I tried the teabag method for cleaning my bathroom, and I couldn't believe the results – here's everything you need to know

In my time so far at Homes & Gardens, I've tried cleaning my bathroom with toothpaste, baking soda – and even a potato. Some may say that, really, I'm up for giving anything a go when it comes to sanitizing my space.

So, as an avid tea drinker, what better way to reuse my teabags than cleaning my bathroom. Skeptical? So was I.

While this isn't a cleaning tip I will be turning to throughout my life, it was at least a little effective, and I was pleasantly surprised by the results. Here's how my testing went.

Is a used teabag any good for cleaning?

Before even trying this bizarre way to clean a bathroom, I wanted to get to the bottom of exactly why this would work in the first place.

Karina Toner, cleaning pro and operations manager at Spekless, explains, 'The theory behind using teabags for cleaning comes from their natural tannins, which can cut through grime and leave a subtle shine. Some people use them for cleaning mirrors without streaks, polishing glass, and even wooden surfaces, as the tannins can enhance the luster.'

In my tea-drinking household, we collect a daily towering pile of used teabags. We usually reuse them as an unusual compost ingredient to be more sustainable at home. Therefore, it was no problem to divert some of these and get going, armed with the assurance I needed from Karina to deem this internet cleaning hack worth a go.

Nigel Bearman, cleaning expert and director of Daily Poppins adds, 'Don't throw away your used teabags,' advises cleaning expert Nigel. 'Instead, set them aside and use them on your shower screens, taps, and even your toilet for a streak-free shine. You can clean your entire bathroom with a single tea bag.'

That means this hack costs approximately just five cents to try. With that kind of budget cleaning hack, what did I have to lose?

What you'll need

For this teabag cleaning hack, all you need is a used teabag and a microfiber cloth, such as the Great Value Multipurpose Microfiber Household Cleaning Cloth available at Walmart.

Cleaning expert Nigel says, 'The next time you make yourself a cup of tea, let the teabag cool down on the side whilst you enjoy your brew. Then simply rub the damp tea bag over any affected areas to lift dirt and wipe dry with a microfiber cloth. It’s an easy, eco-friendly sustainable cleaning swap to maintain spotless windows without relying on any harsh cleaning chemicals.'

Having tried this myself to clean my home without harming the planet, I definitely recommend having more than one tea bag on hand, as two out of three bags broke whilst I was wiping them over surfaces.

All prices correct at time of publication.

What I did to clean my bathroom with a teabag

I started by wiping my damp teabag from my morning cup of tea over my faucets, and was genuinely surprised at how shiny it made surfaces. It didn't work as well as when I tried cleaning hard water stains on my faucets with toothpaste, but it did a pretty good job – until I split the bag open. Luckily a quick sloosh of water and any mess was quickly cleared away.

As cleaner Karina explains, 'Rubbing a damp, used teabag over faucets and metal surfaces can help break down some water spots and add a polished look.'

At this point, I was feeling optimistic, so decided to try my teabag on a porcelain surface, to test how it fares to clean a porcelain sink. Remembering the dry/damp cleaning rule, I removed any dust before running my teabag over my toilet cistern.

Again, I was pretty quietly impressed by the results. It wasn't anything miraculous, but it did work, and I really appreciate the idea of reusing something again for a different purpose around the house.

Importantly, as Karina points out, when it comes to cleaning toilets, bathtubs and sinks, 'Teabags do not have disinfecting properties, so they won't kill bacteria, mold, or mildew in areas that need proper sanitation.'

Therefore, I didn't attempt to use my teabags to clean the toilet bowl, and will be following up with something else with proper sanitizing power afterwards. I like the Method All-Purpose Cleaner in Pink Grapefruit, available at Walmart, but you could also make a DIY non-toxic bathroom cleaner, too.

Next, I tried my teabag to clean my glass shower doors. These are still looking streaked and stained after I used my homemade bathroom cleaner on them, so I didn't have much hope for my tiny teabag.

But, as Karina says, 'The tannins can help reduce streaks and add shine,' so I did think it was worth trying, and it did help, even if only a little. After recent events, I will definitely stick to cleaning with vinegar from now on!

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BEFORE

AFTER

According to Karina, tea bags are also useful for cleaning wood cabinets or shelving in the bathroom, as the tea can subtly enhance wood tones. I don't have any unpainted wood in my bathroom, so I can't vouch for that either way.

It is worth noting, as Karina stresses, that tea can stain porous surfaces, making a teabag unsuitable for cleaning shower grout or cleaning tile floors, if they're light in color.

While teabags can offer a mild polishing effect, they should be used as a supplemental trick, rather than a primary cleaning method. Karina adds, 'For true sanitation, pairing them with a disinfectant or natural cleaner is a better approach,' she explains.

More surprising ways to use teabags around your home

Teabag uses don't stop there. We always pop our teabags in the compost, which cleaning expert Nigel also recommends. 'This simple trick not only saves money but also reduces waste, making it a win-win for both your home and the environment,' he says. You can also use them to:

• Degrease pots and pans: 'Soak your dirty dishes in warm water with a few used tea bags for a few hours,' says Nigel. 'The tannins help break down grease and make washing up easier.'
• Deodorize shoes: 'Simply place dry, used tea bags inside your shoes overnight, and they’ll absorb unwanted odours, leaving your footwear fresher,' advises Nigel.
• Polishing and shine your wooden furniture: As Karina also recommends, you can also use teabags on wood. 'Steep a used tea bag in a glass of water,' says Nigel. 'Use this water to dampen a microfiber cloth, and gently wipe down your wooden surfaces for a natural shine. The tannins enhance the wood’s colour while removing dust and grime.'

My verdict

Pleasantly surprised is the best way to describe my opinion on this teabag bathroom cleaning hack, now I have tried it. It worked fine, just like when I tried cleaning limescale with a grapefruit, but won't be my go to, particularly as it must be followed up with a sanitizing technique afterwards.

Meet our experts

Karina Toner

As a professional cleaner with years of experience, Karina is clued up when it comes to which weird and wonderful ways to clean a home actually work, and which are best left untested.

Intrigued by how to clean with white bread, or the time I tried cleaning my shower with a potato? I'll be keeping my root vegetables to the kitchen from now on. If you're looking for alternative cleaning solutions, try our three-ingredient, non-toxic DIY bathroom cleaner.