Used tea bags may belong in the trash, but if you don’t want them to go to waste, then these effective methods might be your cup of tea! soon, you’ll be saving up all those used ones you’ve got around the house. Who knew you could do so much with old tea bags, and used tea leaves?
IN THE KITCHEN:
a. for your meat: Meat tastes great when cooked the right way, but when not prepared properly, it can turn out bland, tough and unappetizing. Here’s one way of solving that problem: use tea bags (or even leftover tea) to marinade your meat. The sweetness of the drink will add a savory taste to your barbecue. marinate tough meat in black tea and it tenderizes it.
b. smoke it: add tea to a smoker to make tea-infused cheeses and meats.
c. boil eggs: Chinese like to add tea leaves to the water after the boiled eggs are cooked. They adds come flavor and color to the boiled eggs.
d. drinks: If you’re a health junkie, you’re definitely very much aware of the unpleasant effects of soft drink and alcoholic beverages on your body. To lessen the guilt of consuming these sinful drinks, you can substitute half of it with tea. Soak the used tea bag in hot or cold water again for a few minutes, then get the same amount of soft drink or alcoholic beverage and mix them together. There’s less calories and sugar, but the flavor will be improved.
CRAFTY:
a. ageing an item: Why do we throw away old tea bags immediately, in the first place? Because they stain! Leave it on a surface for too long, and expect a nasty unpleasant surprise. Well, why not use this to your advantage? Use old tea bags as alternative to commercial dyes. Make an item look antiqued.
b. dye fabrics: green and black tea can be used to dye fabric, paper and embroidery.
c. paint: some artists use strong black teas to pain backgrounds or accents on black and white sketches.
COMPOST: Here’s a great way to reuse all the old tea bags you have around the house: use them for your plants. Tea bags can be used as an organic fertilizer for potted house plants, with many stimulant benefits from the nutrients in the ingredients. You can even remove the bags and mix the tea leaves inside with your soil, helping absorb water and retaining moisture. If your problem is leaking bottom holes in the plant containers, you can use teabags to prevent the leakage. This also works well for hanging planters. spread around roses, the tannic acid and other nutrients will benefit the plant. Acid loving plants like ferns, citrus trees, and gardenias thrive when you add a little tea-spiked water to their soil.
CLEANING USES:
a.
remove grease and grime on mirrors, pots, and pans-simply rub a damp teabag on the glass or fill a spray bottle with brewed tea...it can remove stubborn grease
b.
Hardwood floors- black tea can help shine color of the hardwood flooring.
c.
linoleum- so why not use your old bags to make a cold brew, then use it as a cleaning solution? Mop your linoleum floors.
d. Clean your
kitchen counter tops with it as well.
e.
carpet- you sprinkle used green tea leaves on the carpet, let them sit for 10 minutes and then vacuum them.
f. unpai
nted wooden furniture- just make sure you wipe it thoroughly, so it won’t stain.
g.
Antique rugs- delicate Persian and Oriental rugs can benefit from sprinkling leaves on the carpet. Sprinkle nearly dry, used whole leaves on the rug and then gently sweep away.
h.
toilet stains- leave the tea in the toilet for several hours, flush the toilet, and brush the bowl.
i.
Fishy smells- rinse your hands with tea after eating or preparing fish
j.
De-stink the Frig- instead of baking soda, try used tea bags to absorb odors.
k.
De-stink cat litter- dry, green tea leaves can be mixed with the litter to help deodorize the litter smell.
l.
prevent fleas- sprinkle used tea leaves around the pets bedding.
m.
kill dust mites- carefully spray diluted black tea on the carpet to kill dust mites. *Color test the area first in a spot that won't be notices.
n.
Clean the fireplace- sprinkle wet tea leaves on fire place ashes while scooping them out, should help reduce the dust.
PERSONAL USES:
a.
