Surprising Uses for Coffee Filters

DIY 4 Minutes

On a trip to Walmart, the coffee filters we usually buy were not to be found anywhere.  Instead, they had “natural” ones which quite frankly looked already used—light brown in color. I bought them anyway in case we ran out.  They’ve been in the pantry since then and I wondered if I could use them for anything else.  Lo and behold, I found an article on The Spruce detailing such uses!

From The Spruce:

Coffee filters aren’t just for coffee makers anymore. The inexpensive filters are perfect for tasks from the kitchen to the garden because of their bowl shape, strength when wet, absorbency, and they are lint-free.

We gathered 17 clever uses for coffee filters around the house, and after reading, we’ll bet you find many more reasons to keep the filters on hand.

Protect Dinnerware from Scratches

Constantly stacking dinnerware can cause tiny scratches on the surfaces that look unattractive and weaken the material. Place a single coffee filter between each plate when storing or moving dinnerware to help protect the finishes.

Catch Popsicle Drips and Taco Spills

Eating can be messy, but not if you keep some coffee filters on hand. Cut a small slit in the center of a filter so you can slip in the wooden stick of a popsicle before you hand it over to be enjoyed.  The round filters are also a perfect fit to hold a taco or burger if you’re standing up at a party or eating on the run in your car.

Prevent Rust on Cast Iron Pans

Dampness is the enemy of cast iron pans and cookware. After washing and drying your favorite pan, slip a coffee filter inside to absorb any moisture that might linger. A bonus is that the filter will protect the interior surface from scratches if you stack the pans.

No More Messy Hands When Baking

Most bakeware should be greased before adding the batter to prevent sticking. The process can result in messy hands but not if you use a coffee filter to spread the butter or shortening. Simply use the filter to evenly spread the butter, toss it in the trash, and keep on baking.

Absorb Grease from Foods

Most people use a paper towel to absorb excess grease from bacon, French fries, or fried chicken. But, a few coffee filters work just as well. Line a plate with the filters and watch them soak up the oil.

Make Glassware Sparkle

If your drinkware has spots after removing it from the dishwasher, use a coffee filter to make it shine. The filters are lint-free and slightly textured so they gently scrub away the minerals that leave water spots.

Tip

Coffee filters work well on shower doors and bathroom mirrors with water spots.

Save the Cost of a Plumber

Coffee filters won’t unclog a sink, but they can save you the cost of a plumber to remove the clog.  When cleaning vegetables or scraping plates after dinner, put a coffee filter over the drain. It will catch the small pieces of food and debris that might create a clog. When you are finished at the sink, gather up the filter and toss it away.

Remove Dust from Electronics Screens

The screens on electronics are sensitive and easily scratched by gritty cleaning clothes and stiff paper towels that can leave lint. Coffee filters are perfect for quick clean-ups of television, laptop, and gaming screens. Just use a light touch and dust and fingerprints will be gone.

Prevent Microwave Splatters

We’ve all done it; placed a dish of leftovers in the microwave uncovered and then discovered an oven filled with splatters. Use a coffee filter over foods to catch the mess before it happens.

Spout Some Seeds

If you enjoy fresh chia seed sprouts for salads or just want to get a head start on the successful planting of some types of seeds, use a coffee filter.  Dampen the filter, sprinkle on the seeds in a closed container (glass jar or plastic bag), and place in a warm spot. The seeds will sprout with ease.

Line a Plant Container

Drainage is essential in a plant container but you don’t want soil leaking out of the drainage holes. Whether you are planting a pot or a hanging basket, place a coffee filter (or a few) in the bottom of the container before you add the soil. The water will drain out easily but the soil will stay in place.

Shine Stainless Steel Until it Is Streak-free

After cleaning a stainless-steel appliance or piece of cookware, use a coffee filter to buff the finish. Work in the direction of the grain and because the filters are lint-free, you’ll get a great shine.

Tip

After you clean a stainless-steel kitchen sink, dry it with a coffee filter to prevent water spots and streaks.

Protect Treasured Holiday Ornaments

Even if you have customized containers for storing heirloom holiday ornaments, use a coffee filter to wrap each one to add protection from dust and scratches. The filters are inexpensive and easy to use. You’ll enjoy unwrapping each one year after year.

