There’s nothing like a fresh cup of coffee in the morning—I always start my day with one. But when evening rolls around, I switch to tea.
You know the routine: boil some water, drop in your favorite tea bag, let it steep, then toss it in the trash.
But ever since my grandmother showed me a few tricks, I’ve stopped throwing them away.
Scroll down to discover some surprising ways to reuse old tea bags—you might save money and find a new favorite hack in the process!
1. Soothe Sunburns
Got a painful sunburn? A cold, used black tea bag can help.
The tannic acid in black tea promotes healing and provides a refreshing cooling effect, making it a great natural remedy for sunburns.
2. Relieve Minor Burns
The same tea bags that help with sunburns work wonders on minor burns, too. If you accidentally burn yourself while cooking, apply a cooled black tea bag to the affected area for instant relief.
3. Get Rid of Warts
Green tea is packed with antioxidants that may help shrink warts.
Simply place a cooled tea bag on the wart for 15 minutes, replace it with another, and repeat the process. After a few days, you may notice the wart disappearing!
4. Reduce Puffy Eyes
The caffeine and tannins in black tea can reduce swelling and refresh tired eyes. After brewing your tea, store the tea bags in the fridge. When needed, place them over your eyes for a relaxing, depuffing effect.
5. Remove Stubborn Grease Stains
Struggling with greasy dishes? Tea bags can help!
Fill your sink with warm water, toss in a few used tea bags, and let your dishes soak. The tea’s natural compounds break down grease, making cleanup much easier.
6. Natural Weed Killer
Tea isn’t just great for drinking—it can also help you tackle weeds.
Steep black tea in a mix of vinegar and citrus peels, then use the solution as a natural weed killer.
7. Fertilizer for Plants
Tea bags make an excellent addition to your garden. Compost them or bury them near your plants—roses, ferns, and houseplants love the nutrients they provide!
Have you tried any of these tea bag hacks before? Which one do you think you’ll use first? Let us know in the comments and share these clever tips with your friends!
