We’ve all reused a tea bag to make a second cup of tea (hey, it saves you a bit of money). But did you know you could use those tea bags as an all-natural home care ingredient? Here are a few ways to recycle those bags after you’ve had a hot cuppa.
1. Deodorize funky corners
Tea can act as a natural deodorizer. Cut up your used tea bags, and pour the loose leaves into a container to dry. Scatter these in potentially stinky spots around the house to neutralize the smell, such as the bottom of your trash bin, or in your cat’s litter box.
2. Make an all-natural pesticide
Tea can protect your houseplants from fungal disease (and the caffeine also helps repel insects). Make a weak brew from your used tea bags, let cool, and spritz with a sprayer onto the leaves and stems.
3. Use it to “soap up” in the kitchen
Have you just deboned a fish or crushed garlic? Get a used teabag and rub it over your hands to deodorize them, before moving on to real soap.
4. De-grease your pots and pans
Throw your greasy pots and pans into a basin of warm water with a bunch of tea bags. The solution will help loosen the grime and grease before you wash them.
5. Neutralize a stinky rug
Dry your used tea leaves, then scatter them around your area rug. Leave it for half an hour (or more) to absorb the smell, and then vacuum as usual.
6. Make an organic tub soak
Put several used tea bags in a mesh bag and toss them in your warm bath. The antioxidants are good for your skin, and the tea will give the water a soothing smell.
SOURCE: apartmenttherapy.com
This story originally appeared on Realliving.com.ph.
* Minor edits have been made by the Femalenetwork.com editors.
