Boil the kettle, grab a mug. Into the mug spoon your favourite coffee or pop a tea bag and wait for it to brew. Now, drink. Simple, isn’t it? But wait, there’s more ... why not try one of these surprising uses for tea and coffee?
1. Refresh tired eyes
Don’t have the time to book yourself into the luxury spa you truly deserve? Chamomile, rooibos, and green tea can all be effective in treating sore or red eyes. The anti-inflammatory properties of these teas may help to reduce any swelling or inflammation that accompanies irritated eyes. Apply warm, damp tea bags over closed eyes for 20 minutes.
2. A revitalising body scrub
Not only can coffee revitalise a tired morning, but it could also rejuvenate your skin! It takes only a few minutes to make with a handful of ingredients.
Take a cup of fresh ground coffee, a cup of organic sugar, and half a cup of coconut oil. Melt the coconut oil and allow it to cool but not solidify. Mix it with the other ingredients and place in an airtight jar. Packed with antioxidants and completely natural, we highly recommend this scrub. It’s gentle enough to be used daily for glowing skin!
If you have naturally oily skin, you can switch the coconut oil for a different oil. Jojoba and tea tree oils are both good for oily skin. Be careful when using the scrub in showers or baths, as the floor may become slippery due to the oil contained within the body scrub.
3. Unwind with a relaxing bath
Pop a couple of tea bags into your bath water next time you take a soak. The antioxidants in the tea leaves will leave your skin feeling soft and hydrated, while the scent of the tea can help you unwind. This is especially true if using teas known for their calming properties, such as jasmine or chamomile.
The antioxidants in tea make it a great addition to a bath. Photo by fotografierende from Pexels
4. A quick, cheap hair dye
A cup of brewed coffee can do more than just give you a caffeine boost. Though it may seem silly, it can also help dye your hair a shade or two darker, and may even cover up some gray hair. Simply brew a cup of coffee (dark roast works best) and you’re on your way to save a bad hair day. Mix a half cup of coffee with two teaspoons of coffee grounds and a half cup of conditioner. Apply the mixture to washed hair and let it sit for an hour before washing out. Okay, so it might not replace a trip to the hairdresser, but it’s a quick, easy and affordable solution in a pinch.
5. Fill your home with the smell of freshly brewed coffee
There are few smells as alluring as a fresh cup of coffee, don’t you think? If you love the smell of freshly brewed coffee as much as we do, try making a coffee-scented candle. You’ll need: an empty container (our mugs work great for this); a wick and candle wax; coffee (dark roast is best due to its bold flavour and smell); a saucepan (preferably an old one); a funnel; superglue; and a spoon.
Take your superglue and candle wick. Put a drop of glue on the bottom of the wicks base and place the wick base in the centre of the mug and let it dry. Melt the candle wax in a saucepan. Once the wax has melted, pour a thin layer into the container whilst holding the wick straight. Add a layer of coffee before adding the rest of the wax. While it’s still wet, add the rest of the coffee and stir (making sure to keep the coffee from getting too close to the wick or the coffee will burn when it is lit.) Once the candle has solidified, voila , you have your own coffee candle.
6. Refresh musty carpets
Did you know you can use the leaves from a tea bag to freshen up your carpets? Allow a tea bag to dry out then remove the leaves. Stir the leaves into a cup of baking soda and sprinkle the mixture over your carpet. Let it sit for about thirty minutes, then vacuum. The tea and baking soda will combine and work to trap dirt and absorb odours, which will make your carpet look and feel much fresher.
A nice cup of tea in a bone china mug. The best use of tea, if you ask us! Nice Cup Of Tea mug by Betsy Benn.
Although these are all fascinating uses for tea and coffee, for most people the preferred method is simply to drink it. If you’re a tea lover or coffee aficionado, bone china mugs are a great choice. We have hundreds of designs to choose from, so there’s something for everyone. Find your new favourite mug today.
