Are you a big tea drinker who likes to add some flavor and warmth to your day, but aren’t sure of the best way to recycle used tea bags? Don’t worry, we have 17 great tips for you! All types of teas can be recycled in some way, making it easy for anyone to reduce their impact on the environment. In this article, we are going to explore the different tricks to apply with your used tea bags. You will be stunned!!
Start by removing the used tea leaves from the bag before recycling, as this will prevent any mess when you use them again. You can use a metal colander or a spoon. Once the tea has been removed, you can set the bag aside for one of these great ideas:
Absorb moisture and preserve food.
Place used tea bags in the fridge or freezer to help pull out impurities from other foods like fruits and vegetables, which helps them last longer. You can also put them in your shoes after a long day of wearing them to help absorb the moisture and odors they contain.
Light the fire easily.
Tea bags are excellent fire starters, especially if they have been completely dried or lightly moistened with water beforehand. This can be useful on camping trips or just around your fireplace on chilly nights!
Make a work of art.
Create unique works of art using used tea bags as canvas – you can use paint or markers to create designs and patterns that reflect your style and personality!
Feed the plants.
You can also open a used, dry tea bag and sprinkle the contents into the soil of your potted plants to provide them with the nutrients they need, such as tannins, nitrogen and potassium, which promotes a healthy growth and flowering of flowers and foliage!
Add more flavor to dishes.
To enhance the flavor of your dishes, add a few dried tea leaves to soups and stews for a subtle yet distinctive taste that will add depth to any dish!
Enhance the smoky flavor of the grill.
Sprinkle a few dried tea leaves over hot coals when grilling meats for an extra smoky flavor that will make your dishes stand out at any gathering!
Eliminate unpleasant odors.
Use used tea bags as air fresheners by filling them with small sachets (or using individual dry tea bags) and placing them around closets, drawers or even cars to keep bad odors away without adding extra chemicals in the air !
Make a medley of your own!
Turn old tea bags into handmade potpourri by adding crushed flower petals, spices like cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, or ground nutmeg, and essential oils like oil of lavender, for a long-lasting aroma that everyone will enjoy!
Promote sleep.
Add powdered lavender to dried tea bags and put them in your pillows for a better quality of sleep and a high level of relaxation after a stressful day.
Relieve inflammation.
Put moistened sachets directly on insect bites, such as mosquito bites, for immediate relief – the tannins in the leaves will help soothe the itching caused by insect bites quickly!
Keep insects away.
Spread moist tea bags on surfaces where houseflies might linger. Their smell will prove to be irresistible enough to keep these pests away from where they are, without having to use any chemicals!
Prepare green juices and smoothies.
Put freshly brewed (but already chilled) green tea in ice cube trays before freezing – once solidified, these flavorful cubes can be added directly to smoothies or juices for an extra dose of antioxidants and refreshment!
Get rid of rodents.
Tea bags can be used to deter rodents from entering homes or gardens. Place a few used tea bags around areas where rodents might enter, such as doors and windows. The strong smell of the tea leaves will have a natural deterrent effect on them.
Prepare hair lotion at home.
Tea bags can also be used in hair lotion to help remove build-up from the scalp and hair shafts. Soak two or three used green or black tea bags in hot water for 5 minutes before pouring the mixture over your hair and rinsing thoroughly with cool water.
Make a natural and refreshing steam bath.
Did you know that indulging in a steam bath with an infusion of chamomile, peppermint or lavender is great for clearing clogged airways and reducing inflammation? Bring 1 liter of water to a boil and pour it into a basin before adding 3 or 4 used tea bags. Cover your head with a towel and start steaming!
Do a body scrub.
Green or black tea bags filled with salt make excellent body scrubs – just moisten the bag with warm water, then rub it into damp skin in circular motions before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Not only does this scrub make the skin smoother, but its antiseptic properties can even provide the skin with ultimate protection against environmental factors!
Slow the evaporation of candles.
Before throwing away old candles, put a used tea bag or two in their wax reservoir – this will slow evaporation and they will last longer the next time they are lit.