What To Do With Old Tea Leaves: 11 Must-Try Uses Of Tea Leaves (2026)

Wondering what to do with old tea leaves? I’ve experimented with tons of DIY tea leaves projects and I’m here to share the best ones.

If you’re a tea lover like me, you probably find yourself having some old tea leaves hidden in the corner of your cabinet. Before you toss them in the trash, try to reuse them! Whether you have earl grey tea, chamomile tea, ginger tea, or any other type of tea – there’s a way to use it again.

I’ve got 11 amazing ideas for things to make with tea leaves!

Use Tea Leaves To Tenderize Meat
Use As An Insect Repellent
Make Tea Leaf Art
Put In Sachets To Keep Clothes Fresh
Use As A Natural Dye

1. Compost Tea Leaves

When you’re done brewing your cup of tea, don’t toss those used tea leaves in the trash! Give them a second life by composting them instead. Tea leaves are rich in nutrients and can be a great addition to your compost pile.

To compost tea leaves, simply add them to your compost bin or pile. Make sure to mix them well with other organic materials like kitchen scraps, yard waste, and shredded paper. The tea leaves will break down quickly and add valuable nutrients to your compost.

I always try to keep my compost pile moist and also turn it occasionally to help with the decomposition process. Once you do this, your old tea leaves will transform into nutrient-rich compost that can be used to enrich your garden soil or potted plants.

2. Use Tea Leaves As Fertilizer

Did you know that you can use your used tea leaves as fertilizer? Tea leaves are rich in nutrients that can benefit your plants and garden.

To use tea leaves as fertilizer, simply sprinkle them around your plants or mix them into the soil. Tea leaves have nutrients such as:

nitrogen
potassium
phosphorus

These nutrients help improve the overall health and growth of your plants. They can also help increase the acidity of the soil.

Just remember to let the used tea leaves dry out before using them as fertilizer. Wet tea leaves can cause mold or attract pests.

3. Use Tea Leaves As Odor Absorber

If you read my posts on the best natural air fresheners and deodorants, you can tell I’m huge on making things smell good. So using tea leaves as an odor absorber is top of mind when it comes to what to do with used tea leaves.

It’s super simple. You just need to:

Take your used tea leaves and spread them out in a small dish or bowl.
Then, place the dish in areas where you want to eliminate unwanted odors. I like to put it in areas like the refrigerator, shoe cabinets, and the bathroom.
The tea leaves will naturally absorb and neutralize unpleasant smells.

For an extra boost of fragrance, you can even add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the tea leaves.

Remember to replace the tea leaves every few weeks to make sure they work well at all times.

4. Use As Mulch for Houseplants

Use your old tea leaves and repurpose them as mulch for your houseplants.

You can sprinkle the tea leaves around the base of your houseplants to create a protective layer. This will help retain moisture in the soil, prevent weed growth, and provide nutrients as the leaves decompose.

You can also mix the tea leaves with other organic materials, like compost or potting soil, to create a nutrient-rich mixture for your plants.

I recommend avoiding using tea leaves that have been flavored or sweetened, as these additives may not be beneficial for your houseplants.

5. Use As A Natural Cleaner

You can also use old tea leaves to clean your windows and mirrors. Brew a strong pot of black tea and let it cool. Then, use a clean microfiber cloth or sponge to dip into the tea and wipe down your windows or mirrors.

The natural properties of the tea will help remove dirt and leave a streak-free shine.

Another use for old tea leaves is as a natural carpet freshener. Sprinkle dried tea leaves onto your carpet, let them sit for a few minutes, and then vacuum them up. Not only will your carpet smell pleasant, but any lingering odors will be neutralized.

6. Use Tea Leaves in Skincare

Old tea leaves can also be used in your skincare routine. Here’s how:

Facial scrub: Mix used tea leaves with honey, yogurt, or avocado to create a gentle exfoliating scrub. Gently massage it onto your face to remove dead skin cells.
Under Eye Treatment: Place cooled tea bags or tea leaves under your eyes to reduce puffiness and soothe tired eyes. Also helps to reduce inflammation.
Bath soak: Add used tea leaves to your bathwater for a relaxing and rejuvenating soak. Your skin will feel nourished and refreshed afterward.
Foot soak: Create a foot soak by adding tea leaves to warm water. Soaking your feet in this mixture can help soothe dry skin.

