Here are 10 reasons why you shouldn't throw away your old tea bags

Photo / Getty Images

Photo / Getty Images

They may be designed for making the perfect brew but don't throw your teabags away next time you make a cuppa.

The handy little pouches can be used for all manner of household chores - including cleaning floors and mirrors, and even making pasta dishes taste extra delicious, reports the Daily Mail.

Here, we round up the genius ways you can get extra use out of your teabags - and you'll be stocking up on PG Tips in no time.

1. Add flavour to your pasta

You can use a used teabag to boost the flavour of rice and pasta. Simply add the teabag to a pan of boiling water before adding your pasta and it will add to the flavour.

2. Condition hair

Weak tea can be used after shampooing to nourish hair and leave it glossy and well-conditioned.

3. Beat bad breath

Brew tea twice and then let it cool before swilling it around your mouth to tackle bad breath.

4. Make floors shine

Cool, weak tea can be splashed along wooden floors and furniture to make it shine again.

5. Beating odours

Mix dried used tea leaves into your kitty litter or stash used teabags in your fridge and smelly trainers to keep them smelling fresh.

6. De-grease dishes

If your dishes are covered in stubborn grease and marks, simply soak them with two used tea bags.

7. Soothe irritated skin

If you've got raw skin or sunburn, place a damp tea bag in the fridge for an hour and then place it on your irritated skin. It will help ease any inflammation.

8. Beat bee stings

Using a damp, cool tea bag on a bee sting or insect bite will draw the toxins out and reduce the swelling.

9. Help plants grow

Rebrew a teabag and add the concoction to plant pots to ward off fungal infections. Sprinkling the inside of the tea bag on the plants also helps fertilise it and keep mice away.

10. Make windows and mirrors shine

Use an old teabag, rebrew it and use it to loosen grime and stains on mirrors and windows.

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