Ways to Keep Your Shoes Fresh and Odor-Free During Humid, Rainy Days

During humid and rainy seasons, shoes tend to absorb moisture easily, which often leads to unpleasant odors. To keep your feet comfortable and your shoes smelling fresh, try the simple and effective methods below.

1. Use Dried Tea Bags or Dry Coffee Grounds to Remove Odor

Dried tea bags and coffee grounds have a naturally pleasant scent and excellent moisture-absorbing properties. Simply place a few dry tea bags, dried coffee grounds, or completely dried used coffee grounds inside your shoes overnight.
By the next morning, they will have absorbed excess moisture and reduced unpleasant odors significantly.
For an even better result, use fragrant tea such as jasmine or green tea.

2. Use Table Salt or Fine Salt

Salt is not only an effective deodorizer but also has antibacterial properties. Put a few spoonfuls of salt in a thin tissue or napkin, wrap it, and place it inside your shoes.
Leave it overnight and remove it the next day.
If available, you can also put salt in a small tray or cup and place it inside the shoe without covering it—this helps the salt absorb odors and moisture even faster.
Avoid using damp or iodized salt to prevent clumping.

3. Old Newspaper and Essential Oils (or Menthol Oil)

Old newspaper—especially the type without glossy coating—absorbs moisture very well. Add a few drops of menthol oil or another essential oil to a sheet of newspaper, crumple it, and place it inside your shoes.
By the next morning, your shoes will smell fresh and be noticeably drier.
This method is especially useful for leather shoes, which should not be exposed to direct heat.

4. Place Shoes in the Freezer

A lesser-known trick is to put your shoes in the freezer. Low temperatures help eliminate odor-causing bacteria and reduce moisture.
Make sure to place the shoes in a sealed zip-lock bag before putting them into the freezer to keep them clean and prevent moisture from entering.
Leave them for 8–12 hours, then air-dry naturally.

5. Spray Alcohol Inside the Shoes

Light alcohol evaporates quickly and has disinfecting and deodorizing effects. Spray a small amount of alcohol—or strong liquor—inside the shoes and let them air-dry.
The alcohol will kill bacteria and neutralize odors, leaving your shoes fresher and more breathable.
Avoid soaking the shoe lining to prevent damage.

6. Use Dried Citrus Peels (Orange, Lemon, Tangerine)

Citrus peels contain natural essential oils that effectively mask unpleasant odors. Keep the peels in the refrigerator or air-dry them, then place a handful inside your shoes overnight.
They will release a mild fragrance while also absorbing moisture.
This is a gentle, natural method safe for all types of shoes.

7. Use Menthol Oil (Dầu Gió)

Menthol oil is made from natural herbal oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus, and camphor. It has a strong, refreshing scent that helps neutralize shoe odors quickly.
Add a few drops directly inside the shoe or onto a tissue and tuck it inside.
This works especially well for sports shoes or shoes worn for many hours.

8. Use Dried Herbs

Dried herbs like basil, sage, or mugwort have both antibacterial and moisture-absorbing properties. Put a small amount of these dried herbs in a breathable pouch and place it inside your shoes.
They help reduce humidity and leave a pleasant, natural fragrance.

9. Cinnamon Essential Oil or Cinnamon Powder

Cinnamon is known for its strong antibacterial effects and its long-lasting warmth. Sprinkle a little cinnamon powder onto a small tissue, wrap it, and place it inside your shoes.
Alternatively, apply a drop of cinnamon essential oil to a cotton pad and leave it inside overnight.
Cinnamon adds a warm, comforting scent and helps keep your feet dry and healthy.

10. Baking Soda

Baking soda is a powerful deodorizer found in most households. Sprinkle baking soda into the shoe crevices or put some into a small tissue pouch before placing it inside the shoes overnight.
Its alkaline nature neutralizes the acidic sweat that causes foot odor.
Baking soda can also be used to clean small stains on the shoe surface.

11. Cat Litter (Unused)

Clean, unused cat litter is designed to absorb moisture and control odor extremely well. Place some cat litter into a small fabric pouch and put it inside your shoes overnight.
By the next day, your shoes will feel noticeably drier and less smelly.
Choose dust-free, unscented types to avoid residue.

12. Baby Powder

Baby powder absorbs moisture effectively and leaves a light, fresh scent. You can sprinkle a small amount directly into your shoes or place some in a tissue bag and leave it inside overnight.
The next morning, your shoes will be dry, fragrant, and more comfortable to wear.
This method is especially useful during hot, humid days.