I am into recycling anything and everything I can. That includes scraps of food, etc. My latest venture has been into ways to reuse teabags after I have finished brewing my daily batch of tea.
While I already knew a few dozen ways to make use of tea, it has been fun discovering even more. Here are some of my favorites so far:
Teabags are great for helping treat cold sores. Just bite down on the damp bag for a few minutes and the pain of the sore will disperse.
My husband takes blood thinners so he bleeds a lot after having a tooth pulled. His dentist recommended that he suck on a damp teabag to slow down the bleeding. It works beautifully!
When I was small, my mother would place a wet teabag on top of any cuts, scrapes or minor burns I received in order to help alleviate the pain.
My dad put used teabags into warm water and soaked hid feet to remove unusually strong foot odor he got from wearing combat boots daily.
Many swear that gargling with weakened tea, along with honey or peppermint, helps relieve a sore throat.
I love green tea because it is rich in antioxidants. Consequently, I drink a lot of it. However, I am also aware of the fact that my skin can use those antioxidants to remain soft, supple and youthful looking. So when I’m done brewing my tea, I throw the teabags into my hot bath water. It not only soothes my normally dry skin but also makes it feel revitalized.
Wet teabags are also great for reducing eye puffiness. Cucumbers have nothing on them. Just rest for a few minutes with teabags on your closed eyes. The puffiness will disappear and your eyes will look bright and shining.
Refresh the skin on your face by simply patting wet bags where a pick me up is required. You’ll be amazed the difference this simple step will make.
As a redhead, I often got sunburned as a child. The burn would then blister painfully. To soothe the pain my mother would put damp teabags on my blisters. It worked and sometimes even kept my skin from pealing.
Chamomile tea is great for helping keep you calm but it is also a great for revitalizing the skin. Steam your face with water mixed with chamomile for skin that is youthful and glowing.
To keep beautiful highlights in brown hair, rinse it in weak tea prepared from used teabags. Let it sit on the hair for about 10 to 20 minutes and then use a clear water rinse to finish the job.
My sister uses teabags to wipe down antique furniture, restoring its original luster and shine. This is particularly good for certain types of lacquers.
Let teabags dry out thoroughly and then place them inside your cat’s litter. They will help absorb bacteria and odor, making the litter last longer than every before.
I learned this trick from my mother who never cooked with anything but cast iron. After washing and drying her cast iron skillet, she would rub it with a damp teabag. It turns out that the tea’s tannin helps keep rust away from the iron.
My dad also used teabags to remove burnt on food from pots and pans.
Clean your mirrors with damp teabags. The tea helps remove the worst of stains and leaves the mirror looking like new.
Teabags make good moth repellents to protect sweaters and the like. Just hang the dried out bag near the item to be protected and the moths will steer clear.
I like using tea to dye white fabric to give it an antique look and feel. Just place teabags in the water with the fabric and let it soak until you achieve the desired color. Rinse and dry and it is ready to go.
Many cultures cook with tea, adding it to foods, sauces and marinades. The acid in the tea is great for softening up tough meat before cooking.
Some people swear that tea can help remove warts. Just put damp teabags over the affected area for half and hour. Supposedly the tannins of the tea help to draw out the wart so it can be eliminated a few days later.
My grandfather saved teabags to use in the bottom of the most expensive plants he grew in the greenhouse. He said the nutrients of tea helped the flowers grow while the teabags helped to hold in water evenly so they never got too wet or dry.
My grandfather also used tea to jump start new seedlings and to encourage new grass to grow. He soaked both with a mixture of tea and water. The nutrients were helpful in getting the growing process to kick into high gear.
My grandmother used the tea from used bags in compost to make it rich in acid.
I perked up my roses by burying teabags underneath and around where they grow.
Add your favorite perfume or cologne to a dried teabag to make a unique sachet for your lingerie drawer.
While tea may be a favorite drink, that is hardly all it can be used for. It certainly isn’t necessary to waste a single drop.
RESOURCES:
Personal and family experiences
