Foot soaks to get rid of smelly feet

Having foot odor is one of the most embarrassing conditions someone can have. It can literally cause an anxiety attack whenever you’re visiting a friend or a family member and you know you’ll have to take off your shoes before entering their home.

The common culprits that cause smelly feet are bacteria and fungi. The bacteria feed on the sweat if you have hyperactive sweat glands and the byproducts are the pungent fumes.

Luckily, you don’t have to live with smelly feet forever. Some people would rather run straight to the doctor for medication but you can also choose to try home remedies like foot soaks.

Home foot soaks only need a few ingredients and consistency to clear out the fungi and bacteria.

Here is all you need to get started.

Vinegar soak

Apple cider vinegar has been used for health and beauty purposes for years. It’s usually used as a weight loss remedy, a hair rinse or even a toner when it comes to skin care.

In this case, it also comes in handy because it has both antifungal and antibacterial properties. It will quickly fight the odor causing microorganisms and restore your confidence once again.

To make the soak, dilute a bit of the vinegar into a bucket of warm water and soak your feet for a few minutes. Don’t forget to wash your feet with soap and water first.

Epsom salt soak

Epsom salt has also been both a beauty and health hack. It can be used as muscle pain relief, constipation remedy and some even say that it helps to supply your body with enough magnesium through a soak.

Unknown to many, it is a popular remedy for foot odor because it reduces the bacteria and fungi on your feet and it reduces excessive sweating at the same time.

All you need to do is dissolve a few spoons of Epsom salt into a bucket of warm water. You can also add a few drops of essential oils like peppermint which will also help the salt kill bacteria.

Soak for 15 minutes and repeat this soak a few times a week.

Tea tree oil soak

Tea tree is one of the most effective natural ingredients when dealing with odor. You can buy a prepackaged foot soak formula or make one at home.

This also has amazing antifungal and antibacterial properties that will leave your feet smelling heavenly.

As you enjoy your foot soak, you’ll also experience the benefit of the therapeutic properties it has.

Mix a few drops of the oil with carrier oil into a basin of warm water then soak your feet for a few minutes.

You can also mix in some Epsom salt too for added benefits.

Black tea foot bath

The active property that deodorizes your feet is tannic acid. The tea also controls sweating, which keeps your feet dry.

Brew two tea bags for about 15 minutes then remove the bags and dilute the tea. Allow it to cool before soaking your feet. Use the strong black teas if you can because those work best.

Soak for 30 minutes and rinse. Repeat this every few days for quick results.

All these methods work but you should also be keen to make some changes to your routine to increase their effectiveness of your treatments. Here are some adjustments to consider:

Only wear breathable shoes and socks. Dry your feet properly in between the toes when you’re from showing. This ensures the bacteria and fungi won’t have a chance to multiply. Keep your toe nails short and clean. Exfoliate regularly to remove dead skin cells.

Should you have a history of medical conditions like diabetes, it is advisable to consult your doctor first before doing the home foot soaks.

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