5 More Things To Do with Tea
Updated: Mar. 20, 2019Whether you need a pot of Earl Grey to wakeup in the morning or a cup of herbal to sleep, tea is a great thing to have around the house. But why limit yourself to drinking tea? Here are five fun new ways to use tea in practical ways.
1. Enhance Your Compost Pile
To speed up the decomposition process and enrich your compost, pour a few cups of strongly brewed tea into the heap. The liquid tea will hasten decomposition and draw acid-producing bacteria, creating desirable acid-rich compost.
2. Cool Sunburned Skin
What can you do when you forget to use sunscreen and have to pay the price with a painful burn? A few wet tea bags applied to the affected skin will take out the sting. This works well for other types of minor burns (i.e., from a teapot or steam iron) too. If the sunburn is too widespread to use tea this way, put some tea bags in your bathwater and soak your whole body in the tub.
3. Condition Dry Hair
To give a natural shine to dry hair, use a litre of warm, unsweetened tea (freshly brewed or instant) as a final rinse after your regular shampoo.
4. Dry Poison Ivy Rash
Dry a weepy poison ivy rash with strongly brewed tea. Simply dip a cotton ball into the tea, dab it on the affected area, and let it air-dry. Repeat as needed.
5. Clean Wood Furniture and Floors
Freshly brewed tea is great for cleaning wood furniture and floors. Just boil a couple of tea bags in a litre of water and let it cool. Dip a soft cloth in the tea, wring out the excess, and use it to wipe away dirt and grime. Buff dry with a clean, soft cloth.
