You might think coffee filters are just for making coffee, but you couldn’t be more wrong. They do so much more than help you brew that liquid gold in the mornings.
Coffee filters can be used for home remedies, cleaning solutions, crafts, and so much more! Really, if you only use them for coffee, you’ve been missing out.
Next time you need a quick fix for a household project, try a coffee filter. It is so much easier than going to the store and buying whatever specific tool you think you need. Plus it’s cheaper! Here are 55 super smart uses for coffee filters.
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1. Filter Your Wine
Old wine bottles may contain buildups of sediment, such as yeast cells and pieces of grape. Use an unbleached coffee filter to separate the sediment. Great quality for an even better price.
2. DIY Eye Remedy
If your eyes are itchy or puffy, you can make your own remedy at home. Soak the coffee filters in water, then chill them in the fridge. Once they are cool, fold the filters and place them over your eye. To level up even more, soak the filters in an herbal tea.
3. Perfect Your Manicure
Coffee filters are great for removing nail polish from the around your fingernail. They are even softer than a cotton ball, so they are the perfect tool to use when you need to be diligent. Dab a filter in some nail polish remover, and you’re good to go!
4. Keep Your Dishes Nice
Place a coffee filter between each plate or bowl stacked in your cabinets. The filters are soft, so they will prevent your dishes from scratching if they move against each other. They will also make it easier to put the dishes away quietly.
5. Polish Your Boots
Use a coffee filter to shine up your boots. The fine fibers will get every nook and cranny. Your boots will look AMAZING!
6. Snack Plates
Coffee filters are the perfect size to act as little plates for your afternoon snacks. This way you won’t have to wash a whole plate. Plus you get automatic portion control.
7. Prevent Skillets From Rusting
Keep your skillet from rusting by placing a coffee filter inside whenever you aren’t using it. The filter will absorb moisture which would ordinarily cause rust. Who doesn’t want longer lasting kitchen ware?!
8. Keep Your Microwave Clean
Did you know coffee filters are microwave-safe? That means you can place them on top of your food to prevent it from splattering everywhere! Place the filter on your plate or bowl before putting it in the microwave. Your life just got easier.
9. Dry Your Glassware
Smudgy glasses are not attractive. If your glasses are still damp after a cycle through the dishwasher, dry them off with a coffee filter. Your glassware will look better than ever.
10. DIY Loose Leaf Tea
You can make your own elaborate tea blends by using a coffee filter as the tea bag. Place your ingredients in the center of the filter, then roll the sides in so you have a rectangle. Next fold each side in. You might want to tie the bag to make sure it stays shut!
11. Polish Stainless Steel
Stainless steel looks amazing – except when it has those ugly streaks on it. Coffee filters are the perfect solution! Use them to clean and polish your steel appliances.
12. Clean Your Screens
Coffee filters are made from paper that is much softer than paper towels. The result? You can use the filters to clean your computer, phone, and TV screens without having to worry about damaging them. It’s a good idea to clean your phone often. After all, you touch it ALL THE TIME!
13. Dry Fried Food
If your food is a little too greasy, dry it up with a coffee filter. French fries and bacon can be wonderful with a little grease, but too much is just gross. The extra grease is bad for you anyway.
14. Soften The Flash
Camera flashes can be so bright – especially from smart phones. If you need the flash but not quite at that intensity, you can always calm it down with a coffee filter. The filter is porous enough to let light through, but it will definitely help dim your flash.
15. Last-Minute Handy Wipes
If you are out of wipes and need one fast, reach over for a coffee filter. Spray a little solution onto the filter, and use it to wipe up whatever you need. They are even the perfect size!
16. Dab Your Face
If you have oily and sensitive skin, you’ve probably noticed that it gets irritated every time you try to dab it. Because coffee filters are so soft, they work great at removing excess oil from the skin without irritating it. You’ll never have to worry about looking oily in a photo again.
17. Line Kids’ Potties
Cleaning out the potty is no fun at all. Coffee filters can’t make it fun, but they can make it much easier. Line the potty with them for an easy-to-clean mess.
18. Catch The Drippings From Your Frozen Dessert
Popsicles, ice cream cones, and ice cream sandwiches all melt so quickly! Don’t let them drip all over the floor. Next time you are about to enjoy a tasty frozen treat, grab a coffee filter to hold underneath. It will catch all the droppings, preventing you from having to clean up a BIG MESS afterward.
