There’s nothing quite like a morning cup of coffee, but in the evenings, I always prefer tea. After steeping a teabag in hot water, most of us simply toss it in the trash—but ever since my grandmother shared her clever tricks, I’ve stopped throwing them away.

Check out these creative ways to repurpose used teabags. Not only are they surprisingly useful, but they might even help you save some money!

1. Soothe Sunburns

Rinse a used black tea bag with cold water and apply it to sunburned skin. The tannic acid in black tea helps soothe irritation, promote healing, and provide a long-lasting cooling effect—perfect for summer burns or vacation mishaps.

2. Relieve Minor Burns

The same black tea bags that ease sunburns can also help with minor kitchen burns. Simply press a damp tea bag against the affected area—the tannins in the tea work to reduce pain and inflammation.

3. Get Rid of Warts

Green tea’s powerful antioxidants may help shrink warts naturally. Once a used green tea bag has cooled, place it over the wart for 15 minutes. Then, replace it with a fresh one for another 15 minutes. Repeat daily, and the wart may disappear in a few days.

4. Reduce Puffy Eyes

Black tea’s tannins can also help minimize under-eye puffiness. After enjoying your tea, store the used bag in a small container in the fridge for a day or two. When needed, place

the chilled tea bags over your eyes to refresh and reduce swelling.

5. Remove Grease Stains

Stubborn grease stains on dishes? Let them soak with water and a few used tea bags. The tannins help break down the grease, making it much easier to scrub away.

6. Natural Weed Killer

Used tea bags can be an eco-friendly way to combat weeds. Steep black tea and mix it with citrus peels or vinegar for a natural weed-killing spray. You can also pour brewed black tea directly onto unwanted weeds for an organic solution.

7. Fertilize Plants

Both loose-leaf tea and compostable tea bags make excellent fertilizers. Simply bury them around houseplants, ferns, or roses to enrich the soil. You can also place tea bags directly around plant roots to promote healthy growth.

Next time you make a cup of tea, think twice before tossing the bag—you might just find a new, practical use for it!