Taking care of your feet is a very important part of personal hygiene. It helps in keeping your feet from smelling, which can be a major cause for embarrassment. One of the most common causes of foot odour is moist and unclean feet, which become a breeding ground for odour-producing bacteria. Looking after your feet also contributes to their health and well-being. Luckily, you don’t have to go to great lengths to look after your feet. Even if you do experience the occasional bout of smelly feet, here are some great home remedies that will help you get rid of the odour and avoid a hefty bill from the physician.
*The remedies for stinky feet mentioned below will be effective when used continuously until the odour goes away, and are not to be substituted for medical advice. Remember, if the problem persists, consult your physician.
Rock salt has been known to be effective against foot odour. Just dissolve a handful in half a bucket of warm water, soak your feet in it for half an hour, rub them clean, and then pat or towel dry them. Let them air out. Don’t cover them up. Repeat until necessary.
[ Read: How To Make Your Feet Soft ]
The deodorant you use for your body odour can be helpful against foot odour too. Just make sure it is anti-bacterial as well as anti-perspirant so as to reduce sweating and thus, the build-up of nasty bacteria.
Another stinky feet home remedy that apparently works wonders is cornstarch. This odorless powder can do wonders at keeping your feet squeaky clean. Dust the inside of your shoes with some cornstarch to keep away moisture and prevent odour.
Know that hand sanitizer you keep in your handbag for those times there’s no wash basin around and you want to enjoy a quick bite? Clean your feet with it! It’s been known to help eliminate stinky odour from the feet.
[ Read: Monsoon Feet Care Tips]
Always make sure you wear dry socks and shoes. Your feet should also be dry when you wear them, as wet feet attract foul-smelling bacteria. If you have soles that sweat, dab some talcum powder to soak up the moistness.
As colorful and fancy synthetic socks may look, resist the temptation to pick several pairs of them on a shopping spree! Cotton socks allow your feet to breathe freely, thus keeping them dry and preventing sweat build-up which causes odour.
Baking soda is the go-to solution for a lot of minor ailments. This is also a good home remedy for stinky feet. It is a fabulous cleaning and conditioning agent. Soak your feet in 1 bucket of lukewarm water with 1 cup of baking soda for 20 minutes. Pat them dry and keep them uncovered throughout the night.
[ Read: Benefits of Baking Soda ]
Steep 2 tea bags in boiling water for 15 to 20 minutes. Add some cool water to bring it to a bearable temperature. Immerse your feet in this black tea solution for 30 minutes to remove smell-causing impurities. Repeat the process every day for one week.
Mix vinegar and water in a ratio of 1:2. Soak your feet in this mixture for 15-20 minutes. Let them dry on their own. Vinegar is excellent at absorbing smells. Dust your feet with some talcum powder before you put on your footwear.
Rubbing alcohol, also known as Isopropyl alcohol, is brilliant at cleansing and inhibiting the growth of odour-causing organisms. Wash your feet thoroughly with water and soap. Dry them and then apply generous amounts of rubbing alcohol. Be careful, as rubbing alcohol can be poisonous if ingested.
Take one tablespoon of alum powder. Add it to 1 cup of lukewarm water. Wash your feet with the alum water. Wait for 15-20 minutes and then leave your feet to dry. After this, sprinkle some amount of alum powder on your feet. Repeat this process every day. Alum reduces the bacterial growth.
Take a bucket full of lukewarm water. Add a few drops of lavender oil. Soak your feet for close to 15-20 minutes. Repeat the process twice a day for a few days.
Take a bucket half full of lukewarm water. Add two tablespoons of Epsom salt. Soak both your feet in the water for close to 10-15 minutes. The ideal time to soak your feet in the water is just before you go to bed. Epsom salt has the property to minimize the foul odor that your feet give off.
Make a thick paste of sugar, water, and isopropyl. Make sure the quantity of sugar is higher than that of water. In five parts of water, add one portion of isopropyl. Scrub your feet with this thick sugar paste mixture for 10 to 15 minutes. Rubbing the paste kills bacteria on your feet. Now, wash your feet with water to clear off the sugar paste. Repeat the process thrice in a day for one week.
Take a ginger root and make a puree out of it. Add the puree to a cup of hot water. Now, heat a coffee filter to strain the mixture. Use the filtered liquid to massage your feet before you go to bed every night. Do this every day for two weeks.
There are two ways of how you can use the sage leaves. One way is to leave dried sage in your shoes. It helps to absorb foul odor and give off a nice scent.
The second way is to soak your feet in sage tea for 15 minutes. You can also drink sage tea.
Sprinkle borax powder on the inside of your shoes. It helps to reduce the foul odor from your feet.
By using the simple and practical home remedies for stinky feet given above, you can rid your tootsies of their smelly woes and at the same time keep them feeling good and healthy. Healthy and odorless feet will make you less conscious and give you the proverbial skip in your step. Healthy feet make for happy feet. Happy feet mean a happy person. Go get yourself some happiness!
If you have other suggestions of how to get rid of feet odor, do share with us in the comments section below!