Put Used Tea Bags In My Car!!! Whatever Next?

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Todays post concerns tea bags and putting them in your car! Now, I know many use tea bags in their gardens but I'd not come across using them in your car before ... have you?

"Drivers urged to put tea bags in cars from Tuesday

Drivers across the UK are being urged to put used tea bags inside their cars from Tuesday 18th November as snow and ice is forecast. The Met Office has issued multiple yellow weather warnings for snow and ice this week affecting Northern Ireland, parts of Wales, northern and southwest parts of England and much of Scotland, with temperatures expected to plummet below zero in some parts. The wintry conditions means drivers will likely wake up to a layer of condensation on their car windows this week, as cold weather typically makes it worse. Condensation forms when warm, moist air inside the car meets the cold surface of the glass, causing water vapour to condense and form droplets, and this tends to be more pronounced in winter or in bouts of very cold weather.

photo credit : Claire Schofield

The colder the outside temperature is, the more dramatic the temperature drop when warm air hits the glass, which leads to fogging. Condensation and fogging can take a while to clear, which can be very frustrating ahead of a morning commute, but there is a simple remedy you can use to tackle the problem - and all you need is some used tea bags.

Used tea bags - particularly used black and green tea bags - are very effective at reducing condensation and dampness inside cars because the tea leaves contain substances that are naturally absorbent.

As such, they can be used to draw excess moisture from the air and essentially act as a natural dehumidifier which can prove particularly useful on freezing cold mornings.

Currently, there are three separate weather warnings for ice on Tuesday, November 18, plus a warning for snow, and a warning for snow and ice, affecting large swathes of northern parts of the UK.

Further warnings for snow and ice are in force until Thursday, November 20, so drivers are likely to find they're waking up to damp, misty and potentially frozen windscreens.

To help tackle this, experts recommend placing some used tea bags, or small bowls of loose tea, around the inside of your car, such as on the dashboard or in the door pockets. Doing so can lower the risk of condensation forming on windscreens, which in turn helps drivers avoid being handed a fine of up to £2,500.

The Highway Code says drivers should always completely demist their windows before setting off and condensation can obstruct this, and if you try to drive with an obscured view you could be fined up to £2,500 and get penalty points on your license, especially if it leads to an accident.

Ben Pitcher, motoring specialist at DPF Experts, says tea bags are a great solution to this problem as they're naturally absorbent, cheap and likely already knocking around in your kitchen cupboard.

He explains: "Tea bags, especially black or green tea, are natural moisture absorbers. Placing them in your car can help reduce condensation, especially in colder months. Though they aren't as powerful as professional dehumidifiers, they're a cheap, eco-friendly solution for tackling minor dampness."

Green and black tea are able to absorb moisture that can form when the temperature inside a car is different to that outside and, as an added bonus, it can also improve the smell of your vehicle. Tea bags can absorb and neutralise unpleasant odours, leaving your car smelling much fresher with very little effort.

Pitcher also says packets of silica gel, which is commonly found in packaging for things like shoes, electronics and food items, can also have a similar effect and will help to clear car windscreens in the morning when condensation is most common.

He adds: "Silica gel packets, commonly found in packaging, are excellent at absorbing moisture. Collecting a few and placing them around your car can help control condensation. While they won't clear foggy windows instantly, they can help reduce moisture and keep your windscreen clearer for longer."

The above from article seen 18/11/25 here

Well, I never ...

Do please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Wherever you are I wish you safe driving.

All the best Jan