Shoes that smell in summer? It happens more often than you say, but perhaps the solution is more trivial than it seems: a sachet of tea. And yes, it really works.


In the heat, you know, the feet become small radiators. And inside the shoes, especially the closed ones, a microclimate is created that is anything but pleasant. Sweat is impregnated in the materials, and within a few hours … here comes that annoying odor. Someone relies on the usual chemical spray with an aggressive perfume, others wash everything in the washing machine hoping for the miracle. But there is a curious and decidedly simpler remedy that deserves attention. And maybe you already have it in the kitchen, without even knowing it. It is one of those tricks that seem invented for fun, but when you try it, you wonder why you hadn’t thought about it before.
Very little is enough: Two sachets of black tea already used, well dry, slipped into the shoes before sleeping. Upon awakening, the smell could be disappeared or at least attenuated. It seems absurd, but it is worth trying.
Because the shoes start to stink (and worsen in summer)
Yes, it’s true: in summer the situation worsens. The heat amplifies everything, even the smells. And it’s not just a matter of sweat: what stinks is not sweat in itself, but what happens later. The humidity remains trapped inside the shoes, and the bacteria take advantage of it to multiply. Result? A mix of organic compounds that you would never want to hear.
Synthetic materials and fashion of using shoes without socks think about getting worse. The foot does not breathe, the humidity remains inside and the smell does not leave. And often, instead of removing the problem, it is covered with fragrant deodorants that last half an hour. Here tea comes into play: silent, natural and surprisingly effective.
Tea makeup: simple but not banal
Behind this gimmick there is no magic, but a pinch of common sense and natural chemistry. Black tea contains tanninssubstances with an antibacterial and astringent power. When the sachets dry well, they continue to retain these properties and at the same time absorb humidity. Result? Less bacteria, less smells.
Of course, there is no magic formula: it depends on the type of shoe, on how much it sweats, on how much humidity remains trapped. Some notice differences already after one night, others have to wait a few days. But if they use it well, the sachets do their duty.
To avoid waste, it is better to recycle those already used. They work anyway, and the environment is also respected.
Here’s how to do it:
- Let two black tea sachets already used already used
- Insert them inside the shoes before going to sleep
- Let it act all night, without touching them
- Remove in the morning and let the shoes air
- Repeat the operation a couple of times a week, if necessary
Is it good for any type of shoe? What if that’s not enough?
It works better with shoes closedin canvas or materials that absorb. With sandals or breathable skin, the effect is there, but it is milder. Don’t expect miracles from one day to the next. However, if the problem is recurring, tea can be a holy hand.
And if you need something more, there are other simple and natural solutions that can be alternated. The bicarbonatefor example, remains a classic: it absorbs humidity and neutralizes the smells. A few teaspoons inside the shoes and go. Then there are the essential oils: a few drops on a cotton ball to refresh and perfume. Or even the dry lavender or sage leavesideal if you want something more delicate and fragrant.
Many choose to combine these methods. One day tea, another baking soda, perhaps also adding a few drops of lavender oil. There are no expensive products, just a little constancy and desire to experiment.
Who would have said that an infusion sachet could turn into an anti-clear ally?
Sometimes, the most effective solutions are precisely those that seem too simple to be true.
Photo © Stock.adobe
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