How to Use Leftover Tea Leaves

After enjoying a cup of tea, the used tea leaves pose a dilemma. Throwing them away is wasteful, but using them again results in a weak, stale-tasting cup of tea. But, tea leaves do not have to be used for making tea. You can use tea leaves in a variety of ways around the house and never waste them again.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. Use tea leaves to dehumidify an area of your house. First, place the leaves outside in the hot sun to dry. Then, bring them back inside and place them in the area you want to dehumidify, such as by a favorite chair or by a cactus.

2. Get rid of odors in the refrigerator. After sun-drying the used tea leaves, place them in an uncovered bowl in the refrigerator. The used leaves absorb odors.

3. Fertilize plants. Used tea leaves are rich in organic nutrients plants need. Let the tea leaves soak in water for several days, strain the leaves and pour the water into plants. Be sure to strain all the tea leaves because moist, rotten tea leaves can attract harmful bugs.

4. Repel mosquitoes. Dry the used tea leaves and then burn them in an incense burner. The smoke and scent keeps mosquitoes away.

5. Clean floors with used tea leaves. Slightly moisten the tea leaves and then sprinkle them on the floor. The leaves attract dust. Vacuum up the leaves to remove the dust.

6. Wash feet with tea leaves. Place the leaves in warm water and soak your feet. The warm water not only relaxes your feet, the tea leaves cure smelly feet.

7. Rinse your mouth out with a brew of used tea leaves to freshen your breath after a meal. Used tea leaves are not ideal for drinking tea, but they will freshen your breath just as well as fresh tea. Mint tea leaves work especially well.