Sunburn/acne/razor burns: Old tea bags can also be added to your bath, too! If you’ve got a bad case of acne, or if your skin is raw and red from tanning at the beach or razor burn, use the old tea bags to provide relief. Wash off the affected areas with cold tea made from used bags. After several applications, you’ll feel the cooling and calming effects.
b. For your eyes: Crying all night over a breakup can result in puffy and red eyes. While regular ice bags would work, a couple of tea bags can do the trick. Soak them in ice cold water then apply over your eyelids, as compresses. The tea will rejuvenate your face, removing the redness and puffiness after a while. This method also works for healing pink eye.
c. remove warts: Warts are icky and unsightly. There are numerous around the house items you can use to remove them. Old tea bags are one example. Soak them in hot water, then put over your wart for 20 to 30 minutes at a time. Make sure you dispose of the tea bag after using it on the wart. You can’t say it works as great (or as quick) as vinegar, but it’s worth a try!
d. dry poison ivy: dry a weepy poison ivy rash with strongly brewed tea. Dap on with a cotton ball, and let it air-dry.
e. Soothe blisters: hot tea bags are also rumored to draw out infections when left on fever blisters or canker sores.
f. drain boils: cover a boil with a wet tea bag overnight, and it should drain painlessly.
g. recover from injections: a wet teabag on an injection site can be soothing for babies and adults.
h. save a broken nail: to salvage a partially broken fingernail, use a piece of mesh tea bag to create a splint of sorts between the nail and the broken piece. coat with nail polish.
i. oral pain/bleeding gums: Got a canker sore? It can go away on its own, but if you want to quicken the healing process, soak a used tea bag, then bite down on it. The tea’s healing properties will soothe the pain and make the sore go away faster. This method also helps stop a pulled tooth from bleeding.
j. make a mouth wash: rinse with antiseptic peppermint tea and a little salt.
Peppermint is an antiseptic and contains menthol, which alleviates pain on contact with skin surfaces. To make peppermint tea, boil 1 TBSP fresh peppermint leaves in 1 cup water and steep for several minutes.
shine dry hair: brewed tea makes a good conditioner for dry hair. Rinse with unsweetened tea and leave dry for awhile, then rinse with water.
l. Dye hair: Steep 3 tea bags in 1 cup boiling water. Add 1 tablespoon each of rosemary and sage (either fresh or dried) and let it stand overnight before straining. To use, shampoo as usual, and then pour or spray the mixture on your hair, making sure to saturate it thoroughly. Take care not to stain clothes. Blot with a towel and do not rinse. It may take several treatments to achieve desired results.
m. Improve skin: try bathing in green tea, also a skin booster is chamomile tea in a facial steamer.
n. De-stink feet and soothe feet: Soak feet in a strong tea for 15-20 minutes gives them an antibacterial boost . black tea conquers bad odors.
o. heals warts: to help planters wart on feet heal faster, press a warm, wet tea bag onto the wart for 20 minutes a day.
p. improve breath: gargle with strong tea can help prevent halitosis.
q.get smarter: caffeinated teas have proven effects on mental alertness, but some traditional Chinese medicine practitioners' swear that tea leaves in pillows can help improve mental alertness. They say you awake more clear-headed and quick-thinking.
r. cure the common cold
s. prevent dizziness: back tea is said to reduce dizziness. Tea boosts blood pressure, reducing dizziness when you stand
t. facial toner: wipe a tea bag over your troubled zones and blot with a clean towel. the astringency in tea closes up sweat emitting pours and reduces the greasiness in our faces.
u. heals bruises: ruptured capillaries create bruises. Since tannins constrict blood vessels, they stop the leaking that causes the discoloration.
REFRESH YOUR PLACE: Tea bags soak in water, but they can also soak in the stuffy and stinky smell of shoes or closets. Place a few unwrapped and unused tea bags on a small platter, then put this inside the closet. If it’s shoes, place one bag in every shoe. Make a potpourri by adding dry herbal tea bags to potpourri or scented sachets (the tea may run out of flavor, but they still have a good scent). Likewise, you can freshen up your car. Place lavender or soothing herbal tea in a bag under the seat to fight odors.
REPEL MOSQUITOES: burning tea leaves is said to repel mosquitoes, with non of the side effects of chemical bug sprays.
STRENGTHEN PUPPY PADS: a foot bath with strong black tea is rumored to help strengthen the pads of dogs feet.
THANKS TO MY SOURCES:
http://lifehackery.com/2009/09/21/10-unique-uses-for-used-tea-bags/
http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2011/08/15/4-uses-for-tea/
http://www.divinecaroline.com/life-etc/home-food/sixteen-unique-uses-used-tea-bags
http://www.budgetsavvydiva.com/2013/05/diy-natural-foot-soak/
http://www.rd.com/home/22-ways-to-use-tea-for-beauty-home-and-garden/