Get Streak Free Windows

Coffee filters are the perfect last touch when cleaning windows. They will leave a lint-free, streak-free finish as you dry the glass. They also work great on car windows, mirrors, and glass tabletops.

Corral Small Pieces When Assembling Furniture

When you open a DIY furniture kit, use a coffee filter to hold the small screws and pieces. The bowl shape will help you keep them from rolling away and the filters are inexpensive enough that you can use several to sort the pieces. The same tip works great for kid’s game pieces.

Create Pressed Flowers

Coffee filters work beautifully to absorb moisture when pressing flowers in a book or a flower press. The smooth texture will not leave “dimples” like some embossed paper towels and no dye transfer to delicate petals.

Make a Shoe Freshener

To help keep sneakers and shoes smelling fresh between washings, make some odor absorbers using coffee filters.  Put about one-fourth cup of baking soda in the center of a filter. Gather up the edges and tie them with some string or use a rubber band.  Place the pouches in the shoes to absorb odors. After about a month of use, toss the filters and make a fresh batch.

SOURCE: THE SPRUCE: Mary Marlowe Leverette

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Published by pat frederick

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140 thoughts on “Surprising Uses for Coffee Filters”

  9. “Belgian imam cites Quran quote calling to murder Jews in the middle of parliament The Quran quote calls for killing and imprisoning “enemies”
    February 19, 2024
    editor: REMIX NEWS author: MAGYAR HÍRLAP

    ENTIRE ARTICLE: “Last week, an imam in Belgium recited a passage from the Quran in the Parliament of the Brussels-Capital Region, with the passage widely believed to call Muslims to kill Jews. Many MPs expressed their outrage at the imam’s presence in parliament, and Israel’s ambassador to Belgium was horrified to hear that such a verse was shared with lawmakers.

    The excerpt from the Quran refers to Al-Ahzab sura, chapter 33:26, which translates to read: “And He brought down those from the People of the Book who supported the enemy alliance from their own strongholds, and cast horror into their hearts. You believers killed some, and took others captive.”

    The Quran often refers to the Jews as the “People of the Book,” and scholars believe this excerpt calls upon Muslims to kill Jews. Tuesday’s event was not organized by the parliament, but at the initiative of Hasan Koyuncu, a Socialist Party MP who also serves as the vice-president of the Francophone Parliament in Brussels and the Brussels Friends Association.

    MEP Theo Francken, who has been critical of the organizer of the event, wrote on X earlier on Twitter: “This man invited this imam. This is the vice-president of the parliament. How can it stay like this?”

    MP Darya Safai recalled her own detention in Tehran in response to the imam’s presence in parliament: “We woke up every morning in the Ayatollahs’ prison with the same chants as here in the Brussels Parliament, we had to pray the same words in our cells, and at the same time several Iranians were hanged to set an example to others.”

    “I managed to escape from that prison alive, unlike many others, and I am even more shocked to hear the same thing here in Belgium, 24 years later, in the heart of Western democracy.”

    Nawal Ben Hamou, secretary ofsState of the Brussels region, left the event in response to the incident. Israel’s ambassador to Belgium, Idit Rosenzweig, said on X that he was “absolutely horrified” by what had happened, writing: “He could have chosen anything other than a scary symbolic message to people who know the Quran straight from the podium of the parliament… in the Brussels parliament, a city of 18,000 Jews who are already experiencing heightened anti-Semitism and fear”

    Parliament President Rachid Madrane reacted to the incident on X, writing, “Parliament is nothing but a temple of democracy. I will remind the organizer of the visit and the group leaders of this, and I will propose that respect for neutrality be explicitly included in the parliamentary rules.”

    Liked by 1 person

      1. It is truly frightening to think…more and more countries every day are embedding them in their governments, awarding them high positions. Stupid, stupid moves!!!

        Liked by 1 person

  11. “Trump Dominates NBA Dunk Contest Thanks To New Sneakers”

    SPORTS · Feb 18, 2024 · BabylonBee.com

    INDIANAPOLIS — A surprise late entrant, former President Donald Trump absolutely dominated the NBA Dunk Contest after strapping on a pair of his brand-new sneakers known as the “Never Surrender High Tops”.

