There’s something unmistakably comforting about that first cup of coffee in the morning — a ritual that sets the tone for the day. But when evening rolls in, I tend to reach for a different kind of warmth: a simple cup of tea.
The process is familiar to anyone who enjoys a nightly brew. You fill the kettle, wait for the whistle or the click, then pour the water and drop in your go-to tea bag. After a few minutes of steeping, you remove the bag, toss it into the bin, and settle in with your drink.
At least, that’s what I used to do. But everything changed the day my grandmother shared a handful of clever, old-fashioned tricks that gave those discarded tea bags a second life. Since then, not a single one has gone to waste.
Scroll down to discover these unexpectedly useful ideas for repurposing used tea bags. They’re practical, surprisingly effective — and might even save you a bit of money over time.
1. Soothe sunburns
Take a black tea bag and rinse it under cold water.
When summer heat or a trip abroad leaves you with a sunburn, this little packet becomes an unlikely lifesaver. The tannic acid found in black tea helps calm irritated skin, promoting healing while providing a long-lasting cooling sensation.
2. Relieve minor burns
The same tea bags that bring relief to sunburns can also help in those sudden, accidental moments when you brush against a hot pan or spill boiling water. Simply place a used black tea bag on the affected area. The tannins in black tea help calm the skin and ease the sting of minor burns.
3. Get rid of warts
Here’s a surprising remedy you may not have heard of: green tea’s antioxidants can help prevent warts from developing further. Once a used tea bag has cooled, place it directly on the wart. After 15 minutes, remove it and replace it with a fresh, cooled tea bag for another 15 minutes. With a bit of patience, the wart should naturally fall off within a few days.
4. Put an end to puffy eyes
Those same tannins in black tea also work wonders on tired, puffy under-eyes. Instead of tossing your used tea bags, store them in a small container and keep them in the refrigerator for a day or two. When your eyes need a little extra care, simply take out a couple of chilled tea bags and let them work their soothing magic.
5. Remove grease stains
If you often leave dishes to soak because of stubborn, stuck-on grease, here’s a simple trick worth trying. Fill your sink with warm water and the dirty dishes, then drop in a few used tea bags. The natural compounds in the tea help break down grease, making those tough stains far easier to scrub away.
6. Weed killer
A simple tea bag can be transformed into an effective, natural weed-killing solution. Gardeners often apply brewed black tea directly onto unwanted growth, or create a homemade mixture using citrus — such as orange or grapefruit — combined with tea and water. Another popular method, highlighted by Tip Hero, involves steeping black tea in a jar of vinegar with orange rind to produce a potent spray for targeting weeds.
7. Fertilizer
Tea doesn’t just nourish people — it can also nourish plants. Used tea bags can go straight into the compost bin as fertilizer, and loose-leaf teas or compostable bags can be mixed directly into soil. Roses, houseplants, and garden varieties like ferns respond particularly well. Many gardeners simply dig used tea bags or leaves into the soil around their plants, allowing the nutrients to enrich the root system and promote healthier growth.
Have you ever used tea to boost your green thumb? Which of these tricks would you try?
Tell us in the comments and don’t hesitate to share these awesome household remedies with your friends and loved ones on Facebook!