19. Clean Up Spills
Coffee filters are super absorbent, which makes them great for mopping up a liquid mess. Grab one and place it on the spill – or grab more if it’s a big one!
20. Protect Your Packages
Shipping fragile items can be scary. Wrap a few coffee filters around your delicate goods before placing them into the package. The filters will help absorb any impact, keeping your items safe on their journey.
21. Clean Your Eye Glasses
Those glass-cleaning cloths can be tricky to keep track of. Instead of searching high and low, grab a coffee filter. It won’t scratch your glasses.
22. DIY Dryer Sheets
Make your own dryer sheets by sprinkling a few drops of your favorite essential oil onto a coffee filter. The filter is absorbent enough to freshen your fabrics effectively. Even better – you can change up the scent whenever you want!
23. Weigh Your Food
If you like to weigh your food, you’ve probably noticed that weighing chopped food is complicated. Place your chopped ingredients into a coffee filter, then place it on the scale. Simple but effective.
24. Pot Plants
Coffee filters can help prevent the soil from spilling out of the bottom of the planter while you pot your plants. Place a filter at the bottom of the planter, covering the hole. Water will still be able to run through it, but your soil will stay where it is.
25. Wrap Christmas Ornaments
We all love opening our ornaments every year to see them bright and shining. Keep them in stunning condition by wrapping them in coffee filters when you pack them away. The holiday fun might be over, but you can still do more to make next year’s holiday season spectacular.
26. Grease Pans With Ease
Greasing a pan can be messy work. Take the hassle out by using a coffee filter. Dip the filter into some cooking oil and rub it around your pan. The best part is that the filter won’t leave behind any fibers.
27. Back Your Embroidery
If you are an embroiderer – first of all congratulations on being so talented! Second, consider using coffee filters to back your embroidery. You’ll be able to sew through them easily, but they are still strong enough to give support.
28. Freshen Your Shoes
An old pair of sneakers can be SMELLY! To control the odor, place a few tablespoons of baking soda into the middle of a coffee filter. Fold it up and secure it with a rubber band. Then place your little package into the sole of your shoe. This also works with gym bags, closets, cars – really anywhere!
29. Protect Non-Stick Pans
Non-stick pans are THE BEST! But if you scratch one badly, you are in for an unpleasant surprise. Keep your non-stick pans pristine by protecting them with a coffee filter inside.
30. Spice Up Your Soups
Some soup recipes require ingredients that will be removed before the dish is served, such as bay leaves and whole spices. Instead of fishing around the bowl with your spoon, place these ingredients inside a coffee filter. Fold and tie the filter, then plop it in the soup. When it is time to remove your spices, the process will be SO MUCH EASIER.
31. Make-Up Remover
Out of make-up remover wipes? You might not even need any! Dip a coffee filter in a little coconut oil, and you have a soft, natural solution. Your skin will thank you.
32. Keep Your Veggies Crisp
The crisper in the fridge doesn’t always do its job properly. If you want to keep your veggies crisper for longer, wrap them up in coffee filters. Next place them into sealable containers, and put them back in the fridge. They will be nice and crisp when you are ready to enjoy them.
33. Remove The Cork From Wine
We all get a little of our cork stuck in our wine at some point. You definitely don’t want to drink it, so what should you do? Grab a coffee filter and filter your wine from bottle to glass!
34. Sprout Some Seeds
Spring is here, and that means it’s planting season! Even if you are still in cold weather, you can get a head start on your planting by sprouting your seeds indoors. Place a coffee filter into water, then wrap it around your seeds. Fold the filter and place it into a ziplock bag. Keep the seeds somewhere warm – it will only take a few days for them to start sprouting!
35. Treat A Wound
If you have a cut or bruise, place some ice inside a coffee filter. Wrap the filter so the ice is enclosed, then gently press it against the wound. The cold will bring down any swelling, and it will probably feel pretty good. This works with headaches and fevers, too!
36. Polish Your China
Since coffee filters are so soft yet strong, they make great cleaning wipes for your more delicate plate wear. Use the coffee filter in the same way you would use a rag. It will keep your dishes just as clean, but without leaving behind any ugly streaks.
37. DIY Waxing Strips
Cut coffee filters into rectangles to use them as waxing strips. They work just as well, at a fraction of the cost. You will look absolutely amazing.
