Tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world after water, with around 3.7 billion cups of tea consumed every day globally. As tea bags are widely used, it leads to a considerable amount of waste. However, there are many benefits of used tea bags that we often overlook. In this article, we will explore some ways you can reuse used tea bags to make the most of them, while also helping the environment and saving money.
Fertilize Plants
Tea contains nitrogen, an essential nutrient for plant growth, which makes it an excellent organic fertilizer for acid-loving plants such as roses and ferns. The tannic acid in tea lowers the soil’s pH level and increases its acidity, making it ideal for these types of plants.
Marinate Meat
Used tea bags can add flavor and tenderness to meat when used as a marinade. The tannins in tea help break down proteins, making it easier to digest. This is particularly useful for people with sensitive stomachs. Try adding a few used tea bags to your next meat marinade, and notice the difference in taste and texture.
Repel Rodents and Insects
If you have a problem with pests in your home, used tea bags can help. Research suggests that minty fragrances can ward off mice, rats, spiders, and ants, and peppermint tea is particularly effective. Simply place a few used tea bags in corners of cupboards or on shelves and countertops to repel these bothersome creatures.
Shine and Polish Surfaces
You can use tea bags to clean and shine wood, leather, and metal surfaces. This is especially useful for cleaning older pieces that have been neglected over time. The tannins in tea can help bring out their natural beauty and restore them to their original condition, making them look new again. To clean an object, rub a moist tea bag on the surface and then wipe it with a damp sponge or cloth.
Soothe Insect Bites
Tea contains many antioxidants that work to heal and soothe irritated skin. When applied directly to the site of a sting or bite, it will reduce swelling, itching, and redness in just minutes. To soothe an insect bite, hold a damp tea bag on the affected area until it dries out. Repeat as often as necessary.
Relieve Achy Feet
A foot soak with used caffeinated tea bags can help relieve swollen and tired feet. The tannic acid found in the brew helps reduce swelling, while antioxidants reduce inflammation, and the caffeine stimulates blood flow to the area. This healing foot soak also helps neutralize odors and soften calluses for softer, healthier feet.
Reduce Puffy Eyes and Dark Circles
Puffy eyes and dark circles can be caused by lack of sleep, stress, dehydration, aging skin, and even allergies. Thankfully, a couple of tea bags can help reduce the appearance of puffy eyes and dark circles. Soak two tea bags in cold water and place them over your closed eyes for 15 minutes. Do this once or twice a day until you see the desired results.
Relieve Sunburn Pain
Applying wet tea bags to the affected area can help relieve sunburn pain by cooling down your skin. The anti-inflammatory properties of tannins in tea are shown to ease redness and inflammation and prevent peeling and itching. Remember this the next time you get a sunburn on your camping trip or island vacation.
Treat Razor Burn
If you’re prone to getting razor burn, a tea bag is a godsend. It cools down the skin and calms it without leaving behind any residue that might irritate or cause further inflammation. Apply some cooled tea bags to your face, gently pressing them into your skin, wait for a few minutes while they work their magic, and then rinse off. You’ll be amazed at how much calmer and smoother your face feels once you’re done with this quick treatment.
Clean Dirty Dishes
Used tea bags can help loosen food particles and cut through grease on surfaces like pots and pans, making it easier to get them clean. Simply fill the sink with hot water and add one or two used tea bags depending on how many dirty dishes need to be cleaned, and let them soak for 10 minutes. The tannic acids in the tea bags will help break down food particles and cut through grease, leaving your dishes sparkling clean.
Combat Garden Pests
If you have a garden, you know that pests and fungal infections can be a real problem for plants. Used green or white tea bags can be boiled in water to create a natural pesticide and fungicide. Spray this solution directly onto the plants to combat garden pests like aphids, slugs, and other bugs. The scent will prevent them from munching on your plants, and it will also help keep mold from growing on plants by destroying microorganisms that cause disease.
Banish Bad Odors
Tea bags are a natural deodorizer, so you can use them to freshen up shoes and other smelly items. They’re also great for getting rid of odors in the fridge. Simply place a used tea bag in the offending area and replace it every few days. You’ll be amazed at how well this works!
Treat Acne
Tea bags are very effective at reducing oil production on your skin, thus reducing the appearance of blemishes. Wet a used tea bag with water and apply it directly to the affected area, whether it’s your face or other body parts prone to breakouts such as your back or chest.
Enhance Bathwater
Adding used tea bags to your bathwater is an excellent way to use tea’s relaxing and healing properties. The tannins will help hydrate your skin and reduce inflammation from dryness, making it an ideal addition to your beauty routine. For an aromatherapy-like experience, add a few drops of rose or lavender essential oil.
Enrich Compost
Used tea bags can add moisture and aeration to your compost bin, making it an excellent addition to your composting routine. The leaves hold onto the water after brewing, which helps speed up the decomposition process by encouraging beneficial bacteria growth in your compost heap. You can also toss in used tea bags in your worm farm or other vermicomposting system.
Conclusion
In conclusion, used tea bags have many benefits beyond making a delicious cup of tea. They can be used in a variety of ways to help the environment, save money, and improve your daily life. Whether you’re looking to fertilize plants, marinate meat, repel pests, clean surfaces, soothe insect bites, relieve achy feet, reduce puffy eyes, or banish bad odors, used tea bags can do it all. So, before you throw away your next used tea bag, consider giving it a second life by trying one of these creative and practical ways to reuse it.
I drink chamomile tea every night and often find the dried out bags around the house. I now have a reason to keep them around. Actually, I think I’ll develop an organized system to keep them separated for specific uses!
I guess its true no matter how old we are we can learn something new and useful. While I did know a few of the ways to use tea bags some I was very surprised by. Thank you very much for this useful article.
Never thought I could do a whole lot with used tea bags. Thanks for sharing.
Open and add some to the soil of house plants – very good for then and the flavor or type doesn’t matter – plants and flowers will grow and look much better – I also open and add some around the base of outdoor plants – free fertilizer.
Mum and Dad drank lots of tea, and Mum always poured the cold leftover from the pot onto her plants.
I use teabags as firelighters for a barbeque. Just add dried teabags to a jar and fill with methylated spirits. Voila! Handy little firelighters. Pop a couple in the barbeque and light – just take care, though, because the flame is hard to see at first.