Used tea leaves can be composted, used as a natural fertilizer, applied for odor absorption, or utilized in DIY beauty treatments for skin exfoliation.
Don’t toss those used tea leaves just yet! From gardening to beauty treatments, spent tea leaves have surprising second lives. Discover how to give your tea leaves new purpose while reducing waste.
Fertilize Your Garden
Used tea leaves are packed with nutrients that plants love. They contain nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus – essential elements for plant growth.
Direct Soil Amendment
Sprinkle damp tea leaves directly around plants. Roses especially thrive with tea leaf fertilizer. The tannic acid helps maintain proper soil pH for acid-loving plants.
Compost Booster
Add tea leaves to your compost bin to accelerate decomposition. They’re considered a “green” material that balances “brown” materials like dried leaves. For best results, mix with vegetable scraps from juicing.
Natural Deodorizers
Tea leaves absorb odors remarkably well due to their porous structure and tannins.
Refrigerator Freshener
Place dried tea leaves in a small muslin bag in your fridge. Replace weekly. For extra freshness, add a drop of essential oil.
Shoe Deodorizer
Fill old socks with dried tea leaves and place in shoes overnight. The leaves will absorb moisture and odors.
Cleaning Powerhouse
Tea leaves make an excellent, chemical-free cleaning agent.
Grease Cutter
Rub damp tea leaves on greasy pans before washing. The tannins help break down grease naturally.
Wood Polish
Brew weak tea with used leaves and use the cooled liquid to clean wood surfaces. It leaves a beautiful shine without harsh chemicals.
Beauty Treatments
The antioxidants in tea leaves benefit skin and hair.
Facial Toner
Steep used green tea leaves in warm water, then strain. Apply the cooled liquid to your face with a cotton pad to reduce puffiness.
Hair Rinse
After shampooing, pour cooled black tea through your hair to add shine and enhance dark tones. Rinse after 5 minutes.
Culinary Uses
Used tea leaves can add flavor to various dishes.
Tea-Infused Rice
Mix dried tea leaves with uncooked rice before boiling. The rice will absorb a subtle tea flavor. Try this with jasmine or oolong tea.
Meat Tenderizer
The tannins in tea help break down proteins. Rub damp tea leaves on tougher cuts of meat before cooking.
Craft Projects
Get creative with used tea leaves in arts and crafts.
Natural Dye
Simmer used tea leaves to create a dye for fabric or paper. The longer you steep, the darker the color.
Paper Making
Add dried tea leaves to homemade paper pulp for texture and visual interest. This works especially well with glass pitcher blenders when preparing the pulp.
Pet Care
Tea leaves can benefit your furry friends too.
Cat Litter Deodorizer
Mix dried, finely ground tea leaves with cat litter to help control odors naturally.
Small Animal Bedding
Dried tea leaves make excellent bedding for small pets like hamsters when mixed with other natural materials.
According to Bird & Blend Tea, used tea leaves (called ‘chagra’ in Japan) have been repurposed for thousands of years. The Mansa Tea Company notes that tea’s absorbent properties make it ideal for odor control and cleaning.
