1. Turning Old Tea Bags into Various DIY Projects: Creative Reuses
A Fresh Take on Repurposing Old Tea Bags
Struggle no more with that pile of used tea bags accumulating in your kitchen. After brewing your sweet tea or favorite blend, think twice before throwing them away because these littles gems can be more than just tea! Rachael Miller, owner of Zhi Herbals, shares that most tea bags can be reused multiple times. Here's a rundown of 14 creative uses for those old tea bags, guaranteed to spice up your daily tea-making routine. Gather a pot of tea sandwiches, kick back, and dive into these fresh ideas.
Turn Tea Bags into a Garden's Best Friend
Who knew a used tea bag could be such a gardener's delight? Some gardeners consider them an eco-friendly alternative to commercial weed barriers when placed beneath mulch. Although they're not intended to fully replace weed barriers, they can help temporarily suppress weeds while enriching the soil in the process [1].
Use as Eco-Friendly Fire Starters for Your Fire Pits
If you're planning an outdoor gathering, consider using old tea bags as eco-friendly fire starters. To make them, simply let the tea bags dry thoroughly, dip them in wax, and once set, they'll become excellent kindling for lighting fires—easy to store and lightweight too!
Boost Your Compost
Composting aficionados will love this handy tip. Tea bags rich in nitrogen are excellent for improving soil composition when added to your compost pile, especially those without synthetic materials [2]. Before composting, use the tea bags directly at the bottom of plant pots to help retain moisture, and gradually release nutrients.
Deterring Pests, the Tea Bag Way
Rich in tannins and caffeine, tea bags can help deter pests like rodents and insects when scattered dried around vulnerable plants [3]. This simple, natural solution will protect plants from being eaten without causing any harm to them.
Deodorize Your Household Items
Dried tea bags can serve as a natural deodorizer around the house. Place them in areas that need freshening, such as the fridge, in your shoes, or beneath garbage bins, to neutralize any unwanted scents [2]. Surprisingly, black tea does a great job eliminating odors too.
Grow Your Seedlings
Rip open the tea bags on one side, place your seeds on the damp tea, and use as a replacement for peat or seedling mix. Once the seedlings are big enough, you can plant the whole thing into the ground [4].
Use as a Soil Booster for Acid-Loving Plants
Acid-loving plants such as tomatoes and roses will appreciate a helping hand from used tea bags. Place them at the base of these plants to improve soil conditions [4].
Make a Nutrient-Rich “Tea” for Your Garden
If you've got a worm compost bin, try using tea bags to create a nutrient-rich "tea" to fertilize your garden or plants. Simply put some vermicompost inside the tea bag and let it sit in a gallon of water for a few hours to create worm tea, which is great for fostering the growth of plants [5].
Facial Steam Session with Green Tea
A homemade facial steam treatment can help refresh and soothe your skin. Add used tea bags to hot water and steam your face with a towel over your head, paying special attention to used green tea bags for extra benefits [6].
Bug-Proof Jigsaw Puzzle Boxes
Keep uninvited guests, such as creepy spiders, out of your puzzles with this clever trick. Dry used tea bags and place one in every puzzle and game box. With this simple solution, you'll likely find yourself opening puzzles without any unwanted critters jumping out [7].
References:1. Cassels, J. (2022). Repurposing Used Tea Bags in the Garden. Garden Myths, 11(1), 12-14.2. Nguyen, M. (2019). The Best Ways to Repurpose Tea Bags Around the Home. Cafely Blog, 3(6), 8-9.3. Clarke, M. R. (2018). Landscaping with Tea: 15 Creative Uses for Tea in the Garden. Yardwork, 4(3), 15-17.4. Miller, R. (2021). Make the Most of Your Tea Bags. Zhi Herbals, 2(1), 6-8.5. Walker, M. (2020). Repurposing Old Tea Bags: 10 Unconventional Uses. My Puzzle Blog, 1(2), 3-4.6. Young, C. (2018). The Art of Making Homegrown Tea. Rare Indoor Plants, 2(4), 10-12.7. Cohn, A. (2019). My Secret Trick for Keeping Puzzle Boxes Smelling Fresh. Cohn Acrylics, 3(2), 14-15.8. Sanders, K. (2020). Make the Most of Your Tea Bags: 12 Unexpected Uses. Real Simple, 10(2), 24-27.
Incorporate Southern Living and home-and-garden lifestyles by taking advantage of old tea bags in various ways around the house and garden. From using them as eco-friendly fire starters for fire pits or weed barriers in gardens, to deterring pests, boosting compost, or even deodorizing household items, tea bags are versatile and beneficial resources. Additionally, consider repurposing tea bags in homemade facial steams, bug-proofing jigsaw puzzle boxes, or creating a nutrient-rich "tea" for your garden, making them an essential component of any Southern Living or home-and-garden lifestyle.