Whether you’re a tea-drinker or not, chances are you have some sort of bagged tea in your cabinet. It just magically appears there after a bout of sickness or via a care package from Mom. Or perhaps you once dabbled in the art of DIY tea blends and you’re now stuck with empty tea bags galore. Whatever your case may be, we’re here to help spill some tea on tea bag-related crafts that will put those tea bags to use and help you declutter your pantry.
Tea bags have a variety of different uses outside of the obvious brewing and drinking tea. In fact, these handy tea tips might inspire you to go out and buy more tea bags, just to experiment. And don’t blame us if you happen to become a tea-lover along the way. You might want to apologize to your coffee maker now.
From beauty hacks to helping around the house, to recipes that will make your mouth water, tea bags can come in handy in every area of your life. So pull out that box of assorted teas and that Ziploc full of empty tea bags, and let’s start this extreme tea party.
1. Use bagged tea as a natural deodorizer.
According to OneGreenPlanet.org, tea leaves absorb any funky odors that may be lurking in your home. Use fresh or used bagged tea as a natural air freshener, or throw a couple tea bags into your gym bag to save your workout buddies in the locker room.
2. Or, make your own potpourri.
Like tea, potpourri is a mixture of herbs and dried flowers that can spice up any space with its floral fragrance. Throw together your own mix, or buy pre-made potpourri. You can make travel-size potpourri pouches using reusable tea bags to put in your car, bag, or to give as gifts.
3. Used green tea bags are your eyes’ best friends.
Green tea is revitalizing and can help relieve your tired, dark, or puffy eyes. Steep a couple of green tea bags in hot water and then throw them in the fridge to cool down and chill. Then, after a long day at work or when you wake up in the morning, toss the bags on your eyes for a few minutes to soothe and refresh.
4. Concoct a DIY bath soak.
Fill an empty homemade/reusable tea bag with herbs like lavender, rosemary, and stick cinnamon. Add your favorite bath salts or essential oils. Tie up the top and let the bag steep while you relax in a warm bath. You can also just throw some green tea bags in your bath for a quick little detox soak.
5. Damp tea bags can sooth insect bites.
Make yourself an arsenal of bug bite relievers by brewing up several bags of tea and keeping the used tea bags in your fridge. According to Dr. Rob Hicks via DailyMail.co.uk, the tannins (an organic substance present in plant tissue) in the tea reduce swelling and can not only help the redness of the bite, but also relieve the itch.
6. Steep a spray to keep the bugs at bay.
Brew up a weak pot of tea by only allowing the bag to steep for a minute or so. Put your weak tea into a spray bottle, and spray your indoor and outdoor plants to keep the bugs from munching on your greenery.
7. Used tea bags make for excellent seed starters.
Rather than planting seeds in cups of soil, Diane from Turning The Clock Back recommends using old tea bags to help your seeds get their roots. Once you have sprouts shooting from the used tea bags, you can plant the entire bag into the soil when it’s time to get growing.
8. Make horchata ice cream for this churro-inspired dessert.
You don’t have to use those DIY tea bags just for tea. Yum!
9. Infuse your own vodka.
You don’t necessarily need a reusable tea bag to infuse your own vodka. But to save yourself the step of straining later, put your ingredients for infusing (like mint, citrus rind, berries) into one or several tea bags and then dunk the bags into your vodka of choice. Let it sit for several days in order to achieve maximum deliciousness.
10. Create a natural dye for clothing or paper.
Depending on what color you’re hoping to achieve, fill a reusable tea bag with natural plants and flowers that will help you attain the hue you’re going for. For example, roses and lavender can result in a light pink dye, whereas blueberries and hibiscus will give you a shade of purple. Tea will dye fabrics and paper brown. Steep the tea bag in boiling water and then dunk in the fabric you’re intending to dye. To get the best results, leave the item in the hot water bath for a few hours before rinsing.
11. Fix a broken or cracked nail.
A small square cut from a disposable tea bag can actually help to fuse a split nail back together. Use nail glue or a clear nail polish to attach the bit of tea bag to your nail and then apply a clear coat of polish over the top. Presto!
12. Keep your home free from pests.
Mice dislike the scent of tea and they detest the smell of peppermint. Use this knowledge to your advantage and brew up a few bags of peppermint tea (or add drops of peppermint essential oil to your tea brew). Place the used bags in areas of your home where mice frequent and they’ll think again before moving in.
13. Get rid of grease in your kitchen.
According to MorningChores.com, used tea bags can easily remove oily fingerprints on glass surfaces and can even rid grease from your stovetop. Rub your greasy surface with a few tea bags and then wipe clean with a damp cloth.
If you have any tips for using your extra tea bags, please feel free to spill the tea and share your knowledge.