38. Make A Funnel
Funnels are useful for just about everything, from measuring ingredients to replacing your car’s oil. Cone-shaped coffee filters make the perfect funnels. Just cut off a bit of the bottom and you’re good to go!
39. Cover Shaving Cuts
If you cut yourself while shaving, rip off a tiny piece of a coffee filter. It works much better than toilet paper! It won’t leave behind any fibers, so your cut will stay clean.
40. Tend To A Fever
Fevers are no fun. If you don’t already have an ice pack, the last thing you want to do is go to the store and buy one. Luckily you don’t have to! Soak a few coffee filters in water, then place them in the freezer. Once they are cold place them on your forehead. It might not cure you instantly, but at least this solution is hassle-free!
41. Infuse A Sun Tea
Brewing a tea in the sun? Infuse it with mint, berries, or whatever you want! Wrap the ingredients in a coffee filter, tie it up, and drop it down into your tea. Scoop it out when you are ready.
42. Stash Them Everywhere
Coffee filters are so versatile, you’ll want to have one handy wherever you go. Place a few in the glove box of your car. Keep a few more in a drawer at your desk. There are so many great occasions to use a coffee filter!
43. Keep Sandwiches Fresh
No one likes a soggy sandwich. Before placing your sandwich in its container, wrap it in coffee filters. They will pull away the extra moisture, leaving your bread fresh and dry.
44. Rub Cooking Oil Onto Pastries
Many pastry recipes require you to brush oil on top of them before placing them in the oven. If you don’t have a kitchen brush, coffee filters are your new best friends. Dip them in cooking oil, then gently rub them on the tops of your pastries.
45. Make Corn On The Cob
If the silks are sticking to the corn after you boil it, use a coffee filter to scrape them off. Since it won’t leave any particles behind on the corn, your meal will be that much closer to perfection!
46. Keep Track Of Small Objects
If you are building a piece of furniture, working with legos, or doing any other project that requires tiny parts, grab some coffee filters. Use them to store different types of tiny pieces. Now they won’t get lost!
47. Filter Citrus Juice
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve fished lemon seeds out of a measuring cup. Next time you are squeezing some citrus, place a coffee filter over the cup. It will catch the seeds but let the juice right through.
48. Line Your Cookie Jars
Cookies are AMAZING! Crumbs, on the other hand, are a total hassle. Place a coffee filter on the bottom of your cookie jar before placing the cookies inside. The filter will catch the crumbs and soak up some of the oil, making your cleanup way less stressful.
49. Heat Up Tortillas
If you don’t want to deal with the stove, you can use the microwave to heat your tortillas. Dampen two coffee filters, and place a few tortillas in between them. You only need to heat them for a few seconds.
50. Hold Messy Meals
If you are eating something that makes a huge mess – like a pita or quesadilla – you might want to have something to catch all those crumbs. Use a coffee filter as a napkin under your food. It works in a similar way, but the filter is even better because it has a natural dip that keeps crumbs from falling out.
51. Make Your Hamster Cozy
Shred coffee filters to serve as the bottom of the cage for a hamster or guinea pig. Your fuzzy friend will appreciate the soft floor. These filters are cheap and easy to clean up, so you’re all set.
52. Hold Dirty Spoons
Coffee filters are perfect for storing sticky spoons between stirring. They are the perfect size, and you won’t have to waste extra paper by using a giant paper towel. When you are done preparing your meal simply recycle the filter.
53. Clean Up Around The House
Coffee filters are great for cleaning just about any surface. The tiny fibers will ensure that whatever surface you clean will be streak-free. Your windows will look amazing.
54. Fun Kids’ Crafts
Coffee filters can be anything when you set your mind to it. They make the best kids’ crafts because they are easy to work with, neat, colorable, and foldable. You could make a parachute, a bouquet of flowers, or anything you want!
55. Make Fun Goodie Bags
Every party needs an awesome goodie bag. Take your favorite colors of washable markers and draw fun patterns on the filters. Next spray them with water – the lighter the better. Fill each one with goodies, then fold them and tie them with ribbons. This craft is so cute!
There are DOZENS of incredible things you can do with coffee filters. The sky is the limit!
Do you have any other creative coffee filter hacks? Please share them in the comments below!
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