Table of Contents
Introduction
For a fresh atmosphere and smell free air, many people are searching for odor absorbers. We are moving towards an eco-friendly era, because of that, people prefer chemical free solutions, like people searching for the natural absorbers that can be used to absorb odor. From activated charcoal to baking soda, we have a variety of lists, but there is a most common and surprising alternative that is usually present in our kitchen known as coffee grounds.
But before using it as an odor absorber, a question is generated in people’s minds do coffee grounds absorb odor. In this article, we are finding the answer to that query and exploring every parameter regarding do coffee grounds absorb odor.
How odors work & what makes a substance absorb odors
Before exploring do coffee grounds absorb odor, first we have to understand what the odors actually are…
Organic food waste like rotten eggs, leftover cooked meat and vegetables, expired dairy products or other spoiled food produces tiny molecules that become airborne and are inhaled by our noses. We know this smell as an odor. Sometimes this odor is weak, and sometimes it smells so strong, it depends on how the volatile molecules are.
So, to neutralize these particles, we required a substance that has a porous structure that can trap these tiny odor molecules and then chemically react with them to break down their effect. Naturally these elements are present in some well known materials like activated charcoal and baking soda. But coffee grounds have these abilities too…?
Properties in coffee grounds
The answer to do coffee grounds absorb odor is hidden under its properties. So, let’s understand its properties.
Porous texture
After reading the above section, we know that we require that kind of material that has a porous structure that will help to trap tiny odor molecules. Like charcoal and baking soda, coffee grounds have a porous structure.
Moisture absorbing properties
Usually air moisture carries the odor molecules in it and also causes bacteria. As compared to fresh coffee grounds, used coffee grounds have more ability to absorb moisture from air.
Rich in nitrogen
Odor smells that are generated because of sulfur can be neutralized by reacting with nitrogen. Elements like odors that come from rotten eggs and fish come because of sulfur and specially require an absorber that has a nitrogen element. In coffee grounds, these nitrogen elements are present in good quantity.
Mild scent of their own
For an absorber, it is not only enough to just absorb smell from air. It is also its responsibility to produce some good, pleasant aroma in the air. Coffee grounds have this ability too. It produces a pleasant earthy scent that enhances the air quality.
Do coffee grounds absorb odor
So, do coffee grounds absorb odor? The answer is…
YES. After understanding its properties, now we know that it is not a home remedy myth. It absorbs odor from the air. In support of this popular natural deodorizing hack, we have scientific logic too, which is mentioned below.
Scientific logic behind how coffee ground
As discussed above, coffee grounds contain nitrogen, which works excellently against sulfur based odors. All types of sulfur based odors, like rotten eggs, spoiled meat and especially fish odor can be excellently absorbed by coffee grounds because of this nitrogen substance.
Not just only nitrogen, there is one more element present in coffee grounds that plays an excellent role against the odor known as carbon. Let’s take an example of activated charcoal. Activated charcoal is also known as activated carbon because it is made up of carbon and has small, low-volume pores. Research discovered that these pores have helped in gas absorption.
Similarly, research revealed that more than 50% of coffee grounds are made up of carbons, which play an essential role in the absorption of odor. Coffee grounds are not as chemically harmful as other man made chemical products are. In fact, coffee grounds are not even chemically reactive as compared to other natural absorbers like charcoal and baking soda, which means they are not as strong as charcoal or baking soda but are a good enough and effective solution for moderate and enclosed spaces.
Real world proof, anecdotal evidence from households
Now, lastly, let’s go through some daily life examples for proper awareness of do coffee grounds absorb odor…
Trash box
Trash boxes are the first place where food waste and organic trash can produce some odors. And for removing these odors, people sprinkle some dry coffee grounds at the bottom of the trash box.
Refrigerator
Fridges and refrigerators are the 2nd most common places where spoiled and leftover foods produce odor. For absorbing this odor, people usually put dry coffee grounds in an open container and put it in the refrigerator.
Shoes
Shoes are one of the main sources of unpleasant odor because they can easily trap sweat and moisture. To remove this foot odor, people put some coffee grounds in old socks and place them in each shoe overnight.
Cars
A car is also a place where odors can easily develop because of food spills or sometimes because of wet floor mats. To counter these kinds of odors, people usually filled a mesh bag or a cloth pouch with dry coffee grounds and placed it under the seat or in a cup holder or sometimes in the trunk.
Conclusion
Now, in the last, if we conclude our query, do coffee grounds absorb odor then we get the answer, YES, they can absorb. And after reading the complete article, you understood that it is not a myth. It is actually a scientific proving solution. And in our daily lives, people use it in so many ways to counter different kinds of odors.