How To: 15 Clever Ways to Use Coffee Filters for More Than Just Java

Even if you've put aside your percolator and have gone the way of the pod coffeemaker, there are still dozens of ways to use your leftover coffee filters. Incredibly cheap, absorbent, and shaped with a ruffle, coffee filters are useful in the kitchen, garden, and around the house.

#1. Easy Sectional Bowl

Two or three coffee filters will easily transform a larger bowl into a snack tray or sectional dish.

#2. Tea Bags/Strainers

This is closer to their original purpose than anything else, but a coffee filter makes an excellent tea strainer. Simple place one on top of your mug and secure it with a rubber band. Put loose tea in the filter and pour hot water over it and into the mug. Voilà! It makes a perfect cup of tea. If you're feeling crafty, you can also make DIY tea bags with some string.

#3. Disposable Snack Bowls for Kids

If you have little ones at home, then the meal and snack routine can seem like it's on endless repeat. At about a penny a piece, using coffee filters as neat snack bowls from time to time are frugal and better for the environment than disposable plates. They're also perfectly portable for picnics and other on-the-go meals.

#4. Greasy Food Liners

Instead of paper towels, use a highly absorbent coffee filter to line the plate where you place your cooked bacon, fried chicken, or any other food that is rich in drippings. It'll soak up the excess grease and fat for a neater, healthier dish.

#5. Splatter Shields in the Microwave

Their shape makes them stay put when they are placed upside down, so keep some coffee filters by the microwave to use as splatter shields when heating up food in the microwave. You'll save paper towels in the process.

#6. Pretty, Frilly Cupcake Liners

Whether you ran out of cupcake liners or your just like the high-collar look of the ruffled filters, the result will be the same: eye-catching.

#7. Drip Catchers for Oil Bottles

No matter how hard you try, sometimes oil escapes even double-lidded bottles. Use a coffee filter or two as an apron for your oil bottles, and escape the dreaded greasy bottle scenario. (Paper towels work, too.)

#8. Screen Cleaners/Dusters

Coffee filters are lint-free, so they are perfect for cleaning laptop or tablet screens, smartphones, TVs, mirrors, and anything else in your house.

#9. Flower Pot Liners

Line the bottom of your flower pots with coffee filters to keep dirt in and let water flow out.

#10. Popsicle Drip Catchers

Say no to sticky fingers by sticking your kids' popsicle through the center of a coffee filter. It will catch all the inevitable drips and drops. (Cupcake liners and paper cups also work.)

#11. Delicate China Preservers

Stack delicate plates and bowls with coffee filters in between each of them. They don't add any bulk in storage but are strong enough to protect your fine china from scratches. Keep in mind that if you need extra protection, you can use four or five coffee filters to form a really thick layer.

#12. Face Oil Blotters

The original coffee filter was made from blotting platter, and the modern ones are still suited to the task. Cut some up and stash them in your purse to use as facial blotting papers when your glow turns into a full-on facial shine.

For more fun beauty DIY projects, learn how to make your own makeup remover wipes at home.

#13. DIY Dryer Sheets/Fabric Softener

Put some coffee filters in a mason jar filled with one cup of vinegar and 10 or so drops of essential oil. When you are doing laundry, wring one out and add it to each dryer load for fresh, static-free clothing.

Turns out you can also use coffee filters (plus vinegar, water, and hair conditioner) to make your own fabric softener, too. Being Happy has the deets.

#14. Strainers/Filters

Because coffee filters are supposed to let coffee run through them, they are porous and serve as excellent filters for other liquids. Use them to strain away sediment in wine or fats from soup. Check out the Yumiverse for an illustrated guide to more ways to repurpose coffee filters.

#15. Kids Crafts

Coffee filters are cheap, slightly translucent, and already have a pretty shape, so they are perfect for kids' crafts. Read on to learn how to make a tie-dyed coffee filter flower, a pretty snowflake, and coffee filter butterflies and flowers.