The development of cost-effective point-of-use (POU) devices that effectively remove lead (Pb) from drinking water is imperative in mitigating the threat of Pb contamination to public health in underdeveloped regions. Herein, we have successfully transformed inexpensive natural kaolinite as hydroxy-sodalite (HySOD) via a simple hydrothermal process, achieving an impressive yield of 91.5 %. Remarkably, HySOD demonstrates excellent selectivity and affinity towards Pb