10 Unexpected Uses For Coffee Filters That Go Beyond Brewing A Pot

These days, it's hard to imagine life without coffee. Even if you can't abide the stuff, only drink decaf, or prefer a tall glass of sweet tea, coffee plays an important part in culture in the South and around the world. Can you imagine a Waffle House without a waitress offering coffee? Or a grandmama offering a slice of pie or cake without coffee to go with it? Or cowboys around the fire in the early morning light without a cup of coffee in hand? Coffee is a staple in kitchens and cafés and campouts around the world. For those of us who like to make a pot at home, our counters are stocked with a coffee maker, coffee beans, and coffee filters.

Filters are necessary for making drip coffee, of course, but those paper filters aren't just single use. Turns out they are pretty handy in all sorts of other household chores. My favorite use for a coffee filter is to use one to line an 8- or 9-inch cake pan when you don’t have parchment (or are too lazy to cut a perfect circle). Simply grease or spray the pan, flatten out a liner into the bottom of the pan, then spray or grease again, and in my experience, you’re good to go and the cake (or even coffee cake) easily slides out of the pan. 

Here are some actual experts with other uses for coffee filters outside of making the perfect cup of joe:

Planter Liner

“I grow a lot of herbs and veggies in my garden, and my favorite way to use coffee filters is by lining planting pots with filters! They help stop the planting material like pearlite and clay pebbles from falling out of the holes while also still allowing the pots to drain,” suggested Lindsey Neumayer of a Recipe for Fun.

Mini Greenhouse

“Transform a coffee filter into a mini greenhouse by placing it over the top of a small plant pot. It helps retain moisture and warmth, giving your seedlings the perfect start,” recommends home organizer Melanie Summers of I Speak Organized.

Instant Strainer

“A smart way to use a coffee filter is to have them strain homemade sauces, juices, and broths,” suggests Malak Bellajdel, an interior design expert at Interior Moderna. “They catch all the little bits you don’t want. It really comes in hand when you don’t have a cheesecloth or a regular metal strainer.” 

Window Cleaner

“Your trusty coffee filters can do more than just brew your morning cup of joe-they’re also fantastic for keeping your mirrors, glass, and other surfaces sparkling clean without any annoying streaks. Just dampen a coffee filter with a solution of water + vinegar or your preferred glass cleaner, and the lint-free material of coffee filters ensures a streak-free shine every time you wipe down your surfaces. Make sure the filter is not too wet, just slightly dampened. Give it a try and see the difference!” says Ronnie Kendrick, founder of CompanyClean, a house cleaning service in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.

DIY Dryer Sheet

"Coffee filters can come in handy as DIY dryer sheets. All you need to do is add a couple of drops of an essential oil you like to a filter and throw it in with your laundry. It works so well for making your clothes smell good without all the chemicals in regular dryer sheets,” suggests Bellajdel.

Grease-Free Microwave Cover

“Use a coffee filter as a cover for dishes in the microwave to prevent splatters. It's a simple way to keep your microwave clean without using plastic,” suggests Summers.

Lint-Free Cleaner

“Coffee filters, unlike paper towels don't contain lint, so they make a great option for cleaning windows, mirrors, and electronics, polishing shoes, drying glasses and even greasing a cookie sheet,” says Michael Clarke, founder of Pulled, a home management platform.

DIY Tea Bag

“Fill a coffee filter with loose leaf tea, tie it with a string, and voila! You've got a homemade tea bag ready for steeping,” says Summers of of I Speak Organized.

Blotting Paper

“A really interesting one is using them as blotting papers for oily skin. They soak up shine without messing up your makeup. They’re also much more affordable than blotting sheets. You can just quickly grab a few from the kitchen before heading out," suggests Bellajdel of Interior Moderna.

Odor Absorber 

“Place a few tablespoons of baking soda in a coffee filter, secure it with a rubber band, and tuck it into shoes, gym bags, or the fridge to absorb odors,” recommends home organizer Summers.