Clever uses for tea bags
Drinking tea is a British tradition – and the humble tea bag can be found everywhere from the smallest cafés right up to Buckingham Palace.
While drinking tea is, of course, the best use of a tea bag, there’s plenty of other ways you can put tea bags to good use rather than throwing them in the bin.
Here’s our pick of the best clever uses for tea bags. Will you give any a go?
Boost your garden
Tea can be used to protect your plants from fungal infections and to deter garden pests. Rebrew a used tea bag, then water your plants using the weak tea. You can also fertilise the soil by sprinkling over with damp tea leaves.
Remove odours
Tea leaves are a great absorber of odours and can be used in a variety of clever ways. Mix dry tea leaves into your cat litter to neutralise smells, or store pre-brewed tea bags in the refrigerator to help keep it smelling fresh.
Create an air freshener
For the same reason, you can create a simple air freshener with a used tea bag. Add several drops of essential oils to a used tea bag and then leave wherever you’d like to add a fresh scent.
Deter mice
Mice don’t like the smell of tea, and you can deter them from entering well-known spots by placing a used tea bag anywhere they might enter your home.
Degrease the dishes
You can remove grease from your dishes without chemicals by leaving them to soak in warm water. Add one or two used teabags to the sink – it will help loosen any grease or food residue and cut down on the amount of time you spend scrubbing.
Soothe your skin
Tea bags can work to soothe your skin in a pinch. Cool, moist tea bags placed over the eyes will help reduce puffiness, while rubbing a tea wet tea bag over stings or bites will help draw out the toxins and reduce swelling.
Renew wood surfaces
Tea can act as a natural stain for wooden surfaces and help bring some of the lustre back to your favourite pieces. The weak tea made from a used tea bag is perfect to clean and shine hardwood floors and polish furniture.
Shine mirrors and windows
A rebrewed tea bag can help remove grime and stains found on windows and mirrors quickly and easily.
Do you know any clever uses for tea bags? Share your wisdom in the comments below!
Rachel - Silversurfers Assistant Editor
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