Harnessing tea’s eco-friendly cleaning power in celebration of International Tea Day

Today, 21 May, is International Tea Day  – and while the focus of this special day is on sustainable tea production and consumption, it’s also an opportunity to laud it for its versatility.

SweepStars, the efficient domestic workers who, via the SweepSouth app, are booked to clean thousands of homes every week, have interesting tips and tricks for how to use tea – yes, tea! – to up your cleaning game in a way that is also kind to the planet. 

Here are 10 sustainable ways you can clean your home by brewing a black tea solution and reducing your exposure to harsh toxic cleaning products. 

1. Furniture polish 

Brewed black tea is good for removing built-up wax on wooden furniture. It cleans and shines the wood at the same time! 

2. Window cleaner

Mix freshly brewed black tea with as much water as needed and use it for cleaning windows and glassware, then gently wipe with a clean dry cloth for streak-free shine.

3. Refreshing scent 

Putting dry black tea leaves into small sachets or bowls around the house is a simple solution to the problem of strong odours. The leaves give off a refreshing scent in refrigerators, closets and bathrooms.

4. Wooden floor cleaner

Use a bucket of warm water in which you add black brewed tea for mopping the wooden floors. With this solution, you can clean and polish the wood, also leaving a natural refreshing scent in the house.

5. Stainless steel cleaner 

Tea can turn into a cleaning solution and by brewing tea you can polish and clean stainless steel such as sinks. Sweep over the surface with a soft cloth and admire the sparkling steel. 

6. Plant fertiliser 

Recycled tea leaves can be used to enrich the soil of indoor plants and hence, act as a biofertilizer. Tea leaves provide the required nutrients to the soil and help the plants to grow in a healthy way.

7. Hair rinse

It is the right time to rinse your hair with cold black tea after shampooing. It may provide some shine to your hair and generally works best for darker hair.

8. Pet care

Use black tea for pet odours. Make a solution out of it by combining it with water, and then using it to wash your pet’s bedding or to rinse your pet as you are giving them a bath to help neutralise the odour and add shine to their coat. 

9. Stubborn stains

Harsh solvents and fragrances that can be harmful to both indoor air quality and the environment, so go the tea route instead. Empty the contents of the tea bag into a container mix with baking soda and sprinkle on the surface with the stain, let it sit for an hour before wiping clean. 

10. Remove rust 

A cold black tea solution is an effective way to get rid of rust. Allow the rusty item to soak in the solution for at least an hour before using a cloth to rub off the rust.