8 Amazing Uses for Black Tea Around the House
A hot cup of black tea can help you feel relaxed, rejuvenated and hydrated. Did you know that your black tea bag can do even more than just give you a cup of pleasure? Read on to learn how to get more out of your black tea bags.
1. Stainless cast iron pans.
You love using your cast-iron pot for casseroles, but you're not a fan of the hard-to-remove rust that accumulates in them. To the rescue: black tea bags. First, wash and dry the pot as usual, then wipe it down with a damp tea bag. The tannins in the tea help form an invisible protective layer that prevents rust-causing oxidation. This will keep your cookware looking like new.
2. Stops bleeding from a paper cut.
Ouch You accidentally cut your finger while sorting the mail. You can stop the bleeding quickly with a used black tea bag. Simply hold the damp bag directly on the cut for at least 30 seconds. The tannic acid in the tea will promote clotting and stop the bleeding and pain.
3. Tenderize beef with ease.
The last time you prepared beef in the slow stove, it was still a little tough even after hours of cooking in the crock pot. Next time, steep four or five tea bags in water for 10 to 15 minutes, then mix the liquid with an equal part double-strength beef broth and add it to your stew or roast. The tea's tenderizing tannins break up the beef's tough fibers for a buttery-soft texture.
4. Water houseplants.
Do you've to constantly water your houseplants to keep them thriving? Enlist the help of tea bags. Here's how: Put two or three bags in the soil near the base of each plant. Each time you water the plants, the bags absorb (and slowly release) the excess liquid, keeping the soil moist for twice as long. Bonus: The tea also releases fertilizing nutrients into the soil.
5. Save a broken nail quickly.
One of your fingernails has broken off and gone so deep into the nail bed that you can't just file it away. Try sealing it with a tea bag. Here's how: Cut a tiny piece of the bag's mesh (it resembles gauze), brush clear nail polish over the crack, and gently press the piece onto it. Seal with a layer of nail polish and voila!
6. Make sure your clothes smell fresh.
Potpourri is a wonderful way to add a fresh scent to your drawers, but offerings with strong, artificial fragrances can give you a headache. Instead, place a few tea bags in each drawer to create a subtle, natural aroma.
7. Make wood furniture shine.
An inexpensive and natural way to spruce up your dining table that's become dull over time: black tea bags. Steep two to three bags in a kettle filled with boiling water and let cool to room temperature. Dip a soft cloth in the mixture and use it to clean the furniture. The tannins contained in the tea nourish the wood and give it a shiny appearance.
8. Banish foot odor in the blink of an eye.
The hike you took was very refreshing. The only problem? Your feet are sweaty and smelly. To get rid of the smell, soak five tea bags in a cup of hot water and let them steep for 10 minutes. Then pour the liquid into a bowl of lukewarm water, let your feet bathe in it for 30 minutes and then air dry. The tannic acid contained in the tea kills odor-causing bacteria and dries the skin pores, preventing excessive sweating.