1. It can be used to flavor your oats or pasta.
Before cooking your pasta, oats or rice, steep a couple bags of jasmine, green or chamomile tea in the water. Remove them just before you add the grains, to give a subtle flavour, while adding the nutritional benefits from the tea.
2. It can neutralize bad odors.
Stash used teabags in the fridge to zap unwanted odors. Dumping the contents of a used, dry teabag in a litter box or ashtray will also help remove bad smells.
3. It can deodorize smelly hands.
There are some smells that just don’t go away with soap. Get rid of pesky smells such as garlic or onion by scrubbing your hands with the contents of a used teabag. The antibacterial properties of the tea will leave your hands smelling nice and fresh in no time.
4. It can be used to create a relaxing, anti-aging bath.
Throw some used tea bags in your bath water. The smell will relax you, and the antioxidants in the tea will keep your skin glowing and youthful, by protecting it against free radicals.
5. It works great as an all-natural mouth wash.
Steep some green or peppermint tea, and let it cool to room temperature to create a natural mouthwash. This is the perfect alternative to alcohol-based mouthwashes that burn your mouth.
6. It works well as hair conditioner.
Rinse your hair with weak tea after washing like normal while massaging the scalp. You will find that this brings volume to otherwise lifeless hair!
7. It can soften and deodorize feet.
Using green tea, prepare yourself a foot soak. Once the water is a bearable temperature, soak your feet. The green tea is naturally antibacterial, and will get rid of any smell. Once the water gets cold, dump out the contents of the teabags and exfoliate for refreshed, soft feet.
8. It can minimize eye bags and dark circles.
Cool two teabags in the fridge for a few minutes. Lie down, and place the teabags over your eyes. Leave them on for at least 15 minutes to see the most noticeable results. Tea contains tannins, which will help constrict blood vessels around the eyes, reducing swelling.
9. It can minimize the appearance of bruises.
A similar idea to eye bags, the tannins in tea will help reduce swelling in bruises. Use cooled black teabags for maximum effect.
10. It works great as a glass or mirror cleaner.
Use damp teabags to scrub windows and mirrors. Tea contains compounds that help to break down grease and oil, leaving behind a crystal clear surface. Not to mention, it’s a much more natural alternative to chemical-filled cleaning sprays!
11. The amount you use can be doubled to make stronger tea.
This one may be obvious, but it is quite a handy tip if you like your tea on the strong side. When steep your tea, use one new teabag and one used teabag for extra tea flavor.
12. It works well as a DIY air freshener.
Take a dried out teabag, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, and voila! A natural and homemade air freshener that you can hang in your car, kitchen, bathroom, etc.
13. It can deter household pests.
Did you know that rodents hate the smell of tea? Place dry, used teabags in cupboards, closets and anywhere else to repel mice and rats. Add a few drops of peppermint oil to your teabags to repel spiders and ants as well!
14. It can be used to draw out infections.
Applying pre-brewed teabags to infections such as pink-eye, canker sores, blisters and warts can help reduce pain, draw out the infection and speed up the healing process.
15. It can be used to dye paper and cloth.
Steep some used teabags, and use the tea to give regular paper and fabric an aged, antique look. Sources: healthdigezt.com naturallivingideas.com Featured photo credit: Flickr via flickr.com
