Foot Odor Home Remedies
Get Rid of Smelly, Stinky Feet With |
Foot odor is caused by bacteria. Bacteria thrives in moisture and because your feet sweat inside your shoes, the conditions are perfect. The solution to smelly feet is threefold:
- keep your feet dry
- keep your socks clean
- kill the bacteria in your shoes
Wash your feet every day and always wear a clean pair of socks. If you are in an occupation where you sweat heavily, change your socks at least once during the day. Some people find wearing cotton or wool socks helps the problem but others don't. The color of the socks does not matter. White socks are no better than colored. The most important thing is to wear clean socks every day. Putting vinegar in the rinse water when you wash the socks seems to help.
Make sure your feet are dry before you put on your shoes. Dry your feet well including between the toes after a bath.
Wear shoes made of natural materials. Shoes made with rubber or synthetic materials do not allow your feet to breath and moisture from sweat collects. Sweat plus bacteria plus warmth equals foul smelling odor. Wear a different pair of shoes every day so each pair has a chance to really dry out.
Foot Odor Home Remedies - Tips
- Sprinkle some corn starch into your shoes each morning. This will absorb any moisture from sweat and keep your feet dry. Vacuum out your shoes each evening and refresh with new corn starch the next day. You can also use baby powder for this.
- We use antiperspirants under our arms to control perspiration and odor. We can do the same thing for our feet. Apply your normal underarm antiperspirant to your feet each morning before putting on your socks.
- The food you eat can affect the way your feet smell. The aroma of garlic and onions can emerge through your sweat glands. While this can occur all over the body, it seems more pronounced in your feet.
- Make a homemade shoe deodorizer using dried lavender. Put the lavender leaves inside a nylon knee-high sock. Tie the opening into a knot and place one inside each shoe.
- Wash sneakers in soap and water and let them dry naturally. Spray with Febreeze.
- For shoes that cannot be washed, rub the inside surfaces with oxyclean. Just make a paste with the oxyclean and a little water. Let the shoe dry thoroughly and then brush out the insides with an old toothbrush.
- Use an antibacterial soap to wash your feet.
Foot Odor Home Remedies - Foot Soaks
Make a foot soak using black tea bags. Soak four or five tea bags in hot water for a few minutes. Add this to warm water in a plastic basin. Soak your feet for 20 to 30 minutes. The tannin in the tea will help keep your feet dry. You will need to do this twice a day. Be sure to dry your feet thoroughly afterwards.
Baking soda or vinegar will make your feet more acidic and will reduce odor. Add one or the other - not both at the same time to a basin of hot water. Use this as a foot soak twice a week.
Alum added to a basin of water and used as a foot soak works for some. Add about a teaspoon of alum to the water and soak for half an hour.
Tea Tree Oil added to a foot soak is also affective. You have to add quite a bit though. Tea Tree Oil is antibacterial.
Your feet will be smelly if you have a fungal infection such as athletes foot. Read Athletes Foot Home RemedyDisclaimer: Always consult your medical professional before trying any homemade treatment. This site is designed for informational purposes only and is not rendering medical advice or professional services. Return to Home Remedies for Common Ailments from Foot Odor Home Remedies Return to Essential Home Remedies from Foot Odor Home Remedies
