The natural properties in tea leaves mean tea bags are as amazing outside of your mug as they are inside of it. Don't toss out your used—or unused—tea bags; put them to work instead! Here's how. 1. Eliminate funky fridge smells You might normally turn to baking soda to deodorize your refrigerator, but tea can actually do the same job. Fill an open container with a few used tea bags, place it inside your fridge, and that funky smell will be gone in no time. 2.