How to Reuse Your Tea Bags for Beauty, Health, and Home
If you’re like most people, after steeping your tea, the bag goes straight to the trash or compost. But what if those little pouches still had life left in them? Used tea bags—especially when still slightly moist—can be repurposed in a variety of ways that support wellness, sustainability, and even a little beauty TLC. Whether you’re sipping green, black, chamomile, or herbal blends, don’t toss them—reuse them.
Pro Tip: Use pH-balanced water for each of the below use cases.
Here are 17 practical, healthful, and eco-conscious ways to reuse used tea bags.
1. Soothe Puffy Eyes and Dark Circles
Used tea bags are one of the oldest and most natural remedies for tired, puffy eyes. The caffeine in black and green tea constricts blood vessels and reduces swelling, while tannins help tighten skin. Chill the tea bags in the fridge, then apply to closed eyes for 10–15 minutes.
Study-backed: Caffeine and polyphenols have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that benefit skin health [1].
Use pH 6.0 Beauty Water
2. Calm Skin Irritations and Sunburn
Chamomile and green tea bags in particular can be applied to minor burns, sunburns, bug bites, or rashes to reduce inflammation. Simply steep, cool, and press gently against the affected area.
Clinical insight: Chamomile has long been recognized for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties [2].
Use pH 2.5 Strong Acidic Water
3. Make a Detox Bath Soak
Throw several used tea bags—especially herbal ones like peppermint, chamomile, lavender, or rooibos—into your next bath. The antioxidants and mild astringents in the leaves can help calm the skin and relax the body.
Extra tip: Green tea baths are commonly used in Japan for their soothing and antibacterial benefits [3].
Use pH 11.6 Alkaline Water
4. Freshen Up Your Breath
Don’t reach for commercial mouthwash. Instead, rebrew a used green or mint tea bag in a small cup of warm water and use it as a natural mouth rinse. The antibacterial properties of tea can help fight odor-causing bacteria [4].
Use pH 2.5 Strong Acidic Water
5. Add Shine to Hair
Rinse your hair with re-steeped black tea to help enhance shine and even darken brunette hair over time. Tannins also help tighten the scalp and can reduce excess oil. Just ensure you rinse thoroughly afterward.
Note: Not recommended for blonde hair—it may stain.
Use pH 6.0 Beauty Water
6. Deodorize Shoes and Gym Bags
Let used tea bags dry completely, then place them in shoes, gym bags, or even your car. The tea will absorb odors and moisture naturally. Black tea is especially effective due to its high tannin content.
Use pH 2.5 Strong Acidic Water
7. Feed Your Garden
Used tea bags are compostable and rich in nitrogen, which nourishes soil. You can tear open the bag and mix the leaves directly into your compost or bury whole bags (if they’re made from natural fibers) near plant roots for slow-release nutrients.
Gardener’s tip: Tea can help increase soil acidity—great for acid-loving plants like blueberries and roses.
Use pH 6.0 Beauty Water, also great for pets!
8. Polish Wood Surfaces
Rebrew a few black tea bags, let the liquid cool, and use it to clean and shine hardwood floors or furniture. The tannins add luster and help cut through grease. Use a soft cloth to apply and buff.
Use pH 6.0 Beauty Water
9. Clean Mirrors and Glass
Steep a couple of used tea bags in warm water, let it cool, and use the liquid in a spray bottle for a streak-free, chemical-free glass cleaner. The natural astringency cuts through grime.
Use pH 6.0 Beauty Water
10. Fertilize Houseplants
Place a used tea bag at the bottom of a potted plant before adding soil. It retains moisture, provides trace nutrients, and improves drainage.
Bonus: It can help deter fungus gnats due to its mild antimicrobial properties.
Use pH 6.0 Beauty Water
11. Revive Tired Feet
Steep a few used peppermint or green tea bags in a basin of warm water for an energizing foot soak. The astringent and antimicrobial effects can reduce foot odor and soften calluses.
Clinical data: Green tea foot baths have shown efficacy in reducing sweat and bacterial growth [5].
Use pH 2.5 Strong Acidic Water
12. Tenderize Meat Naturally
Black tea’s tannins act as a natural meat tenderizer. Steep used bags in hot water, cool the liquid, and marinate meat for a few hours before cooking. It adds a mild flavor and improves texture.
Make seltzer water in an at-home carbonator
13. Create a DIY Face Toner
Used green or chamomile tea bags can be steeped again in a small amount of water, cooled, and used as a facial toner. Apply with a cotton pad to reduce redness and tighten pores.
Skin science: Green tea polyphenols have been found beneficial for acne-prone and sensitive skin [6].
Use pH 2.5 Strong Acidic Water then rinse with 11.5 Alkaline Water
14. Reduce Razor Burn
Apply a cool, moist tea bag to razor burn or post-waxing irritation. The anti-inflammatory compounds in the tea help calm the skin and reduce redness and bumps.
Use pH 6.0 Beauty Water
15. Freshen Up Your Fridge
Dried used tea bags can be placed in a small dish or muslin pouch in the fridge to absorb unwanted odors. They act much like baking soda—without the mess.
Spray pH 11.5 Alkaline Water
16. Clean Greasy Dishes
The astringency of tea can help cut through stubborn grease. Drop a few used tea bags into a sink full of hot water and soak greasy pots or pans before scrubbing.
Spray pH 11.5 Alkaline Water
17. DIY Natural Dye
Used tea bags—especially from black or hibiscus tea—can be used to naturally dye paper, fabric, or even Easter eggs. It gives a soft, earthy tone and is completely non-toxic.
Historical note: Tea dyeing was popular in colonial America and remains favored by natural crafters today.
Spray pH 6.0 Beauty Water
How to Store Used Tea Bags for Later Use
If you’re not using them right away:
- Short-term: Place in a sealed container in the fridge. Use within 1–2 days to avoid mold.
- Long-term: Let dry completely and store in a paper bag or glass jar in a cool, dry spot.
Final Thoughts
Used tea bags are a zero-waste wellness staple. Whether you’re looking to save money, reduce waste, or enhance your self-care routine naturally, these 17 uses prove that even the humblest herbal remnants can serve a higher purpose. So the next time you sip your brew, think twice before you toss the bag—it still has work to do.
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References
- Koo, S. W., & Park, J. M. (2020). Green Tea Extract and Skin Health. Journal of the Korean Medical Association, 63(7), 410–416. https://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2020.63.7.410
- Srivastava, J. K., Shankar, E., & Gupta, S. (2010). Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with a bright future. Mol Med Report, 3(6), 895–901. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2010.377
- Chen, L., Mo, H., Zhao, L., Gao, W., Wang, S., & Cui, Y. (2017). Chemical composition and antioxidant activities of green tea infusion. Food Chemistry, 126(1), 44–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2017.01.078
- Hirasawa, M., & Takada, K. (2004). Multiple effects of green tea catechin on the antifungal activity of antimycotics against Candida albicans. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 53(2), 225–229. https://doi.org/10.1093/jac/dkh054
- Zeng, Y., et al. (2015). Effects of green tea foot baths on tinea pedis. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, 21(10), 759–763. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-015-2169-6
- Yoon, J. H., & Baek, J. H. (2013). Green tea polyphenols as a potential anti-acne agent. Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings, 15(1), 20–22. https://doi.org/10.1038/jidsymp.2011.15
