Popular Uses for Expired Tea

Expired tea leaves should be avoided for consumption. However, there are some popular ways expired leaves are used outside of drinking.

Deodorizing: Eliminate Unwanted Odors

• Place expired tea leaves in an open container or wrap them in cotton.
• Use these tea bundles to absorb odors in your fridge or wardrobe effectively.

Filling: Create Scented Accessories

• If you have an excess of expired tea leaves, transform them into scented sachets, pillows, or mouse pads with wrist rests.
• The soothing aroma of tea can relax your mind and provide relief.

Descaling: Remove Stubborn Stains

• Tea leaves work wonders in removing fur deposits on kettle walls or water stains on clothing.
• Use expired products to scrub these surfaces and restore their original appearance.

Kitchen Hacks: Combat Odors and Remove Smells

• Cover kitchen garbage with a layer of dehydrated tea residue to prevent unpleasant odors.
• Rub your hands with expired tea leaves to eliminate stubborn smells, like fish.

Hair Care: Enhance Hair Color and Texture

• Washing your hair with expired black tea can make it softer and intensify its color.
• Tea leaves are non-toxic and provide nourishment for your hair.

Remove New Furniture Odors

• New furniture often emits a strong paint odor. Wash it thoroughly with tea to naturally diminish the paint smell.
• Repeating the process several times will completely eliminate the odor without harming your furniture.

Gardening: A Natural Fertilizer

• Sprinkle expired tea leaves in your plant pots to boost plant growth, resulting in greener and healthier leaves.
• The natural fertilizer in tea leaves rivals store-bought options.

Combat Beriberi

• Tea contains tannins, which are effective at killing bacteria, particularly filamentous bacteria associated with beriberi.
• Soak your feet in warm water mixed with tea regularly to help treat beriberi. Green tea is particularly effective.

These are but a few of the most common tricks for expired tea leaves. It is worth noting that aged tea and expired tea are separate issues. Most tea that goes bad is green tea or low grade variants of all types. With proper storage and care, all teas aside from herbal and green can be aged.