BellaOnline Forums Food and Wine Tea Uses for used tea bags?

I saw this video today and was quite intrigued. Cleaning dishes, soothing insect bites, deodorizing shoes are uses for used tea bags I never would have thought of!

Since I generate a lot of used tea bags, I'm going to have to try some of these out. But probably not peppermint tea for keeping bugs out of the cupboard. I don't like it either. (Though I like mint tea made with fresh mint.)

So, tell me, what use do Forum readers make of used tea bags?

Dear Mona!

This is fabulous, I had not seen this video but everything that this AOL Contributor stated is true!

Tea is fabulous for many things other than drinking~ they are healthful inside our bodies and outside our bodies and then in our house! She touched on a few. I do have several articles about this type of subject about tea, and since my writings a few more "life hacks" if you will have shown up to make tea even more a versital product than ever!

Thank you for the fun video.

Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

You can lay the bags on your eyelids to reduce wrinnkles, soothe and relax.

Dear SherylT, Have you tried this? It does work~


Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

Yes. I drink a lot of tea so always have some soggy bags.

Dear SherylT,

That is good, I also have done a number of beauty articles that have much to do with used tea bags.

Tea is quite universal and can do so many things with it and the tea leaves (not to mention use of tea bag for even more tea)

Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

Dear Tea Readers,

Used tea bags in the garden,

Rebrew used tea bags in a bucket of water and then use the weak tea to water the plants, it will protect against fungal infections. Then open
the spent bags and spread at the base of the plants, it will fertilize soil and boost nutrients. Also deters pests.

Discard the spent bags into the compost pile. (please remove any staples if there are any)

Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

Oh wow, my aunt used to put the tea bag leaves into her plant pots in the house - she had the best plants.

I am going to brew a bunch tomorrow and do the eyes thingy!

Hello All,

What happens when the lady puts the tea bag into the sink with dishes? I am playing catch-up with this thread but can no longer access that video. Anyway.

Just make sure that you use USED tea bags or loose-leaf tea as for your containers and gardens because the acid will have been weakened by the first emersion. It is the same for coffee grounds in the garden - it also needs to be spent.

It would not be wise to go and buy loose tea for instance and spread it around your plants. As said above, it would be too acid for the roots etc.

My latest use for my used tea bags is to empty them and add them to my Bokashi composting bins. In about 6 weeks time they will come back to life in the form of gorgeous, rich, and wonderful organic compost.

For the Bokashi I just use the tea wet because you can, but for the garden, spread the soggy tea bags on some rocks in the sun (or something)to dry OR be careful to spread the tea leaves thinly ... you don't want the sogginess to turn into mouldiness. Please don't ask me how I know this!

I say yay for tea.

Cheers

Dear Allyson,

There is definitely something to it!

Thanks for reading!


Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

Dear Allyson,

Let me know how all the eye thingy's turned out!

Thanks

Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

Dear Lestie4containergardens,

Thanks again for this post!

Intriquing and a great use for used tea bags!


Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

Mary,

The tea bags do reduce the puffy look (I get lots of allergies)but the wrinkles...I think you would have to be more dedicated than I am to see signs of that. lol

Dear Allyson,

Sorry about the allergies, currently they are in "full bloom" if you will, here too.... I too suffer at the hands of them at this current writing I am rubbing (scratching) them! Ugh.

I'll search for some "wrinkle" stuff too~ haha remember laugh lines are beautiful~ Keep smiling dear and thank you for your imput!


Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor