You may have heard people talking about putting their tea bags in the fridge before but wondered what benefits they can get from this.
One of the main reasons people put tea bags in the fridge is that tea bags absorb smells. Placing a few inside a container in your fridge will remove any funky odors you might have. Tea bags are also great for using as cold compresses when chilled, which can help with puffiness under the eyes and even relieve insect bites.
Let’s discover some details on what benefits you can get from putting your tea bags in the fridge and how long you can keep them in the refrigerator before they go bad.
Why You Should Put Your Tea Bags in the Fridge
You can get multiple benefits from using your used tea bags for a collection of different tasks. You can enjoy a nice cup of tea and get some use out of those p b o l just by putting them in the fridge. Let’s go through some of the things you can use your tea bags for.
Tea Bags Can Remove That Funky Fridge Smell
Everyone hates when you open a fridge; that funky smell hits you, and you’re not even sure where it’s coming from. A lot of people will turn to baking soda to absorb that smell. However, you can also fill an open container with a couple of used tea bags, and they will be able to remove that smell in your fridge and no time.
Tea Bags Can Reduce Puffy Eyes
If you’re looking for a soft carrot, putting your tea bags in the fridge can be a great way to deal with any puffy eyes you might have after sleeping. All you have to do is Chill them in the refrigerator and then lay them on your eyes for 5 to 20 minutes, depending on how much swelling there is.
Tea Bags Can Relieve Your Pet’s Paws
In the same way that refrigerated tea bags are great for your skin, they can also help your pet. In colder climates where salt is used a lot outside in the winter, your dog’s feet can get very irritated. Holding a wet tea bag to the pads of their feet twice a day for 1 minute can help repair the skin.
You can usually tell if your pet has some irritation on their paws if they start to bite and chew at them. Even if you don’t know for sure if something is irritating your dog’s paws or it isn’t winter to irritate them, no heart was going to come from you holding the wet tea bag to the pads of their feet.
Tea Bags Can Relieve Itchy Bug Bites ; Sunburns
Summer days are lazy outside, resulting in your fair share of bug bites and sunburns. Chilling at some used tea bags in your fridge can reduce swelling and relieve the itch and stinging you can get from these.
The tannic acids and polyphenols help constrict your blood vessels, reducing swelling and speeding up the healing process of sunburns and insect bites. Black teas work the best for this, and you can even hold the tea bag up to Bruises to help relieve them.
How Long Do Tea Bags Keep in the Fridge?
Generally speaking, you can expect your tea bags to last anywhere from three to four months once you have used them and put them into the fridge, but some brands can last up to a year if they are in an airtight container.
Does Putting Your Tea Bags in the Fridge Make Them Last Longer?
It’s important to note that putting your tea bags into your fridge isn’t a way to store them so you can drink tea with them later on. Putting them in the refrigerator is excellent if you decide to make a cup of tea and reuse that bag within the next 24 hours.
But if you want to keep your tea bags fresh for as long as possible to make tea with them, then the best place for them is in the box that came in or an airtight container that isn’t transparent.
Can Tea Bags Grow Mold?
Tea bags most definitely can grow mold because they hold a lot of water when you use them, which is perfect for mold to start growing. This is one of the reasons you might want to put a bag in the refrigerator if you’re going to use it in the next 24 hours so that it doesn’t have mold.
While your tea bags can last for quite a few months in the refrigerator, it’s still important to keep an eye on their condition if you’re going to let them sit there that long. In most cases, a few weeks is the best time to use your tea bags, so try to have small batches in your refrigerator at a time.
What is the Best Way to Keep Tea Bags Fresh?
The best way to keep your tea bags fresh is to keep them in the box you bought them in. Tea companies make their packaging in a way that will keep their product fresh for as long as possible, so the original packaging is the best place to keep your tea bags in the long term.
If you don’t want to keep your tea in the original packaging, then a plastic container or bin is also suitable if it isn’t see-through. Sunlight can make your tea fade and lose flavor much faster, so having a tinted container is much better. Or you can keep them in a dark cupboard.
If you have loose tea or take the tea leaves out of the bags to use them for a mixture of things, then storing them in an airtight ceramic or tin container is the best choice. All you have is transparent glass jars, so keep them in a dark cupboard.
Conclusion
In most instances, someone would put their tea bags in the fridge because they’re either trying to get rid of a smell in their fridge or trying to chill them for other uses such as helping with puffy eyes or to soothe sunburn or insect bite. Putting your tea bags in the refrigerator is not a way for them last longer.
Hi, I’m Jen Williams, chief editor and writer for ThirstPerk.com.
I’ve been drinking coffee and tea for most of my life, but it wasn’t until I started working at Thirstperk.com that I became an expert on the subject. I’m a total caffeine addict who has spent hours upon hours reading about and experimenting with the different types of coffees out there in my search to find the perfect cup of joe.
I’ve been a tea lover for as long as I can remember as well. I grew up in a house with a mom who loved to drink herbal tea, and I think that’s where my love for tea first began. These days, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting teas to try, and I love experimenting with different brewing methods and flavoring combinations.