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It may come as a shock, but after drinking your tea, you don’t have to throw away the tea bags because they have a lot of uses that you may not be aware of.
In this article, you will get to know about the surprising things tea bags can do for you around the house. You can now start saving all your used tea bags for some awesome non-beauty uses and reduce waste in the process.
Tea As a Famous Beverage
Tea is a very commonly consumed beverage all around the world. It can be because of how easy it is to make a cup of tea using tea bags. All you have to do is put a tea bag in a cup of hot water.
The best part is that even though it takes only a few minutes to make tea, it is amazingly good. It is also no surprise that tea comes in a lot of varieties from green tea to peppermint tea. You can always try something new every day and indulge your taste buds according to your needs and desires. (1)
Non-Beauty Uses of Used Tea Bags
Here are some awesome non-beauty uses of used tea bags:
1. Refresh the refrigerator
A lot of times, you end up keeping leftover food in your refrigerator, which can spoil and emit bad and stinky odors inside.
To get rid of the bad smell, all you have to do is put three or four used tea bags in the fridge and leave them there for a while. They will mask the bad odors and make your fridge smell fresh. (2)
2. Use in cooking
Used tea bags can also be used in cooking because they still have some flavor in them that can enhance dishes and impart the nutritional benefits that come with tea. You can add the used tea bags when cooking pasta, oats, and rice and consume them as usual.
3. Freshens the air
Tea has a lot of benefits, and antibacterial properties are just one of them. This is why you can use it as an air freshener to give a nice aroma to your room while keeping things fresh.
You can add essential oil to your used and dried tea bag and hang it wherever you want. This is useful not only in your bedroom but also in your bathroom or car. (2)
4. Cleans leather
Making sure that your leather shoes remain clean and free from bad smells is important. This can be made easier with tea bags. All you have to do is rub your shoes with a tea bag in circular motions followed by a cleaning cloth for some shine.
5. Add to compost
Used tea bags are a great addition to your natural compost. They have nutrients and phytochemicals that will improve the quality of your soil, making the plants you grow healthy and strong. Tea also promotes the growth of good bacteria that are helpful in cultivation.
All you have to do is brew tea from your used tea bags, allow it to cool, and add the solution to your compost. (3)
6. Degrease dishes
Used tea bags can be further used to degrease dishes. This is because the phytochemicals present in the tea help get rid of grease, making it easier for you to wash your dishes.
Moreover, because of tea’s great odor, it’ll freshen up your sink or dishwasher and thus can be used as a deodorizer. (4)
All you have to do is soak your dishes in water and put some used tea bags in the same. Let them soak overnight and they’ll be ready the morning after to be cleaned in the easiest way possible.
7. Cleans wood and glass
You may have noticed that sometimes grease builds up on mirrors or wood furniture, losing its shine. This can be bothersome, but don’t worry, used tea bags contain tannins, which are known to easily eliminate grease and also add shine to mirrors and wood furniture.
Simply steep tea bags, and once the tea has cooled, use it to wipe the surfaces of your mirror and wooden items. (4)
8. Tenderize meat
Tea is a good meat tenderizer because it softens tough meat, and you can get a very juicy, nice dish at the end. Not only this, but it will also add a very unique and delicious flavor to your final masterpiece.
Take out the content from a used tea bag, steep it for a few minutes, and marinate your meat in this mixture. (5)
9. Remove rust
Any type of rust on tools or kitchenware can be cleaned with tea bags. Take some used tea bags and add them to water to make a strong tea. You can then soak your rusted item in this solution and rub it with a brush to get rid of the rust.
Reusing Used Tea Bags for Beauty and Hygiene
You may not be able to make another cup of really good tea with a used tea bag, but you can use it for a lot of other reasons because of the ingredients left in it. (6) This includes using it for:
- Dark circles
- Puffy eyes
- Minor burns
- Bad breath
Most-Asked Questions
Can I reuse my tea bag to make another cup of tea?
It is completely okay to reuse tea bags and make yourself another cup of tea, but you should know that this time your tea will have less flavor and strength. If you are someone who likes to drink tea that is not very strong, then this may work out for you. Otherwise, it’s not a good idea.
How can I preserve my used tea bags for other purposes?
When your tea bag is moist, you keep it in the fridge; if you keep it outside, it may be prone to mold or bacterial growth. However, it can still go bad if kept in the fridge for a long time, so it is better to use it within a couple of days.
If the used tea bag starts to smell, the best thing to do with it is to add it to your compost.
Final Word
It is always good to find ways to reuse things that still have a lot of beneficial components in them. The same goes for used tea bags. Although used tea bags may not give you another cup of strong tea, they can be used for a wide variety of things all around the house.
Now that you know how used tea bags can still come in handy for a lot of purposes, you may want to hold on to your tea bag after you are done drinking your cup of tea.
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