Do you throw away those used tea bags? After reading this, you will never do that again!

Whether it is green tea, black tea, chamomile tea, or any other herbal tea, drinking a few cups daily provides many health benefits. Once we enjoy a cup of tasty tea, used tea bags often end up in the trash can. But did you know you can get many additional benefits from those little damp tea bags after you’ve had your tea?

Here are the amazing uses of used tea bags, and we bet that each of them will surely find its purpose in your home. After reading this, you will never throw used tea bags in the trash can.

How to get the most from used Tea Bags?

1. Treat Mild Acne

Used green tea bags can help protect and beautify your skin in a number of ways. In fact, they are one of the best home remedies for mild acne. The catechins in green tea have antibacterial properties that help fight acne-causing bacteria.

Put the used tea bag in cold water for a couple of minutes and apply it directly on the affected area for 5 to 10 minutes. The calming properties of the tea will have a positive impact on the area. You can expect a temporary calmness soon. Do this twice daily until you have acne-free skin.

2. Make Your Hair Shiny

Once you finish your tasty tea, you can treat your hair with used black or green tea bags to add shine to your dry and dull hair. The antioxidants in the tea promote hair growth as well as prevent common problems such as dry scalp and dandruff.

Rebrew 2 or 3 used tea bags in 2 cups of water and allow it to cool. After shampooing your hair, use the weak tea as a final hair rinse. Massage your scalp for 5 minutes, and then rinse your hair with plain water. Allow your hair to air-dry to enjoy smooth and shiny hair. Use this hair treatment 2 times a week.

You can also treat your hair with used chamomile tea bag bags – which are good hair lighteners. Rinsing your hair with these bags can also successfully remove dandruff from the scalp.

3. Exfoliate Your Skin

The slightly rough texture of the contents of used tea bags is great for exfoliating your skin. This helps get rid of dead skin cells, dirt, and other impurities. In addition, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help soothe your skin and give your skin an incredible glow.

Transfer the contents of 1 or 2 used green tea bags into a bowl. Add a little olive oil and honey to make a paste. Apply it on your face and neck and allow it to sit for 10 minutes. Gently apply the paste on your skin using circular motions before rinsing off with warm water. Use this facial scrub once or twice a week.

Peppermint tea bags can provide the best results for dry skin. Use a damp used peppermint tea bag to treat your elbows and knees and any other body part, which is usually drier and see the results.

4. Fight Aging Signs

Green tea has anti-aging and antioxidant properties that help improve your skin complexion and elasticity. It even delays the signs of skin aging, such as sagging skin, age spots, fine lines and wrinkles.

Transfer the contents of 2 used green tea bags into a bowl. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of raw honey and a little lemon juice to it. Apply it on your face and neck area and allow it to sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Then rinse it off with lukewarm water. Use this face mask once or twice a week. Note that this face mask may not be suitable for people with sensitive skin.

5. Treat Skin Problems

Do you have problems with the skin? Bruises, inflammation, redness, scratches and insect bites can be made less visible with the help of used teabags. They can also be used to treat skin diseases, wounds and minor skin irritations, such as cold sores or sunburns.

Tea contains tannin, which will remove the inflammation and irritation, reduce the redness and swelling.

Simply grab an old tea bag, put it in lukewarm water and then gently press against the affected area for 15 minutes. The tea bag will not only naturally relieve inflammation, but it will also speed up the healing process, without any side effects whatsoever.

The tannins in tea also help to kill the fungi responsible for fungal infections, thus helping to treat toenail fungus. Chill some used tea bags in the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes. Put the cold tea bags on the affected toenails for 15 minutes. Use this remedy 2 or 3 times daily until the infection clears up completely.

6. Soothe Puffy and Irritated Eyes

Tea bags can help soothe puffy and irritated eyes. Tea has anti-irritant and antioxidant properties that help reduce swelling around your eyes and relieve tiredness and inflammation. Furthermore, it helps restore the natural glow and spark of your eyes.

Used and chilled (keep in the refrigerator) tea bags act as a cold compressor on your eyelids, those who are suffering from dark circles can notice how the swelling is slowly fading away. This also works for those suffering redness in this area.

7. Eliminate Bad Breath

You can enjoy fresh, minty breath using a soothing and mild mouthwash made with peppermint and green tea bags. The antiseptic and antibacterial properties in these tea’s help fight bad bacteria in the mouth that cause bad breath.

Immerse 2 or 3 used tea bags in a cup of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes to brew a weak tea. Let the tea cool down and mix in a few drops of tea tree oil. Use it as a mouthwash 2 times a day to fight bad breath.

Green tea mouth rinse could also be an appropriate and effective choice for controlling pain associated with acute pericoronitis.

8. Protect Plants from Pests and Infections

Whether you grow plants in pots or lush green gardens, used tea bags can help keep pests and fungal infections at bay. Make a mild brew from your used tea bags. Allow it to cool and transfer the solution into a spray bottle. Spray it on the leaves of your indoor or garden plants.

As long as the bags are made of paper or muslin, rather than polypropylene, used tea bags can be composted to speed up the decomposition process in plant material. They also encourage friendly bacteria to grow, which helps to prevent fungal and pest problems. Collect your used bags in a jar and add them to your compost at your convenience.

These tea bags can also be used to feed the plants. The content of a used bag can be used as a powerful fertilizer. Simply place a few used teabags (opened) in the bottom of a pot. They help the soil retain water in addition to adding valuable nutrients to it. This is a great idea in case you plan to be leaving your home for a couple of days.

Get rid of bugs, rodents, and other vermin:

Spread the tea bags in places where pests, small rodents, spiders, and insects are observed at your home. The smell of tea scares them and, they will no longer appear there. For this purpose, mint tea bags are the best, because rats and bugs can’t stand mint.

10. Get rid of Smelly Shoes

Used tea bags can also be used to eliminate unpleasant odor from your shoes. Just leave the used tea bag in the shoe overnight and get rid of the unpleasant smell in the morning. It will soak the excess moisture and mustiness in itself. It is very important to keep your shoes in this way.

11. For Window Cleaning

The specific substances found in tea can easily remove the dirt and dust from your windows. Prepare a window cleaning solution by using used tea bag – Put the used tea bag in water to let it cool down and pour the content in a sprayer. Use it as a regular sprayer for window cleaning.

12. Help to Clean Dishes

How to clean the heavily soiled dishes without the use of chemicals and how not to waste time scouring hardened traces of food?

Soak the dishes during the night in a sink filled with water, and throw a bag of used tea in there. You will be able to clean all dirt and grease from the dishes in the morning, without any problems!

Tips and Tricks

Note that some teas contain toxins. The effects of these tea’s and their used bags are not very beneficial for your health. So, try to find organic and completely natural teas, which don’t contain any potentially harmful substances.

The best time to re-use these tea bags is right after you are finished with your tea. The moisture in the bag can attract bacteria and their use after a long time can bring some side effects. Storing them in a fridge is one of the most convenient and safe options.