Hey there, viewers!
Few things are more relaxing than curling up with a nice cup of steaming hot tea.
But they generate one unfortunate side effect: an awful lot of waste in the form of used
tea bags.
And what do you do with them?
Well 99% of the time, throw them away.
While you may not like the idea of using the same bag, there are still plenty of other
uses for those little packets of damp leaves.
And in today’s video, we will tell you what they are.
From shining wood surfaces, getting rid of household odors, starting campfires and more,
watch until the end to learn about all of them.
Perk up your plants: Tea bags make a great organic fertilizer for plants that need rich,
acidic oil—such as roses and ferns.
The tannins and other nutrients present in tea can help stimulate their growth.
Place a few used tea bags over the drainage hole and across the bottom of a pot to help
your leafy greens keep moisture.
Used tea leaves mixed into the soil can also do the trick.
Do you love gardening?
What are your favorite flowers in the garden?
We would love to know in the comments section down below!
Under eye bags: Do you not get enough sleep?
Do you have dark bags under your eyes?
One cheap solution is to use tea bags for puffy eyes.
Just know that you have to do this often to see visible results.
You can use both green and black tea since they’re the best for eye treatments.
They have lots of caffeine and tannins that have the ability to shrink and tighten your
skin.
These teas are also rich in antioxidants that can soothe your skin as well.
Refrigerate tea bags until they're cool.
Just make sure they’re still damp.
Then place them under the eye for about 20 minutes.
Remove them and wash your face.
Shine wood surfaces: Used tea bags make a great polish for hardwood floors and wood
furniture.
This is because the tannins in black tea bring out that natural shine of wood.
Swipe a few used tea bags over wood surfaces, and then buff with a cloth to achieve a rich
shine.
It's important to note that the tea bags should be damp to avoid damaging the wood.
Create dye designs: Tea bags can bring a really nice tinge to paper and fabrics.
Place the wet tea bags randomly on paper or fabric, then let them dry.
For an overall dyed effect, place the paper or fabric on the bottom of a baking pan or
shallow container along with 10 to 12 used tea bags.
Then cover them with boiling water.
Let it stand overnight, then allow the dyed pieces to dry.
Repeat the process if you're hoping for a darker tone.
Black and green teas give off a brown or beige color.
Take grains to the next level: Tired of boring, flavorless rice?
Tea can boost the flavor profile of your grains without any extra salt or seasoning.
Simply place a leftover tea bag or two in the boiling pot of water and let it do its
thing.
Then cook rice or quinoa as usual.
Make a face scrub: When your face needs a little TLC, pop open a tea bag and exfoliate.
While tea is typically digested, it can also be used on the skin.
It is said to help shrink large pores and provide a healthy glow.
Simply pour the contents into a bowl and add 1 heaping teaspoon of honey.
Gently rub the mix onto your face in circular motions.
Let it sit for 5 minutes and then rinse it off with warm water.
Clean carpets and rugs: Use pre-brewed tea to clean and deodorize your floor coverings.
Store used tea bags in the refrigerator in a cup of water to keep them from spoiling.
That is until you have enough to cover the surface you want to clean.
Then open the used tea bags and let all of the leaves dry until they are damp.
Sprinkle the loose tea over rugs and carpets and leave them until they are totally dry.
Then vacuum them up or sweep the dried tea leaves away.
Get rid of household odors: Used tea is also great for removing lingering odors from your
home.
Mix dried, used tea leaves into cat litter.
Store pre-brewed tea bags in the refrigerator to keep them smelling fresh.
Drop a few dry used tea bags into the bottom of your trash bins to stop bad smells before
they escape into your kitchen.
These are just a few examples, but the possibilities are endless.
Scare away household pests: Mice don’t particularly like the smell of tea.
Tuck used tea bags into cupboards, pantries, or in any areas where these pests enter your
home.
For added protection, try saturating the bags with peppermint essential oil.
Not only will this fight off pesky rodents, it will also repel spiders and ants, while
at the same time making your home smell minty fresh.
Start a campfire: You can use your old tea bags to make a firestarter for your campfire.
Squeeze the water out of them and allow them to dry.
Once they’re dried, dip them in melted wax.
Arrange the wax-dipped bags on a piece of tin foil or parchment paper.
Once the wax has hardened, they’re ready to use.
They light quickly, burn brightly, and help you get a campfire going in no time.
Restore shine to your hair: You can use tea to make your hair shiny and smooth.
Use a couple of used tea bags for a strong tea, then allow it to cool.
Before a shower, pour it into your hair until it’s completely saturated.
Allow it to sit for about 10 minutes, then hop in the shower.
Shampoo and condition your hair as normal.
Your hair will thank you.
You don’t always have to reach out for expensive hair products.
You can get it by doing something as simple as eating the right foods.
To know what we’re talking about, watch our video discussing “18 Foods That Will
Give You Luscious Shiny Hair”
Now back to amazing ways to reuse tea bags.
Mouthwash: Tea is very helpful with fighting bad breath.
To make your own mouthwash, boil 2 to 3 cups of water, add in 1 teaspoon of fresh organic
mint leaves from a tea bag.
Then boil it for 20 seconds.
You can also add in cloves, rosemary and basil for more antibacterial properties.
After it boils, let it cool, and you’re ready to go.
You can strain it to remove the leaves.
Store in a sealed jar and it will stay that way for about a week.
Theoretically, any old tea bag can make a breath freshener, but the crispness of mint,
citrus or cinnamon is what we usually associate with fresh breath, so do what you want.
Face scrub: An antioxidant scrub which will leave your skin glowing.
This is amazing for those who have dull skin, and even fights acne.
All you need to do is set aside your used green tea bags and let them dry.
Then use these with a little water, and scrub away on your face.
Your skin will be glowing and healthy.
Fix a broken nail: Nothing can really fix a broken nail, but this can seal it for a
while.
This is a technique made famous by the iconic makeup artist Michelle Phan.
What you need to do is use a wet tea bag and place it on the broken nail for a bit.
Let it sit, and once you remove it, your nail will almost be as smooth.
Treat Sunburns: Did sunbathing on the terrace turn your skin red?
Black tea has tannins which reduce the pain from inflammation and green tea has polyphenols
which fight oxidative stress.
This makes both of them great for treating sunburns.
For the best results, pop the tea bags in the fridge before using them, so the cooling
effect helps reduce inflammation further.
Shine your shoes: If your dark leather loafers or boots are full of dirt and salt stains,
you can clean and polish them with a few damp tea bags.
Rub it over the leather in a circular motion, changing the bags out frequently to make sure
that you remove all dirt.
Finish by buffing your kicks dry with a clean, soft cloth.
Aromatherapy: You make yourself a cup of tea to unwind, so why not relax inside one?
Treat yourself to a little aromatherapy by saving up a few tea bags to throw in your
evening bath.
Be careful of darker teas as they may stain your bathtub.
However, floral teas, like jasmine and rose, or herbal teas, like peppermint and lavender,
will really help you.
Now that you know how tea bags have a wide variety of uses, there are other items in
your pantry that can be used around the house in more ways than one.
Confused?
Learn about 8 Apple Cider Vinegar Hacks You Need To Know
OR
How about 9 Baking Soda Hacks You Need To Know?
These 2 videos will definitely help you use these kitchen staples in a more efficient
and diverse manner.