For centuries, tea has been a popular drink for relaxation and refreshment. From the popular tea cultures of both the Eastern and Western portions of the world emerged new ways of packing, brewing, and serving tea. And to this day, tea continues to fascinate avid tea drinkers, newbies, and health junkies all over.

But did you know that there are other amazing ways to use your tea leaves? Don’t throw away your used tea bags and loose tea leaves because here are nine surprising ways you can reuse them at home. 

Eye Relief

Tea is usually consumed for relaxation, health purposes, and for healthier skin. But don’t throw out your tea bags just yet. Use them as eye masks to reduce puffiness and dark circles under your eyes. Put your used tea bags in the fridge until they’re cool and damp. Place them under your eyes for twenty minutes and rinse your face after.

Black and green tea are recommended for this eye treatment at home because they contain caffeine and antioxidants that aid in shrinking the blood vessels under your eyes, tightening and soothing your skin.

Dye and Wood Stain

Create a tea dye from your old tea bags or loose leaves to give wooden surfaces such as your door, window frames, furniture, and flooring that rustic look. You may do this to pieces and parts of foreclosed properties to give them a new look and lease on life.

Exfoliant

Drinking tea isn’t the only way to have healthier and glowing skin. Cut open your tea bags or gather the used loose leaf tea from your infuser. Use them as an organic and affordable body scrub. You can also use this to gently exfoliate and brighten your face.

Repurposing used tea leaves as an exfoliator will save you money from buying expensive body scrubs. It’s also a sustainable way to have healthier skin.

Odor Neutralizer

Tea leaves are also a great neutralizer of foul odors at home. Put used tea bags in a container and place it in your fridge to keep it smelling fresh. Dump used tea bags into your garbage bin to absorb any foul odors. You can also put tea leaves on your cat’s litter box or on your dog’s pee pad to keep your home smelling clean and fresh. Make a mint tea foot bath to soothe your skin and absorb any embarrassing foot smells.

Air Freshener

Want to amp up the scent of your home? Dry your tea leaves and add them to your potpourri bowl to create a new and unique scent. You may also drop essential oils into your tea bags and hang them as cheap and natural alternatives for pine tree car fresheners. If the oil dries out, just add a few drops and use them again.

Home Spa

Take advantage of the antioxidants in tea leaves. Use the tea leaves to thoroughly scrub and clean your skin while relaxing in your own therapeutic bath and spa at home. Use mint, jasmine, and chamomile tea if you want a fragrant bath.

Wood Polish

Tea bags can also be used to polish and clean wood and glass surfaces. Rebrew the tea bags or loose leaves into a weak tea and soak a microfiber cloth in it to polish hardwood floors and wooden furniture. 

Use the same weak tea mixture to clean your windows, glass surfaces, and glass decor. This tea mixture is great for cleaning away any grime, fingerprints, and other dirt that have accumulated on them.

Compost and Mulch

Teabags can be used as compost. The material used to carry the tea leaves is made of muslin, which is compostable. Consider grinding them into a pulp and layer then on your topsoil. Other than being fertilizer, your used tea leaves also serve as mulch, a fragrant layer for your potted plants, and as a shield protecting your plants from fungi.

Degreaser

Having problems with stubborn grease? Old tea bags are great for dissolving grease and grime on your dishes. Soak your dishes in the hot tea mixture overnight. It should be easy to scrub and soap the grease away the next day. This is a perfect alternative if you have sensitive skin against dish soap and degreasing agents.

Tea helps you feel calm, refreshed, and relaxed. It is also great for having healthy skin, a fresh-smelling home, happy growing plants, and clean and sparkly surfaces. So don’t throw away your used tea leaves and discover how you can reuse them.