How to Deodorize Boots Fast: The Tea Bag Trick

How to Deodorize Boots Fast?

Boots are brilliant—until you take them off and the room votes you out.

At Hamlet Laundry Ltd (London), we see this every winter: a great pair of boots that’s perfectly fine on the outside, but the inside has become a warm, damp, sealed little ecosystem. That’s the real reason “boot funk” happens—and why the right fix is less about perfume-y sprays and more about moisture + microbes + time.

This guide gives you a fast, practical, low-mess way to deodorize boots using dry tea bags and a baking soda sachet, plus a simple “triage” system so you don’t waste time on hacks that can’t solve your specific problem.

Quick answer

To deodorize boots fast:

1. Put 2–3 dry black tea bags in each boot (toe + heel).
2. Leave 8–24 hours (overnight is usually enough for mild odor).
3. For stronger odor, add one baking soda sachet per boot (details below).
4. Remove everything and air out your boots (avoid direct heat).

Why boots smell ?

Most boot odor isn’t “dirt.” It’s chemistry and microbiology.

Research has found that a major contributor to foot odor is isovaleric acid, produced when skin bacteria (notably Staphylococcus epidermidis) break down leucine found in sweat.

And boots make it worse because:

• the inside stays dark, warm, and humid—conditions that help microbes thrive and keep odor compounds trapped.

So the winning strategy is:

1. dry the environment, and
2. reduce odor compounds (without damaging the material).

Boot odor triage: pick the right fix first

Use this table before you start—because “tea bags overnight” can be perfect… or completely pointless, depending on the situation.

Method 1: Dry tea bags in boots overnight (fast + low effort)

Why it works

Black tea contains tannins (polyphenols) that are widely discussed in scientific literature for antimicrobial/anti-virulence activity across different microbes.
In real-life boot deodorizing, tea bags are mainly helpful because they:

• absorb a bit of moisture
• reduce musty odor in enclosed space
• may add a mild antimicrobial “assist” (don’t expect sterilization)

Step-by-step (Hamlet Laundry method)

1. Choose dry, unused black tea bags.
2. Place 2–3 tea bags per boot: one in the toe, one under the arch, one near the heel.
3. Leave 8–24 hours (overnight is great).
4. Remove tea bags and let boots air out for 1–2 hours before wearing.

Pro tip: If your boots have removable insoles, lift them slightly or remove them while deodorizing so air can circulate.

Dry vs wet tea bags: what’s “right”?

You’ll see two schools online:

• Moist/steeped tea bags (some recommend steeping then placing in shoes)
• Dry tea bags (recommended for boots by The Spruce)

Our practical recommendation

Start with dry tea bags.

Why? Because moisture is the fuel for odor cycles—research notes that high humidity supports microbial growth and malodor production.
Adding moisture (even “just a little”) can backfire if the boots don’t dry fully—especially in damp weather or in thicker, lined winter boots.

If you do try the moist method from Southern Living, the non-negotiable step is: dry the shoes thoroughly afterward.

Method 2: The mess-free baking soda sachet hack (for strong odor)

Baking soda is popular for a reason: it’s a classic deodorizer that can help neutralize odors and absorb smells—used for generations in household odor control.

Why the sachet matters

Sprinkling baking soda directly into boots works, but it can leave residue in seams, linings, and textured footbeds. A sachet gives you the benefits without the cleanup.

Step-by-step

1. Put 2–3 tablespoons of baking soda into:
   • a clean tea bag,
   • a coffee filter tied with string, or
   • a small muslin pouch.
2. Place one sachet per boot (toe area works well).
3. Leave 12–24 hours (baking soda tends to work better with time).
4. Remove sachets, tap out the boot lightly (just in case), then air out.

Optional: If scent is your thing, Martha Stewart notes baking soda can be customized with a small amount of essential oil—just don’t overdo it inside delicate materials.

If the smell comes back quickly, do this diagnostic (it saves time)

If odor returns within a day or two, you’re usually dealing with a source—not just a smell.

Quick diagnostic

• Smell the insole (top and underside).
• Smell the boot interior (toe box and heel cup).
• If insoles smell far worse: they’re likely the main reservoir.

Why this matters: humidity + trapped sweat contamination can keep re-feeding odor production over time.

