4 Uses for Your Leftover Teabags

4 Uses for Your Leftover Teabags

We all tend to discard our used tea bags after brewing at least two cups with them. It’s the most mundane thing to do. But of course, we’d like to maximize our resources and generate a win from multiple situations. So, here are several uses for your leftover teabags:

For Skincare 

Skincare is all the craze right now, with people having extravagant multi-step routines. But little do people know; a little goes a long way, and there is no need to spend hundreds of dollars to achieve clear and glowing skin. 

• Under-eye relief
• Several factors contribute to your eyes’ puffiness, including allergies, excess sodium, and, most significantly, lack of sleep. You may remedy this by soaking two tea bags in warm water and letting them cool for a few minutes. The ideal teas used for eye treatments are green and black. These kinds of teas contain tannins and caffeine, which can shrink and tighten the skin, as well as antioxidants that give you that youthful glow. You may also opt to place the tea bags in the refrigerator first before placing them on each eye for 5 to 20 minutes. Both the cool tea bag and the contents in it will help get rid of your eyes’ puffiness. Do this often to see more visible results. Make sure to rinse your face after. 

• Facial treatment 
• Used loose leaf tea or the contents of used teabags mixed with a teaspoonful of honey can be used to exfoliate your face and body. Tea may help shrink visible pores and tighten the skin. In circular motions, gently apply the mixture onto your face. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

• Remedy for sunburns 
• Sunburns could be avoided using sunscreen, but skin sensitivity differs among people, and sometimes sunscreen isn’t enough. Using leftover teabags could reduce inflammation and remedy sunburns. 

Eliminating and Neutralizing Odors 

Tea leaves may help absorb odors without leaving any strong scents behind. You may use dry leftover teabags in your in a drawer or closet to leave them smelling better. Among all kinds of tea, green tea is the best kind to eliminate or neutralize foul odors.  

• In the fridge 
• Place several used green tea bags in a small, uncovered bowl in the fridge for at least three days. This would help eliminate unwanted smells in the refrigerator from stale food, pungent fish, or strong-flavored food. This is an effective hack. However, make sure that your fridge has just enough space to avoid overcrowding. 

• In your shoes and on your feet
• Place several dried leftover tea bags deep inside each pair of shoes and leave them there for a couple of days. If you have more dried tea bags, you may also opt to put them inside the shoe cabinet or box. You may also eliminate foot odors by soaking your feet in a mixture of leftover tea bags and some fresh mint leaves soaked in warm water. 

• On your carpet 
• You may also freshen up your carpet by taking the contents of a dried tea bag and mix it into at least a cup of baking soda, just enough for the areas of the rug you want to cover. Leave the carpet for at least 20 minutes, and then immediately vacuum your carpet. 

Cleaning and Polishing

Now that we’ve covered the ability of teabags to eliminate foul odors, of course, we could assume that teabags could help with cleaning up big-time messes. From dirty sinks to stained mirrors, you can rest assured that teabags could bring back their once pristine state. One unorthodox use for teabags is for polishing wood surfaces. A weak mixture of tea can be used to revive wooden pieces of furniture’s shine. Soak at least three teabags, preferably black tea, in warm water and let the liquid cool for a few minutes. Soak a soft rag or microfiber cloth in the solution and wring the liquid out., then wipe the surface of your chosen wooden furniture. Make sure that your furniture doesn’t turn out sticky after doing so. 

Fertilizing and Composting

Tea leaves and tea bags might aid in the decomposition of the organic wastes in your compost pile. So, if you’re into composting, maximize your resources by adding your leftover or used tea products to the pile. Your plants will thank you for it! Tea leaves are high in nutrients vital for plant growth, making them an excellent fertilizer. 

These are just some examples of what you could do to maximize the use of your leftover teabags. There are many more ways to do so. You just have to get creative! You may share with us your ideas and hacks on our Instagram and Twitter accounts @wittykoi.