12 Clever Ways to Reuse Steeped Tea Bags Around Your Home

Stove-Top Potpourri

Instead of chemical fragrances, you can naturally scent your home with the help of tea bags. Katie Burnett, head of product & marketing for Portland-based Smith Teamaker, suggests making stovetop potpourri to fill your home with customizable aromas.

"Try simmering sachets of chai alongside a couple of slices of orange and fresh ginger, or pair peppermint with other culinary herbs like rosemary alongside fresh lemon slices," she says.

Degrease Dishes

Cleaning greasy pots and pans is far less relaxing than sipping a nice cup of tea—but you can combine the two activities to simplify the former. Surprisingly, tea bags can be used as a degreaser, says Doty. "The tannic acid within the tea bags will break down the grease and remaining food scum," he says.

Freshen Up the Fridge

The baking soda method is a tried-and-true way to prevent fridge odors—but tea bags can also be effective. Place dried tea bags in a small bowl and cut a slit in each bag to open it up. The tea leaves will absorb the odors and leave your fridge smelling much better than it did before.

Composting and Gardening

Burnett says that some tea bags are compostable, and their leaves are beneficial for your garden. If you're unsure about the composition of the bag, you can break it open and spill the leaves directly in the dirt. The tea leaves will add nutrients to your garden, whether adding them to the soil or incorporating them into your existing compost system for yard use.

Scrub Stuck-On Food

Stubborn cheese baked on a pan is the worst part of homemade nachos. Tea bags to the rescue! The tannic acid found in the tea will make cleaning stuck-on food much easier and the bag itself can act as a scrubber. “Simply rub the used tea bag directly on the stubborn food, and it will come right off,” says Doty.

Give Glass and Mirrors a Streak-Free Shine

Since tea leaves help to break down grease and grime, they can be especially useful when it comes to cleaning glass like mirrors and windows. DIY your own all-natural glass cleaner using previously steeped tea bags. Boil water, add a few used black tea bags, and let them sit for 10 to 15 minutes. The tea-infused glass cleaner can be applied once cooled.

Steep Yourself a Soothing Bath

Just like the hot water in your favorite mug, your bath water can be infused with tea. Steep a few bags the next time you draw yourself a bath. “This is especially delightful with aromatic herbal infusions such as chamomile, peppermint, or rose,” says Burnett. “You'll benefit from the relaxing aromas, and it's very easy to clean up.”

Create Craft and Fabric Dye

“Tea has long been used as a natural dye and imparts a variety of colors depending on the style of tea, such as earthy browns from black teas or beautiful fuchsia from hibiscus infusions,” shares Burnett. 

Steep the tea bags in boiling water to infuse color. The more sachets you use, the stronger the color will be. Use those homemade dyes for everything from t-shirts to napkins.

DIY a Relaxing Eye Mask

Slowing down to enjoy a comforting cup of tea is a self-care activity in itself—but you can take it to the next level by reusing the tea bags post-cuppa. Pop used green tea bags in the freezer to keep on hand to help reduce dark circles and puffiness around the eyes.

"I've been known to use them in the morning as a quick under-the-eyes 'depuff' or to pop them on after a busy day of running around for a welcomed slice of relaxation," says Burnett.

Deodorize Rugs and Carpeting

Sprinkling baking soda over a rug to eliminate odors is a well-known household trick—but did you know that the same method can be performed with tea bags?

Cut open the dried sachet, sprinkle the tea leaves over the rug, and let them sit for 20 minutes. The tea leaves will help to absorb odors, and you can vacuum them right up afterward.

Infuse Alcohol

Love to play bartender? Enhance your cocktail game without the use of those sickly sweet store-bought syrups. Add a sachet of tea to 8 ounces of gin, vodka, rum, or tequila, and let it sit for four hours. The liquor will become infused with flavors of the tea, adding complexity and dimension to your favorite cocktails. Burnett says she especially loves to add Earl Grey to gin to make an Earl Grey Bee’s Knees cocktail.

Get Crafty

As with everything, don't be afraid to get creative. Dried tea leaves can spruce up a variety of crafts and gifts, adds Burnett, including paper-making, candle-making, and découpage.

Learn how to make a basic poured candles , and then consider mixing in tea leaves for added scent and texture. You can also use tea to tint and age stationery and scrapbooking materials.