Teabags: 7 household remedies that show why you should never throw away a used teabag again
A nightly cup of tea is a comforting ritual, but the used tea bag doesn’t have to be trash. Learning to reuse them reveals a number of surprisingly handy household applications.
Firstly, black tea bags can provide skin relief. When cooled, they can be applied to sunburns, as the tannic acid content helps cool the skin and promote healing.
They are also effective for minor kitchen burns. Placing a cold, used black tea bag on the affected area can soothe pain and reduce inflammation thanks to its tannins.
For skin growths, green tea may be useful. Applying a cooled used bag to a wart for 15 minutes twice a day could help it shrink and disappear within days.
A common beauty trick is to use refrigerated tea bags to reduce under-eye puffiness. Placing a bag over each eye for a few minutes provides a refreshing lift.
In the kitchen, used tea bags can assist with cleaning. Adding a few to a sink of greasy dishes helps break down grime, making them easier to wash.
Finally, in the garden, they serve multiple purposes. Steeped tea can be mixed into a natural weed killer, while used bags buried near roots act as an effective fertilizer for plants like roses.