Love wearing shoes but worried about the odor your feet might give off after keeping them on for a while? Foot odor can be embarrassing, especially when someone else smells it on you. While you could visit your doctor for a solution, there is a simpler way to get around the problem of smelly feet. Wondering what? Read on to know what causes foot odor and what you can do to prevent it.
What Causes Your Feet To Smell?
Every part of your body sweats – even your feet. When you use footwear that completely covers your feet, your feet start sweating to cool off. However, the sweat doesn’t evaporate, resulting in a moist environment suitable for bacterial growth. Bacteria start multiplying on your feet, leaving behind a horrid smell.
Here are 5 great home remedies you can try to get rid of foot odor.
5 Home Remedies For Foot Odor
1. Salt Water
You can get rid of nasty foot odor using something as simple as salt. Salt shrinks the cells of the bacteria causing the odor, destroying them and removing the stink.
How To Use
- Add about 1/2 a cup of sea salt to 4–6 cups of warm water. You may also choose to add an essential oil of your choice if you like.
- Soak your feet in this solution for about 15 minutes.
- Then, pat your feet dry without rinsing your feet.
2. Baking Soda
While baking soda is, of course, great for cleaning around the house, it’s also great for getting rid of nasty foot odor. Baking soda creates an alkaline environment on your feet that destroys the existing stink-causing bacteria on your feet and prevents more from growing.
How To Use
- Add 1 tbsp of baking soda to a quart of water.
- Soak your feet in this solution for about 15 minutes.
- Then, dry your feet thoroughly. Repeat this for a few days.
- You can also try sprinkling some baking soda in your shoes to prevent smelly feet.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is not only helpful for relieving acne but also a great remedy for smelly feet. It eliminates the bacteria causing the odor by creating an acidic environment on your feet. However, some people are troubled by a vinegar-like foot odor; if this is the case with you, avoid the apple cider vinegar remedy.
How To Use
- Add 1/2 a cup of organic apple cider vinegar to 1 quart of warm water.
- Let your feet soak in this solution for about 15 minutes.
- Then, use soapy water to rinse your feet to get rid of the vinegar smell and pat dry.
- Do this at least thrice a week to get rid of the foul foot odor.
4. Black Tea
If you love black tea, you’ll be amazed to know that it can get rid of your foot odor thanks to its antibacterial properties. Not just that, it can also reduce excessive sweating by closing up your pores.
How To Use
- Soak 3 black tea bags in 3 cups of boiling water.
- Let it steep for about 20 minutes.
- Remove the tea bags, and dilute the tea with warm water – enough for you to soak your feet in.
- Let your feet soak in this solution for about 20 minutes; then, rinse with plain water.
5. Alum Powder
Alum powder, which is often used for pickling, is also effective against foot odor. It absorbs your sweat, creating an unsuitable environment for bacterial growth and eliminating foot odor.
How To Use
- Sprinkle some alum powder on your feet and rub gently to remove the moisture. Don’t miss the tough spots like the gaps between your toes.
- You could also add alum to your shoes to absorb moisture and prevent bacterial growth.
Apart from these remedies, here are simple steps you can take to reduce the growth of the bacteria causing foot odor.
- Wash your feet every day, and dry them thoroughly after washing – especially between your toes.
- Avoid wearing the same shoes every day. Alternate between a few pairs.
- Use socks made of materials that breathe like cotton.
- Wash your shoes and socks as often as possible so that they stay clean and prevent bacterial growth.
Try these simple remedies to ward off the foul odor that bacterial growth on your feet brings with it.
