Who Knew There Were So Many Uses For Coffee Filters?
I’ve written dozens of posts over the years sharing creative ways to use everyday household items. It’s a topic that I’m really passionate about! More often than not, those “single-use” items you have around the house can actually be used in a lot of different ways.
And every once in a while, I learn about so many useful things I can do with an item that I end up keeping it on hand even when I don’t use the item for its intended purpose! That was certainly the case with used coffee grounds, so it makes sense that it also ended up being the case for coffee filters too.
Even though we don’t drink coffee, I keep a package of coffee filters in the cupboard because there are so many brilliant ways to use them! I normally avoid buying things I don’t really need, but I’m happy to make an exception in this case (and it doesn’t hurt that coffee filters are really cheap!)
White vs. Brown Filters: Does Color Make A Difference?
When shopping for paper coffee filters, the two types you’ll see are white bleached filters and brown unbleached filters. While the bleaching process that white filters go through can help prevent your coffee from taking on a paper-y taste, it also produces chemical waste. (Plus, you can get rid of unbleached coffee filters’ paper taste by giving them a quick rinse beforehand!)
For the coffee filter uses listed below, feel free to use whatever kind you have (or whatever’s cheapest), whether bleached or unbleached!
So exactly what can you do with coffee filters? (You’re not the only one who’s curious, as this is one of my most popular pins on Pinterest so far this year!) Read on to find out!
18 Brilliant Uses For Coffee Filters
No tea bags? A coffee filter is the perfect stand-in.
1. Soothe Puffy Eyes
Use a couple of coffee filters to help soothe puffy, itchy eyes. Just soak them in brewed tea (chamomile works well) or plain water, then chill them in the fridge. Then fold the filters and place them over your eyes as a soothing cold compress — ahh!
Related: 15 Quick & Easy Home Remedies For Red, Itchy Eyes
No more paper bits left behind after buttering a pan.
2. Grease Bakeware
Coffee filters are great for greasing baking dishes and pans with oil or butter because they don’t leave behind any fibers or residue. Just dip the filter into a bit of oil or softened butter and rub it around the inside of your pan!
3. Prevent Popsicle Messes
Prevent sticky fingers and stained clothes by putting a coffee filter on your ice pop stick. Just snip a small slit in the center and push the stick through it. The filter will absorb any drips so you can enjoy a refreshing frozen treat without the mess!
