Tea lovers, rejoice! 21+ Genius Uses for used Tea Bags has a plethora of brilliant uses for your used tea bags. From cleaning to cooking and everything in between, these are the most creative ways to use those old tea bags you have lying around.
For many people around the world, tea bags are used one-time and then tossed in the trash. If you’re wondering what to do with used tea bags, you’ll love these genius teacycling ideas!
We’re going to share uses for tea bags that might blow your mind and open you up to a whole new world. Next time you finish brewing your favorite cup of tea, save that tea bag and repurpose it, or as we like to say, “TeaCycle” with one of these genius uses for used tea bags.
Genius Uses for used Tea Bags
Tea is considered to be one of the top beverages in the world. Whether you like it hot, iced, or sweetened, many agree, it is a tasty, refreshing, and very inexpensive drink.
Tea has been used for centuries as a health and beauty staple because it is very rich in antioxidants. It can be used to reduce inflammation, soothe, hydrate, and more, even when you reuse that old teabag. Keep reading to find out all the cool uses you can use for used tea bags.
1Feed Your Plants
Re-brew a used tea bag in 2 cups of water. Take that weak tea water and use it to water your plants to help protect against fungal infections. Or feel free to tear open the tea bag and sprinkle it around your flower beds (base of plants) to help add natural fertilizer to the soil and help deter pests.
2Easy Glass Cleaner
Soak several used tea bags in 3 cups of water in a small saucepan. Let them seep for 10 minutes, cool, and transfer the mixture into a spray bottle. Use the weak tea on windows, mirrors, and other glass surfaces to loosen dirt and grime, then wipe away with a lint-free cloth or a repurposed newspaper page (for a streak-free shine!).
3Tenderize Cheap Cuts of Meat
Place one cup of hot water and several used tea bags into a zip-locked baggie, add your choice of meat, seal and allow it to marinate overnight. The natural tannins in the tea act as a meat tenderizer whilst adding a bit of subtle flavor.
4Bug Bites
Use them as a cooling compress. Teabags can also be used as a cool compress for bug bites, bee stings, and skin irritations such as poison ivy or poison oak. Grab a used tea bag and run some cool water on it, squeeze out the remaining water, and apply to the bite area. This will reduce inflammation and the cooling will help soothe.
5Neutralize Odors In Home
Ever walk into your home to an odor that is lingering that is quite unpleasant? Take some used tea bags, then squeeze out all the excess water, and allow them to dry thoroughly. Then drop those tea bags in your trash bin. You can also sprinkle the dried tea leaves onto your carpet and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. Then vacuum like normal to help neutralize any odors.
6Mice Repellent
Take used dried teabags and tuck them into your pantry, cupboards, and even closets around your home. This will help keep mice from making their way into your home. To go an added route, add a few drops of peppermint essential oil to the tea bag, and it will help keep spiders away.
7Instant Sunburn Relief
This one may sound a bit strange, but we discovered that it works like a charm for instantly relieving sunburn pain.
8Shine Wood Surfaces
Re-brew old tea and use it to wipe down wood surfaces to add a darker stain to it and add shine.
9Draw Out Infection
One little known use for used teabags is drawing out infections such as pinkeye, canker sores, and fever blisters. Goldenseal tea works wonders on curing pinkeye quickly and painlessly! Moisten the pre-brewed tea bags with warm water, squeeze gently to remove the excess, and then apply directly to the affected area.
10Toothache Relief
If you have a tooth that is hurting, rinse your mouth with a cup of peppermint tea mixed with a pinch of salt. Swish this around in your mouth a few times throughout the day. It will help relieve the pain.
11De-grease Dirty Dishes
Take your dishes and soak in warm water, with a few used tea bags, this will help break up that grease. Let it sit for 15 minutes and then wash like normal. You can also use a heavy wet used teabag to wipe cooled grease off baking pans, then toss them in the rubbish bin.
12Soak Feet After A Long Day
Take a couple of used tea bags and soak them in warm water. Then dip your feet in and let it relax you and nourish your skin. If your feet are stinky it will help neutralize odors as well soften hard calluses.
13Wart Treatment
Place a used and cooled tea bag onto the wart and secure it with tape or a bandage. Then wait 15 minutes and replace it with another tea bag and soak for another 15 minutes. Do this at least once each day for a few days. The wart should turn black and fall off. The antioxidants in green tea work best as they inhibit wart growth.
14Bath Time
Simply toss in two bags of used tea into your bath. It will release antioxidants and help hydrate soften your skin and relax. I love to use peppermint, jasmine, or chamomile tea.
15Hair Shine Treatment
Before you hop in the shower pour the tea water onto your hair and let it soak for 10 minutes. Then wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner like normal, and you will find it leaves your hair super shiny, smooth and will nourish your hair.
16Small Cut
If you cut yourself shaving or have a minor cut, apply a tea bag to the cut and it should help stop the bleeding.
17Freshen Hands
After you handle onions or garlic, grab a used tea bag and rub it on your hands under running water, followed by washing your hands. It will help draw out those strong odors in your hands.
18Flavor Pasta
This is so unique but take a used tea bag, toss in the pot of boiling water, and remove the bag before you toss in your pasta or rice. It will add a little flavor to your pasta. I like to use green tea or jasmine.
19Fire Starter
Whether you want to start a fire outdoors or light up your fireplace, a tea bag can help. Squeeze out any excess water, and let the tea bag dry thoroughly. Then dip the tea bag in some melted wax (unscented) and let the excess wax drip off the teabag. Then when the tea bags harden, you can light them and they will burn really well. Toss in your sticks and let your fire burn.
20Facial Mask
Teabags can also be used as facial masks. The tea leaves will help to tighten the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Reuse them as an exfoliant. The tea leaves can be used to exfoliate the skin. This is a great way to get rid of dead skin cells and to keep the skin looking young and healthy.
21Remove Dark Circles under the Eyes
Use them to treat dark circles under the eyes. Teabags can also be used to treat dark circles under the eyes. The caffeine in the tea leaves will help reduce the inflammation and swelling that causes dark circles.
22Antiquing Paper
There are many different ways to antique paper. One of the easiest and most affordable ways to do it is by using old tea bags. To antique paper using tea bags, first, soak the tea bag in warm water for a few minutes. Then, place the paper you want to antique in a baking dish and pour the tea over it. View the full antiquing paper tutorial here.
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Tea bags can be reused for a variety of purposes, including exfoliating the skin, treating acne, reducing dark circles under the eyes, and as cooling compresses. They can also be used to antique paper or clean sponges. With all of these genius uses for used tea bags, there’s no reason you can’t get started teacycling!