7. Use Tea Leaves To Tenderize Meat

What. todo with old tea leaves if you love cooking? Use it to tenderize meat.

Sprinkle a layer of the leaves over the meat and let it sit for about 30 minutes before cooking. The natural enzymes in the tea leaves help to break down the proteins in the meat.

I like to choose tea leaves with a mild flavor, such as green tea or oolong tea. That’s because stronger tea varieties may overpower the taste of the meat.

This method works best for tougher cuts of meat, such as beef or pork. I love how it adds a subtle tea flavor to the dish which adds a depth of flavor.

8. Use As An Insect Repellent

Tea leaves can be a great natural insect repellent. Spread the used tea leaves in areas where insects appear. Mine usually appears on the doorways or windowsills.

The strong scent of the tea leaves acts as a deterrent for insects. Tea leaves have something called tannins which are toxic to many pests.

Using tea leaves as an insect repellent is not only effective but also eco-friendly. It avoids the use of harmful chemicals and is a natural solution to keep unwanted pests away.

9. Make Tea Leaf Art

If you love being creative, try making some unique tea leaf art!

Tea leaf art is a unique and eco-friendly way to create beautiful artwork. You can use the tea leaves to make patterns and designs. Make them in different shapes or patterns. Let your imagination go wild!

Once you have your design in place, you can use glue or mod podge to secure the tea leaves onto the surface. This will ensure that your artwork stays intact.

Once your tea leaf art is complete, you can display it in a frame or use it as a decorative piece around your home. It’s a great way to repurpose old tea leaves and create something beautiful.

10. Put In Sachets To Keep Clothes Fresh

If you find yourself with a stash of old tea leaves and don’t know what to do with them, here’s an idea: use them to make sachets that will keep your clothes fresh and smelling great.

Gather some old tea bags or empty sachets and fill them with the used tea leaves. Then, close it tight.

Then, place these sachets in your wardrobe or dresser drawers. The natural aroma of the tea leaves will act as a deodorizer.

11. Use As A Natural Dye

This is my last idea for what to do with old tea leaves! Old tea leaves can be repurposed as a natural dye. I love this because the color it produces is lovely, earth-toned shades.

To use old tea leaves as a natural dye, start by brewing a strong cup of tea with the leaves. Let it cool before straining out the leaves. Then, soak your fabric or paper in the brewed tea, making sure it is fully submerged. Depending on the desired color intensity, you can leave it to soak anywhere from a few hours to overnight.

Once the desired color is achieved, remove the fabric or paper from the tea bath and gently rinse it with water. Finally, let it air dry or place it in a sunny spot to accelerate the drying process.

Try and experiment with different types of tea, such as black tea, green tea, or herbal tea, to create a variety of shades.

Why you shouldn’t throw away old tea leaves

There are many benefits of reusing old tea leaves!

Save money: Instead of constantly buying new tea, reusing old tea leaves can be a cost-effective way to enjoy your favorite beverage.
Reduce waste: By reusing tea leaves, you’re contributing to a more sustainable lifestyle by reducing the amount of waste generated.
Functional Uses: Old tea leaves actually have many functional uses. It’s a waste to throw away!

Frequently Asked Questions

What can you do with expired tea leaves?

You can turn expired tea leaves into a fertilizer for plants, use it as a natural dye, use it as a deodorizer, and so much more! As a last resort, you can always compost it.

Can tea leaves last 10 years?

Tea leaves that are stored in an airtight container and in a cool dry place can last 10 years.

Is leftover tea good for plants?

Leftover tea is really good for plants! Just make sure the tea isn’t flavored or contains sweeteners. Those additives can harm the plant.

Final Thoughts On What To Do With Old Tea Leaves

That’s a wrap on what to do with old tea leaves! There are surprisingly a ton of things to make with old tea leaves. With a bit of creativity, you can easily turn tea leaves into something really functional.

Almost 40% of food is wasted in America. Even reducing a small percentage of food waste can help the environment in profound ways. If you’re at the start of your sustainable living journey, dealing with something small like tea leaves is a good start.

Then, you can start upcycling and repurposing more items like dried lavender and even old denim jeans.

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