What not to do (boot-saving rules)

Some deodorizing “advice” ruins boots faster than odor does.

Avoid:

• Direct heat (radiators, strong hair-dryer blasts): can damage materials.
• Wet tea bags on suede/leather unless you’re absolutely sure you can dry completely.
• Sealing damp boots in airtight containers (odor and mold love that).

Prevent boot odor (the low-effort routine that actually works)

You don’t need a complicated system—just consistent moisture control.

1. Rotate your boots (give them a full dry day when you can).
2. Air out after wear (unlace, open wide).
3. Remove insoles occasionally to dry separately.
4. Store ventilated, not sealed when damp.
5. Keep a couple of “boot sachets” (tea or baking soda) ready for weekly maintenance.

This aligns with the core scientific issue: humidity supports microbial growth and malodor production.

When DIY isn’t enough (and what actually fixes it)

DIY deodorizing works best when:

• odor is mild to moderate, and
• the boot can dry properly.

But if your boots are:

• lined,
• heavily sweat-saturated,
• or the odor is “deep” and persistent,

…you may need a proper cleaning/reset rather than more deodorizing.

A subtle London note (from Hamlet Laundry Ltd)

If you’re in London and your boots still smell after a couple of cycles—especially winter boots with liners/insoles that trap moisture—Hamlet Laundry Ltd can help you choose a safe cleaning approach (material-appropriate, no guesswork) and get them properly dried so the odor doesn’t just rebound.

(And if you’re not in London, the same principle applies: persistent odor usually needs cleaning + drying, not stronger hacks.)

FAQs

Do tea bags really remove boot odor?

They can help reduce mild to moderate odor, mainly by absorbing moisture and trapped smells. Some sources also point to tannins’ antimicrobial properties, but tea bags won’t “disinfect” boots like a true wash/sanitize would.

How long should I leave tea bags in my boots?

Overnight (8–12 hours) is a solid baseline. For stronger odor, go up to 24 hours and repeat if needed.

Should tea bags be dry or wet?

Boot-focused guidance commonly recommends dry tea bags. Some shoe-focused advice uses steeped bags but stresses drying afterward—adding moisture can backfire if boots don’t dry fully.

Can I use baking soda in leather boots?

Yes—use a sachet to avoid residue. Give it time (often up to ~24 hours) and remove before wearing.

Why does the smell keep coming back?

Because the source may still be there: sweat-soaked insoles/liners plus humidity can keep feeding microbial activity and malodor compounds. In those cases, you need cleaning + full drying, not more deodorizer.

The honest takeaway

Tea bags and baking soda are genuinely useful—when you use them the right way, on the right kind of odor. But the real “secret” is boring and effective:

Dryness beats funk. Every time.

If you want, tell me what kind of boots you’re writing this for most (leather Chelsea boots? suede? hiking/work boots?), and I’ll tailor the “material safety” and “when DIY isn’t enough” sections so the post feels even more specific—and more rank-worthy.

Still Smelling Something… Even After Trying Everything?

If your boots still smell after tea bags, baking soda, and proper drying, it’s usually a sign that odor has settled deep into the insoles or lining—where DIY methods can’t fully reach.

That’s where Hamlet Laundry Ltd. (London) comes in.

✨ Why people trust Hamlet Laundry with their boots & shoes

We don’t just “freshen” footwear—we reset it safely, using methods that respect the material and stop odor from coming back.

With Hamlet Laundry, you get:

• 🧼 Professional shoe & boot cleaning tailored to leather, suede, lined, and everyday boots
• 🧠 Material-aware care (no harsh heat, no guesswork, no damage)
• 🚚 Convenient London services – drop-off, collection, or pickup & delivery (where available)
• 🕒 Time-saving solutions when DIY methods aren’t enough
• 🌱 Gentler, responsible processes compared to aggressive at-home fixes

👃 When it’s worth letting the pros handle it

• Odor comes back within 24–48 hours
• Insoles or liners smell worse than the boot itself
• Winter boots, work boots, or lined boots that never fully dry
• You want a long-term fix, not another temporary hack

👉 If you’re in London, Hamlet Laundry Ltd can help bring your boots back to a genuinely wearable, confidence-safe state—without risking the material you invested in.

Sometimes the smartest deodorizer isn’t another trick—it’s proper care.