Tea is the second most-consumed beverage in the world after water. If you are one of these huge tea drinkers, just like us, you produce a heap of used tea bags, and you’re probably throwing them in the bin after you had your delicious cup of tea.
But tea bags aren’t just a one-use item? There are a lot of amazing and healthy things you can do with your used tea bags. So read on and discover my family’s favorite ways to give used tea bags a second life.
Used Tea Bags & Personal Care
1. Improve Dark Circles Under Tired Eyes
Revitalize tired or puffy eyes by placing used tea bags on your eyes for about 15 minutes. This will also reduce dark circles under your eyes. For more natural remedies to lessen the appearance of dark circles, click here.
2. Soothe Canker Sores
Place used tea bags in the freezer until chilled. Once chilled place on the canker sore. The cold and healing compounds in the tea will soothe your sore and help it to heal faster.
3. Cool Down Sunburns (or Other Minor Burns)
Place a few wet used tea bags on the affected area to soothe and cool (sun)burns. For widespread burns, add tea bags to your bathwater and soak for 20 minutes.
4. Stop Bleeding
When you’re in the kitchen and have a cut, you can hold a tea bag saturated in hot water against the cut to stop the bleeding. The tannins in tea help clot the blood faster.
5. Heal Bruises
These same tannins constrict blood vessels to stop the blood flow that causes bruising.
6. Bleeding Gums
Soothe painful or bleeding gums by pressing a cool, wet tea bag directly on the affected areas.
ALSO READ: Health Benefits of Oil Pulling (+ How To Do It)
Find more amazing used tea bags uses below!
7. Soak Your Feet
Soak your feet in water with tea bags for 20 minutes to neutralize foot odors and nourish your skin. Make sure to use enough tea bags to make a strongly brewed foot soak.
ALSO READ: How To Treat Your Tired Feet With The Best Care
8. Soothe Skin Irritation
Cooled, wet tea bags are great to soothe skin irritations, and it speeds up healing as well. It works great to lessen the pain and itch from insect bites. Gently rub the tea bags over the affected area to find instant relief.
9. Condition Dry Hair
Tea works great to condition your hair. Use a quart (1 liter) of warm tea brewed from used teabags as a final rinse to give your hair a natural shine. Interested in DIY shampoo and conditioners, click here.
In and Around Your House
10. Meat tenderizer
The tannins in tea are natural meat tenderizer and add an extra flavor. Just add a cup of water with a brewed tea bag to the pan to cook delicious and tender meat.
11. De-greaser
Soak greasy dishes overnight in hot water with a few used tea bags. The tannins will break down the grease.
ALSO READ: Discover The Amazing All Natural Uses For Baking Soda
12. Renew Wood
Add a few used tea bags to a quart warm water. Steep and let it cool. Dip on a soft, clean cloth to clean hardwood floors or polish furniture.
13. Protect Plants From Fungi
Make a bucket of weak tea to water your plants. This will protect them from fungal infections. Another thing you can do is open up the used teabags and sprinkle the wet leaves around your plants to fertilize the soil and deter mice (they don’t like the smell of true teas). Especially your rose bushes will benefit from the extra tannins in the ground.
14. Clean Mirrors
Brew a pot of strong tea to clean mirrors or windows. Use a soft, dry, clean cloth afterward for a streak-free shine.
15. Compost Pile
Make a few cups of strong tea and add to your pile to enrich your compost and speed up the process.
FYI: Storing Tip
Used, moistened tea bags can be stored at room temperature for only one day. If you want to store them a bit longer, put them in the fridge to avoid mold and bacteria. If they smell funky, throw them away and use fresher bags.
Thanks for reading. I hope this information was helpful. Until next time!
Amy Goodrich
Crazy cat lady, life and food lover, certified biologist, and holistic health coach.
