they would work well.  Which ones work for you?  Please let us know in our Green Living forum.