Homemade footwash

To eliminate foot odor, mix some gin with a few drops of thyme oil and apply to your feet.

Soothe bleeding gums

After a tooth extraction or when an older child loses a tooth, try putting a cold, wet tea bag in the mouth where the tooth was lost and bite down on it. The tannic acid in tea helps healing blood clots to form, can reduce bleeding and soothe pain.

Tea Day #2!

Before you throw out your used tea bags and tea leaves, check these alternative uses for them.

Help houseplants

Occasionally use brewed tea instead of water to feed ferns and other houseplants that like rich, acidic soil. Spread used tea leaves around rosebushes, and then add mulch and water. The tannic acid and other nutrients will benefit the plants. A few used teabags in the bottom of a planter can help the soil retain water, and adds valuable nutrients.

Speed up composting process

Pouring strong tea into a compost bin will help speed up the process and encourage more friendly bacteria to grow, improving the compost.

Tenderize meat

Marinate tough meat in black tea to make it tenderer.

Soothe acne

Wash your face with green tea or calendula flower tea. They have mildly antiseptic properties.

Shine dry hair

Brewed tea makes a good conditioner for dry hair. Rinse with (unsweetened) tea and leave to dry for a while, and then rinse again with water.