    A sold-out crowd sat in stunned silence as Trump laced up the golden sneakers and made his way to half-court, limbering up for his first jam. The 77-year-old dribbled toward the key, then as the crowd held its breath, Trump exploded airborne into a physics-defying 360-degree spin, finishing with a thunderous windmill slam. The arena erupted into deafening cheers as Trump straightened his tie, then flipped the ball to a dumbfounded contest judge Shaquille O’Neal.

    “Jammed it home, just like I said,” said Trump as the crowd snapped pictures. “Not bad for a warm-up dunk! Just getting started, believe me. Look at these high tops, beautiful and gold, they’re so comfortable. We’re going to win big tonight, big and comfortable, just like November!”

    Despite the best efforts of Celtics guard Jaylen Brown and Orlando Magic guard Mac McClung, the NBA’s best were simply no match for the former President. Trump dazzled with his second dunk, a Blake Griffin-Michael Jordan mashup of floating near horizontal after leaping from the free throw line. Finally, Trump clinched a runaway victory with a ridiculous, blindfolded alley-oop to himself off the backboard, complete with a behind-the-back move and a full front flip.

    At publishing time, Trump had stopped by the World Track and Field Championship and set a new world record in the 100m dash while wearing his “Never Surrender High Tops”, becoming a veritable blur of golden patriotism.”

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Democrats Concerned Biden May Be Too Old To Finish Destroying Country

    POLITICS · Feb 19, 2024 · BabylonBee.com

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — At a secret meeting of high-ranking party leadership, Democrats expressed grave concern that President Joe Biden may be too old to complete their party’s mission of the utter destruction of the country.

    Though Democratic Party power-brokers agree that Biden has served his purpose well in helping to push the United States closer to the brink of collapse, they agree that his advanced age may make it impossible for him to finish the job.

    “It’s a shame he’s so old because he’s done such a tremendous job of being awful,” said one party official. “We’ve never seen a leader with such an innate, natural gift for steering the country toward utter annihilation. It’s been truly impressive to see the horrific results he has achieved in just a few years. Unfortunately, he may not last long enough to finish it off.”

    Leading Democrats fear they may be forced to turn to a replacement to ensure the country’s demise. “There’s certainly a danger that the country will still be standing when President Biden leaves office,” said Jaime Harrison, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee. “He’s made a lot of progress in just one term in office, and we know a second term would be more than enough time to wipe the United States out of existence… but it looks like Joe’s just not going to make it.”

    At publishing time, after considering alternatives like Kamala Harris and Gavin Newsom, Democrats unanimously agreed that keeping Biden in office after his death would give them the best chance of achieving their ultimate goal.”

    Liked by 1 person

  13. “Awkward: Putin And Zelenskyy Both Show Up At Same Biden Rally”
    POLITICS · Feb 19, 2024 · BabylonBee.com

    DETROIT, MI — In a terribly awkward moment, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy both showed up to cheer at the same campaign rally for President Joe Biden.

    The two heads of state, their respective nations still locked in ongoing violent conflict, were shocked to run into each other at the event, where they both intended to show their support for another four years of Biden.

    “It was pretty painful,” said one Biden campaign staffer. “We were expecting endorsements from both of them, but I think someone really screwed up with scheduling because we didn’t intend for them to both be at the same rally. You could tell they didn’t really know what to say. Putin offered a handshake at the same time Zelenskyy was going in for a hug… we were all just cringing.”

    Putin was reportedly helping himself to some Doritos and lil’ smokies at the catering table backstage before the event when Zelenskyy arrived. “Putin? What are you doing here?” he is said to have asked.

    “Oh… uh… hello, Zelenskyy,” Putin reportedly replied. “So… how are things going with you?”

    The rally organizers attempted to spin the situation in the most positive way possible. “This is great!” one staffer said. “Just more proof of how Joe Biden brings everyone together. He’s such a uniter.”

    At publishing time, Putin and Zelenskyy had agreed to keep things civil and mutually endorse Biden for president as long as he promised to keep the Russia-Ukraine war going and the money flowing.

    Liked by 1 person

  22. I am adding a short daily prayer to the board. I would invite each of you, if you wish, to also add one or maybe two of your own liking. I do not want to stifle anyone but please limit yourself to one or two religious postings. here’s one I found that I liked.

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