#alternative uses

Here are 66 uses for the common coffee filter. I’m sure you can think of many more

Put a filter in the bottom of your flower pot containers, over the drainage holes. This keeps the soil from leaving the container while still allowing water to run through it.

Soak filters in brewed tea or even just plain water and chill. Fold them and use as a cold compress for puffy eyes.

Accordion fold a few coffee filters, cut into strips, and use as shipping material for fragile items. The unbleached kind make fun shredding material for hamsters.

A coffee filter is perfect for spreading oil or butter on a cooking pan since a coffee filter’s fibers won’t break off in your oils like a napkin’s would.

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 cook as normal.

Poke a hole in a filter and insert the stick of your popsicle. You now have a DIY popsicle drip collector!

Put the end of an ice cream cone in the center of a filter and wrap the filter around it for a drip-free ice cream cone wrapper.

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.

Use to line bamboo steamers.

Place a few tablespoons of baking soda 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.

You can also use them safely to clean computer monitors, television screens, and windows. They clean without leaving residue.

Cut up a stack of filters, place them in a small tin and you’ve got a set of face blotters perfect for your purse and last-minute shine control.

Make skirts for Barbies.

Good-quality coffee filters are made from 100 percent virgin paper, so you can use them to clean your glasses without leaving lint.

Line the bottom of cookie tins.

This is one of my favorites! Dampen a coffee filter with some white vinegar and a few drops of your favorite essential oil and use as a substitute for a dryer sheet. Your clothes will come out smelling fresh and the coffee filter reduces static.

Strain bacon drippings by pouring them through a coffee filter into a ceramic bowl or mug. The brown bits, grains, etc will stay in the filter. Also works well for recycling frying oil.

Kids food holders for Tacos, Hot Dogs, Pita Sandwiches, etc.

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.

A disposable “snack bowl” for popcorn, chips, 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.

Wrap jumbo dill pickles in coffee filters to prevent dripping when eating.

Use as a portable doggy food bowl.

Put flavorings (bay leaves, woody herb stems, etc.) in a coffee filter, tie with string, and stick in soup while cooking for quick and easy removal later.

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.

Changing diapers is bad enough, but toilet training kids on a potty is equally messy. Line the potty with a coffee filter so you can just lift out the number two and deposit in the toilet.

A coffee filter can hold small parts when working on vehicles, cleaning guns, or most any other project!

Coffee filters are fantastic for polishing leather shoes. Simply apply a dab of your favorite shoe polish and use the filter as an applicator.

A coffee filter will work well to de-silk an ear of corn. Dampen a filter and wipe it in one stroke from the top to the bottom of the shucked ear of corn.

Use as a mini cutting board for chopping (not slicing) one tomato, onion, etc.

Use a filter as an easy-to-tear backing for embroidering or appliquéing soft fabrics.

After you are done washing your cast-iron cookware, place a coffee filter in the bottom of the pan and it will absorb moisture and prevent rust.

Put a couple of coffee filters in your pocket when you are working outdoors or going on a hike. They work great to wipe sweat, dirt and oils off your face.

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…turn plain coffee filters into adorable painted place settings at your next get together.

If you have a small cut or even a razor nick, grab a piece off of a coffee filter and put it on with pressure to stop the bleeding. Your coffee filter will work similar to a styptic pencil but without the stinging.

Make a DIY action figure parachute

To sprout seeds, dampen a coffee filter, place seeds inside, fold it and place it into a zip-lock plastic bag.

Weigh chopped foods. Place chopped ingredients in a coffee filter on a kitchen scale.

Use to hold your turtles while cleaning the tank!

Keep in your car glove box for window cleaning, to use as napkins and for quick cleanups.

Since you have a package in the glove box anyway…..the next time you need to check the oil level in the car, use a filter to wipe the dipstick.

Use coffee filters in the bottom of the kitchen compost pot. It keeps messiness from sticking to the bottom of the pot, and goes right into the compost pile outside along with the pot of compost when emptied.

Can’t find corn husks? Use coffee filters as a replacement in Mexican tamales. Add filling and steam as usual.

If you have to strain your urine to capture a kidney stone so you can take it to your doctor for analysis, you can strain it through a white coffee filter. It is easy to see the sediment against the white background.

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.

To prevent holes in your clothes when wearing a pin, try putting a piece of coffee filter inside your clothing as a “stabilizer”. It makes the cloth sturdier and the pin is less likely to snag.

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.

Make a flavor packet to add to your sun tea. Take a filter and center the contents in the middle. Gather the edges, twist and tie with string. Drop into your jar along with tea bags and let it brew as usual.

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.

Filter wine when you break the cork

Wrap Christmas ornaments for storage

Coffee filters make great blotting paper for pressed flowers. Simply place the flower between two filters and put them inside of a phone book or any other object with weight.

Use them to remove fingernail polish when out of cotton balls.

Diffuse the flash on a camera.

Great in the tool room when separating nails and screws then use in to bottom of containers to remove moisture and prevent rust.

Make travel coffee bags out of coffee filters and dental floss.

Use as a “pre-filter” for your water purification system to help extend the life of your water filter.

Put a filter in the bottom of a metal fruit bowl to prevent brown spots on your fruits or vegetables.

Use to dry wine glasses and prevent water marks.