Tea bags can do a lot more than a hot cup of tea. Even though teas can keep you relaxed, hydrated, and rejuvenated, they can actually be extremely useful around the house. Those methods are proven by cleaning professionals.
Keep reading to find out how to use these small bags of joy for cleaning, repairing things, and a lot more.
- Rust-proofing cast-iron pans – No matter how often you clean your cast-iron pans, rust may develop on their surface over time. Unfortunately, rust is not so easy to remove and if you love using them, you certainly want to try out this hack. Tea bags can, in fact, prevent rust from accumulating on your favourite cast-iron pan. First, wash and dry the pan as usual. When done, wipe it with a damp tea bag. This will prevent rust from accumulating thanks to the tannins in the tea. They will create an invisible protective layer all over the surface of the pot. This layer will prevent rust-causing oxidation. By doing this you will ensure that your cast-iron pans will remain like new.
- Stop a paper cut from bleeding – If you accidentally cut your finger on a piece of paper, or got a razor cut while shaving, used black tea bags will come to the rescue. Put a dampened tea bag directly on the cut. Hold it there for 30-60 seconds. The tannic acid in the tea promotes clotting and will soothe any pain.
- Tenderise beef with tea bags – Beef sometimes just remains somewhat tough, even when cooked slowly. If you spent hours waiting for your beef to cook but it still ended up being not as tender as you would like it to be, grab your tea box. Next time you are cooking beef and you want it nice and tender, steep 4-5 tea bags in water for 10-15 minutes. Combine the liquid with equal-parts double strength beef stock and add to your stew or roast. Tea has tenderising tannins that will break down the tough fibres of the beef. You will end up having a buttery-soft texture.
- Hydrate your houseplants – Whenever you are watering the plants at home, enlist the help of tea bags. Tuck 2-3 tea bags into the soil near the stem of your plants. Then, whenever you water your plants, the tea bags will absorb (and then slowly release) any extra liquid that will otherwise drain out. That way, you will ensure that your soil remains damp for twice as long. What is more, the tea bag will release fertilising nutrients into the soil.
- Rescue a broken nail quickly – If one of your fingernails is cracked and you do not want to cut it or are unable to file it, grab a tea bag and try sealing it with it. Cut a tiny piece of the tea bag’s netting (as big as the crack). Apply clear nail polish gel on top of the crack, then press the cutout piece over it. You can add another layer of nail polish on top of the tea bag piece.
- Ensure your clothes smell fresh – Sometimes simply cleaning your clothes is not enough to keep them smelling fresh for longer. If you want to add a nice fragrance to your wardrobe and clothes, potpourri is a great way to do that. However artificial fragrances can leave you with a headache. Instead, place a few teabags into each drawer or on your clothes shelves. This will leave a subtle, natural aroma.
- Add shine to wood furniture – Cleaning your dining table is sometimes not enough to keep it nice looking and shiny. Black tea bags are an inexpensive and natural way to spruce up your wooden furniture that has become dull over time. Steep 2-3 bags in a kettle filled with boiling water. Let the liquid inside cool down to room temperature, then dip a soft clean cloth in the solution and use it to clean the furniture. The tannins that tea contains will condition the wood and reveal a glossy, natural shine.
- Banish foot smell quickly – If you walk, hike, or do sport a lot, your feet will be sweaty often. That may end up causing them to smell. If you want to get rid of that unpleasant odour, tea bags will help you do just that. To do that, submerge 5 tea bags in a cup of hot water, then allow them to steep for 10 minutes. Pour the liquid into a basin and soak your feet in it for 30 minutes, then let them air dry. The tannic acid will kill odour-causing bacteria and dry out skin pores which will help prevent excessive perspiration.
- Shrink under eye puffiness and bags – If you sometimes wake up with puffy eyes and you have somewhere important to be, make your morning cup of tea and save a few bags for that next hack. Steep 2 tea bags in hot water for 5 minutes, then squeeze out the liquid. Let those bags cool down and place them on your closed eyes for 15 minutes.