Place dry tea bags in shoes overnight

Put 2-3 unused dry black tea bags inside each shoe and leave them overnight. Remove the tea bags before wearing. This is a simple, no-cost way to reduce shoe odor using something most households already have.

Why It Works

Black tea contains tannins, which have natural antibacterial properties and are effective at absorbing moisture. The dry tea bags act as small desiccants, pulling dampness out of the shoe lining where odor-causing bacteria grow.

Tips

• Black tea works best due to its higher tannin content compared to green or herbal teas
• Replace tea bags after each use since they lose absorbency once saturated
• For stronger odors, leave the tea bags in for a full 24 hours