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Clever uses for tea bags

Drinking tea is a British tradition – and the humble tea bag can be found everywhere from the smallest cafés right up to Buckingham Palace.

While drinking tea is, of course, the best use of a tea bag, there’s plenty of other ways you can put tea bags to good use rather than throwing them in the bin.

Here’s our pick of the best clever uses for tea bags. Will you give any a go?

Boost your garden

Tea can be used to protect your plants from fungal infections and to deter garden pests. Rebrew a used tea bag, then water your plants using the weak tea. You can also fertilise the soil by sprinkling over with damp tea leaves.

Remove odours

Tea leaves are a great absorber of odours and can be used in a variety of clever ways. Mix dry tea leaves into your cat litter to neutralise smells, or store pre-brewed tea bags in the refrigerator to help keep it smelling fresh.

Create an air freshener

For the same reason, you can create a simple air freshener with a used tea bag. Add several drops of essential oils to a used tea bag and then leave wherever you’d like to add a fresh scent.

Deter mice

Mice don’t like the smell of tea, and you can deter them from entering well-known spots by placing a used tea bag anywhere they might enter your home.

Degrease the dishes

You can remove grease from your dishes without chemicals by leaving them to soak in warm water. Add one or two used teabags to the sink – it will help loosen any grease or food residue and cut down on the amount of time you spend scrubbing.

Soothe your skin

Tea bags can work to soothe your skin in a pinch. Cool, moist tea bags placed over the eyes will help reduce puffiness, while rubbing a tea wet tea bag over stings or bites will help draw out the toxins and reduce swelling.

Renew wood surfaces

Tea can act as a natural stain for wooden surfaces and help bring some of the lustre back to your favourite pieces. The weak tea made from a used tea bag is perfect to clean and shine hardwood floors and polish furniture.

Shine mirrors and windows

A rebrewed tea bag can help remove grime and stains found on windows and mirrors quickly and easily.

Do you know any clever uses for tea bags? Share your wisdom in the comments below!

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Rachel - Silversurfers Assistant Editor

Hello there! I’m Rachel and I’m the Assistant Editor for Silversurfers. I work behind the scenes to bring interesting, informative and entertaining subject matter to the Silversurfers community. I hope you enjoy the features we have shared with you. Please feel free to comment below and share your thoughts with us, we love to hear from you!

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