12 Unexpected Ways to Use Steeped Tea Bags Around the House

 Brewing a cup of tea is one of life's simple pleasures. But did you know that your little tea bag can do so much more than provide a warm and cozy beverage? Used tea bags have a variety of beneficial—and unexpected—uses around the house, even after you’re done steeping the perfect cup in your favorite mug.  

"Used tea bags shouldn't just be cast aside as soon as you've finished enjoying your tea," says Ken Doty, COO and Cleaning Expert at The Maids. “There are plenty of cleaning tasks that they can help support."

Instead of throwing tea bags straight in the trash, consider what else they might be able to accomplish for you. From helping scrub items in the kitchen and infusing scents into the air to assisting in the garden, these clever waste-reducing methods will leave you impressed by the tiny-yet-mighty tea bag. 

 

1. Simmering Potpourri

An easy way to make good use of a tea bag? Katie Burnett, head of product & marketing for Portland-based Smith Teamaker, suggests making stovetop potpourri to fill your home with warming aromas. "Try simmering sachets of chai alongside a couple of slices of orange and fresh ginger, or pair peppermint with other culinary herbs like rosemary alongside fresh lemon slices."


2. Degrease Dishes

Trying to clean greasy pots and pans? Doty suggests using tea bags to help do the dishes. Put dishes in a sink filled with water. Add a few used tea bags and let things soak for a few hours or overnight. “The tannic acid within the tea bags will break down the grease and remaining food scum,” he says.


3. Freshen Up the Fridge

Move over baking soda—we’re using tea! Tea bags can be used to soak up odors in the fridge. Place dried tea bags in a small bowl and cut a slit in each bag to open it up. The tea leaves will absorb the odors and leave your fridge smelling much better than it did before.


4. Composting and Gardening

Like the leaves from trees, tea leaves are beneficial for your garden. Burnett says some sachets are compostable, but breaking them open and spilling leaves directly on plants may be more helpful. The tea leaves add nutrients to your garden, whether adding them directly to the soil or incorporating them into your existing compost system for yard use.


5. Scrub Stuck-On Food

Nothing is worse than stubborn cheese baked on a pan. Tea bags can help! The tannic acid found in the tea will make cleaning stuck-on food much easier and the bag itself can act as a scrubber. “Simply rub the used tea bag directly on the stubborn food, and it will come right off,” says Doty.


6. Cleaning Glass and Mirrors

Since tea leaves help to break down grease and grime, they can be especially useful when it comes to cleaning glass like mirrors and windows. Boil water, add a few used black tea bags, and let them sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Once the mixture has cooled, use it as an all-natural glass cleaner.

7. Steep Yourself a Bath

Tea bags steep in water—so why not add a few to your next bath to infuse the water with cozy scents? “This is especially delightful with aromatic herbal infusions such as chamomile, peppermint, or rose,” says Burnett. “You'll benefit from the relaxing aromas and it's very easy to clean up.”


8. Make Natural Dye

“Tea has long been used as a natural dye and imparts a variety of colors depending on the style of tea, such as earthy browns from black teas or beautiful fuchsia from hibiscus infusions,” says Burnett. 

Steep the tea bags in boiling water to infuse color. The more sachets you use, the stronger the color will be. Use those homemade dyes for everything from t-shirts to napkins.


9. A Relaxing Eye Mask

There are plenty of benefits to drinking green tea—and those benefits carry on over to self-care department. Pop used green tea bags in the freezer to keep on hand to help reduce dark circles and puffiness around the eyes.

"I've been known to use them in the morning as a quick under-the-eyes 'depuff,' or to pop them on after a busy day of running around for a welcomed slice of relaxation," says Burnett.


10. Deodorize Rugs

Sprinkling baking soda over a rug to eliminate odors is a tried-and-true household trick. The same practice can be done with used tea bags. Cut open the dried sachet, sprinkle the tea leaves over the rug, and let them sit for 20 minutes. The tea leaves will help to absorb odors, and you can vacuum them right up afterward.

11. Infuse Alcohol

Love to get creative when it comes to cocktails? Tea bags can enhance the flavor of any spirit. Add a sachet to 8 ounces of gin, vodka, rum, and even tequila, and let it sit for four hours. The infusion will add complexity and dimension to your favorite cocktails. Burnett says she especially loves to add Earl Grey to gin to make an Earl Grey Bee’s Knees cocktail.

12. Get Crafty

Dried tea leaves can spruce up a variety of crafts and gifts, especially if you’re using full-leaf tea. “Most times, you can actually unfurl the entire leaf in your hand, witnessing the beauty of the plant where your tea came from,” says Burnett. Use the leaves for papermaking, candle making, decoupage, and more.

 
    
                                                                          

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