You probably already know that a delicious cup of hot tea can help cure all sorts of ailments depending on what type of tea bag flavor you’re using. Not only are tea bags versatile when it comes to our bodies, but they can also be used in several other surprising ways besides making tea.
Did you know that tea bags strategically placed around your home can be used to keep mice away? And that’s not all! These are 13 unexpected uses for tea bags that you probably have never heard of.
Unexpected Uses for Tea Bags
When you use tea bags on hand at least now you’ll have several ways to use them!
1. Used as Inexpensive Air Fresheners
Tea Bags can act as natural air fresheners! If your home is starting to smell a little bit musty, try placing tea bags around the affected areas. The tea leaves will absorb the odors and leave your home smelling fresh and clean. After you’ve brewed a cup of tea with them, allow them to dry. Then add two or three drops of essential oils to them and hang them where needed.
2. Keep Your Flowers Fresh Longer
Have you ever noticed that cut flowers always seem to die so quickly? But did you know that tea bags can actually help prolong their life? Just add a few tea leaves to the water when setting up your vase and you’ll be surprised at how much longer your flowers will last.
3. Make Fabric Softener
If you’re looking for a more natural way to soften your clothes, try using tea bags! Just add a few tea bags to your final rinse cycle when you’re doing laundry and your clothes will come out soft and static-free. You can also add a few drops of lavender oil to the tea bags for a light, refreshing scent.
4. Freshen Up Your Garbage Can
No one likes a foul-smelling garbage can. But fortunately, there’s an easy fix for that. Just place an already-brewed tea bag or two at the bottom of your garbage can and it will help absorb any bad odors. You can also try hanging a tea bag from the inside of your garbage can lid to help keep things smelling fresh.
5. Prevent Mice from Entering Your Home
If you’re sick of dealing with mice in your home and don’t like the thought of using mouse traps, mint tea bags can come to your rescue! Mice don’t like the smell of mint or tea leaves, so it’s the perfect solution. The strong smell of tea leaves will deter mice from entering your home.
After they’ve been brewed, place a few mint tea bags around any areas where you think they might be getting in, and they’ll stay away. Adding a few drops of liquid dish detergent to your tea bags may also help.
6. Protects Your Garden Plants from Fungus
If you’re a gardener, you know that fungus can be a big issue at times. But did you know that tea bags can help prevent it? Just brew up a pot of tea and let the tea bags steep for a few minutes. Then remove the tea bags and allow them to cool.
Once they’re cool, water your plants with the tea. The tea leaves will help prevent fungus from growing on your plants.
7. Use as a Natural Fertilizer
Tea leaves are rich in nutrients, so they make excellent fertilizer for your plants. Just add used tea bags to your compost pile or mix them into the soil around your plants. It’s a much more affordable fertilizer if you’re on a tighter budget and your plants will certainly love you for it!
8. Relieves Swollen Gums
If you have swollen gums, try placing a used tea bag on the affected area for a few minutes. The tea leaves will help reduce inflammation and swelling. Just make sure the tea bag is not too hot before placing it on your gums.
9. Eliminates Smelly Shoes
Have you noticed a foul stench coming from your shoes lately? Tea bags can help with that! Just place a dry used tea bag or two in each shoe and let them sit overnight. The tea leaves will absorb the bad odors and leave your shoes smelling fresh and clean in the morning.
10. Clears Up Congestion
If you’re feeling congested, try placing a warm tea bag on your chest. The warmth and the steam will help loosen up any mucus and clear your congestion. You can also try placing a tea bag in a bowl of hot water and inhaling the steam. Just be careful not to get too close to the hot water so that you don’t get burned.
11. Deodorizes Your Fridge
If your fridge is starting to smell a little off, tea bags can help with that too! Just place a few used tea bags in your fridge and they’ll help absorb any bad odors. You can also try placing a tea bag on a plate of food that’s starting to go bad. The tea leaves will help prevent the food from spoiling as quickly. This is one of my favorite uses for tea bags.
12. Brings a Shine to Your Wood Surfaces
If you’re looking for a natural way to clean your wooden surfaces, tea bags can help. Just rub a used tea bag over the surface and the tea leaves will help remove any dirt or grime. The tea bag will also leave your wooden surfaces with a nice shine making them look brand new!
13. Tenderizes and Flavors Meat
This last one on my list may sound a bit ridiculous to some of you, but it’s true! Tea bags can be used to tenderize and flavor meat. Just place a tea bag in the water when you’re boiling or steaming meat. The tea leaves will help tenderize the meat and give it a subtle flavor. You can also try marinating your meat in tea before cooking it. Just brew up a pot of tea, let it cool, and then soak your meat in it for a few hours.
So, there you have it! These are just a few of the many surprising uses for tea bags. Who knew they could be so versatile? The next time you have a tea bag, don’t throw it away, instead, put it to good use!
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