There’s more to those teabags than you might think.
In our first installment of the uses of used tea bags, I discussed how the tea bags we use can help with some of the negative side effects of minor injuries, and help with some body problems. But there is still much, much more our friendly tea bags can do. And in the age of recycling and not wasting anything, this is great, and can help us save money while we help save the planet!
Our second installment of the uses of used tea bags, we will discuss more of its cosmetic uses, and will add some practical uses, such quick cures, and uses beneficial to the household. Let’s take a look, shall we?
Do you have dry hair? Tea can actually help give the hair a natural shine and luster! Take your used tea bag and soak them in warm water, and let cool just before you take your bath. After shampooing your hair, take your cooled tea and use it as a final rinse for your hair. The tea’s natural ingredients, such as tannin, will add a luster to your hair. Other teas can have different effects as well, such as Chamomile tea, which when used in this manner can darken light hair, or dye graying hair. If you can afford it, use unused tea bags, but the tea bags from your afternoon tea can do just as well.
Tea can also benefit the face. After drinking a good cup of tea after work, save the tea bag for use after your evening wash. Place your used tea bag in warm water and let it cool, and soak a cloth into the tea. Use the wet cloth and wipe to the dry areas of the face, or other dry areas such as the knees and elbows. This moisturizes the skin, helping prevent the rough, dry feel. You can soak the tea bag and wrap a cloth around it as well, just be careful when you wipe or you’ll end up with a mess!
This technique can be adapted for a whole body bath. Save your tea bags and quickly dry them out in the sun after use, to stop them from rotting completely. Once you have a good number of dried tea bags, drop them in the bath tub the next time you soak. Its anti oxidants will rehydrate the skin of your entire body.
Want to feel fresh after drinking your afternoon mint tea? Why not reuse that recently used tea bag and soak it in another cup of warm water. But this time, add a half a teaspoon of salt in it. This helps alleviate toothaches, mouth inflammations, and can help prevent gingivitis. This, on top of giving you a fresh, clean breath. A wet tea bag can also be placed in an area where gums are bleeding, or in the area of a newly extracted tooth, to alleviate both the pain and the bleeding.
Speaking of fresh, do you have a cat? Kitty litter is always a pain in the butt to clean, let alone leave around the house, especially if your cat’s urine and poop have a pungent smell. To counter this, save your tea bags and dry them out in the sun. Once dry, break them open and mix the tea leaves in the new batch of kitty litter. The tea’s antibacterial features will help neutralize the odor.
And after washing a cast iron pot or pan, take a newly used tea bag and wipe the metal with it. The tannins of the tea creates a rust preventing layer in the pot, which can help save your kitchenware from rust and decay! Not to mention its anti-bacterial properties can add an additional level of clean that your soap and water might have missed.
So there you have our latest installment of the uses of used tea bags. Be sure to come back regularly for more tips!
[Ed. Note.: If you've missed our previous article, be sure to check out the first installment of the uses of used tea bags, and check out why a recommended brand of tea can provide you with both health benefits and practical tea bags to use!]
