Smart and Creative Uses for Coffee Filters

We have a newborn at home and we've been using paper plates to make life a little easier and of course, I ran out just as I had a play date scheduled. Instead of hauling a newborn and toddler to the store, I used coffee filters as plates to serve snacks to the kiddos.

And as I thought about it, there are a TON of creative uses for coffee filters and they are only $1 at the Dollar Tree for a pack of 150 filters!  Economical. Environmental. What a deal! 

Here are some creative uses:

• Snacks
• Popsicle Saver.  Make hole in middle and put Popsicle stick through.  
• Wrap ice cream cone. 
• Decorate and make snowflakes.  
• Party decorations.
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• Put a filter on the bottom of your flower pot containers, over the drainage holes. This keeps the soil contained.
• Makeup catch-all tray.
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• Soak filters in brewed tea or even just plain water and chill. Fold them and use as cold compress for puffy eyes.
• A coffee filter is perfect for spreading oil or butter on a cooking pan since a coffee filter is stronger than napkin.  
• Shield stacked china from scratches and nicks by layering a filter between each piece.                                                                       

• Use a coffee filter to prevent splatter when heating something in the microwave, simply place over the top of your food and carry on like normal.
• Use a coffee filter as a makeshift rag. Unlike paper towels, coffee filters are lint free and take up very little space.
• Put under bacon, fries, fried chicken etc. to soak up excess grease. 
• Clean wine glasses. 
• Line any container.
• Arts & Crafts.
• Tray for art supplies such as glitter, stickers, etc.  

• Make homemade tea bags by filling coffee filters with a selection of loose tea leaves and dried fruit peels. Tie together with string and use just like normal tea bags.
• Use as a sandwich wrap (inside the baggy or plastic container) so your sandwich doesn’t get soggy in your lunchbox.
• If you use cloth diapers you can line your diaper with a couple of these and toss the solids rather than not having anywhere to rinse them.
• Use to polish shoes.
• Use as a mini cutting board for chopping (not slicing) one tomato, onion, etc
• Use filters to bake jumbo muffins or mini cakes in the oven. Fill the filter 1/3 full with batter and place in a shallow circular pan to bake.
• Wrap cut celery stalks in a coffee filter before putting them in a plastic bag to store in the refrigerator. The coffee filter will help absorb any moisture, and keeps the celery crisp longer.
• Kids Place Setting. 

• Create wall art! 
• Place a few tablespoons of baking powder in a filter and twist the top together with a rubber band. Place in shoes, gym bag, closet, refrigerator, or anywhere else that may have developed some less-than-pleasant odors.
• To sprout seeds, dampen a coffee filter, place seeds inside, fold it and place it into a zip-lock plastic bag.
• Keep in your car glove box for window cleaning, to use as napkins and for quick cleanups.
• Line a colander or strainer with a coffee filter, place the strainer in a bowl, fill with regular yogurt, and let sit in the fridge overnight. Fresh Greek yogurt for breakfast!
• Use a coffee filter to spot clean your clothing. Use white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide and the spot will be greatly reduced if not disappear completely.
• Separate tortillas for freezing.
• Add some fragrant flowers to the middle of a coffee filter and tie with a pretty ribbon to make a DIY sachet to scent your delicates.

• Get spills out of carpets, before they stain. While the spill is still wet, cover it with a coffee filter. They will wick up the spill.
• For perfectly heated tortillas, spritz a coffee filter with water and lay a tortilla on top of it. Spritz a second coffee filter and put it on top. Heat the stack in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, and your tortilla will be warm and still pliable. You can use the same ones over and over.
• Filter wine when you break the cork
• Wrap Christmas ornaments for storage
• Use them to remove nail polish when out of cotton balls.
• Diffuse the flash on a camera.
• Put a filter in the bottom of a fruit bowl to prevent brown spots on your fruits or vegetables.

What are some creative ways you use coffee filters? Please share with us!
Next week, we'll share creative uses for cupcake liners!

- Cheers!

Melinda