Don’t throw out those old tea bags! Believe it or not, you can reuse tea bags both in and out of the kitchen. The natural tannins in tea contain soothing properties, and they can even help with household cleaning. Check out these tips and tricks to get the most out of your favorite teas.
1. Add flavor to rice or other grains
Add a tea bag to boiling water by hanging it from the side of the pot (a lid can help keep it in place).This will impart a gentle flavor to rice, barley, quinoa, or whatever other grains you choose.
2. Add them to the bath
The natural soothing properties of tea leaves can feel wonderful on the skin, as well as smell delightful. Relax in style with a hot bath, adding a jasmine or other floral tea bag
3. Infuse alcohol
Give your cocktails a twist by infusing spirits with the flavors of your favorite tea. Let a tea bag steep for fifteen minutes in the liquor of your choice, and enjoy the complex flavor it adds.
4. Wash stinky hands.
Some ingredients, like onions or garlic, can leave a scent on the hands that lingers for hours – even after washing thoroughly with soap and water. Rub a used tea bag over the skin before washing to quickly get out the smell.
5. Relieve eye bags
Green tea does wonders for soothing inflammation. Create your own green tea eye mask by soaking two green tea bags in warm water, then resting them on your closed eyelids.
6. Provide sunburn relief
Stay out in the sun too long? The tannins and antioxidants in tea can soothe irritated skin. Black tea is the highest in tannins, so try rubbing a used black tea bag along the sunburned area for a little relief.
7. Degrease pots and pans
We’ve all got that one pot that just won’t get clean. Luckily, tea can break up grease and loosen food. So soak your dishes in the sink with a few tea bags for a couple hours, and get those pots and pans sparkly clean.
8. Protect house plants from fungal disease
Chamomile tea is not just for bedtime. The mild, soothing tea is also effective at preventing fungal diseases in young plants. Soak a chamomile tea bag in cool water for 20 minutes, put the chamomile-infused water in a spray bottle, and mist the plants to keep them healthy.
9. Clean glass
Did you know you can make your own homemade glass cleaner with just a couple tea bags? Bring some water to a rolling boil, add a couple black tea bags, and let them steep for about 10 minutes. Once it’s cool, dip a paper towel into the tea and use it to clean glass surfaces.
