Tea of all varieties is delicious, and as most of us already know it’s also filled with health benefits. But did you know that there are benefits to utilizing your tea bag beyond the first cup?
For many people, tea bags are a one-use item. Then the used bag goes in the trash bin. You may not relish the idea of using the same bag to brew more than one cup of tea, there are still plenty of other uses for those little packets of damp tea leaves.
Read on and discover ten genius ways to reuse your old tea bags.
1. Relieve your tired eyes
Revitalize tired, achy, or puffy eyes. Soak two tea bags in warm water and place them over your closed eyes for 20 minutes. The tannins in the tea act to reduce puffiness and soothe tired eyes.2. Pamper your feet
Place the used tea bags in a large washing bowl full of warm water, pop your feet in and take 10. When you pull them out you'll have softer, more nourished skin, and fresh smelling tootsies.3. Treating Sunburns
Allow the tea bags to cool after steeping, and then place them on sunburns and minor burns (including razor burn) for relief. If the majority of your skin needs tending, brew a tea bath and submerge yourself in the cooled-off water.4. Acne
Ever get a pesky pimple at the exact wrong time? Soak a used black or green tea bag in warm water and apply to the affected area for 10 minutes. The tannins help to reduce swelling and decrease redness. Tea also has anti-microbial activity and one study found green tea extract to be particularly good for treating skin problems.5. Rescue cookware from rust
Black tea bags can actually keep rust from forming on pots and pans, thanks to tannins that prevent metals from oxidizing. Just rub a damp, used tea bag on the cookware surface after each wash, and you're good to go.6. Heal insect bites
Once again, tea comes to the rescue in soothing inflammation and pain this time associated with insect bites. You can use black or green tea bags, soaked in warm water and apply the water to the bites, or tape the tea bag directly on the bite for instant relief.7. Polish furniture
Brewed tea also can help clean and shine wood furniture. Dip a soft cloth in a small amount of tea, and use it to wipe down the tables, chairs and more.8. Fertilize roses
Spread used tea leaves around rosebushes, then add mulch and water. The tannic acid and other nutrients will benefit the plants.9. Cut the grease
If you've got a sink full of greasy dishes, fear not: Teabags can greatly reduce your scrubbing time. Fill that sink with warm water, add two or three used teabags, and let the mess sit overnight. The next morning, cleaning will be a lot easier.10. Help neutralize household odors
Tea bags are great for reducing smelly odors that are lingering in your home. Drip a few drops into the bottom of kitchen bins to neutralize bad smells, store used tea bags in a plastic container in the fridge to prevent wafts of smelly cheese when you open the door, and mix dried leaves from the bag in with your cat litter tray to keep feline smells at bay.11. Revitalize dry, damaged hair
All of us want the silky and lustrous hair that we see on the TV, but what's the secret to getting it? If you're sick of trying every product under the sun, why not give something more natural a go?
Save your day's tea bags and rebrew them. Use the solution after your shampoo to condition and nourish your hair and scalp.