We have not one, but nine solutions for these poor souls. These are simple home remedies that you can easily do in the privacy of your room and get rid of that reeking odor. Read on to know about these natural and effective home remedies.
Home Remedies To Eliminate Foot Odor:
1. Essential Oils
2. Tea Foot Soak
3. Salt Water
4. Bleach
5. Sodium Bicarbonate
6. Coconut Oil
7. Epsom Salt
8. Lemon Juice
9. Vodka
Time To Get Rid Of Those Smelly Feet
1. Essential Oils
You Will Need:
- 8-10 drops of essential oil (eucalyptus, lavender or tea tree oil)
- Half a bucket of warm water
What You Have To Do:
- Add the essential oil to the warm water and soak your feet in it for 20 minutes.
- Remove your feet from the water and pat them dry.
Instead of using just one type of essential oil, you also create a simple concoction of two or three of them.
When You Need To Do This : Soak your feet in this essential oil water twice a day for a few days.
Why It Works?
Essential oils have many beneficial properties. They have antiseptic, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties that kill the odor-causing bacteria on your feet. Their fragrant smell will linger on your feet and cover the bad smell till you completely get rid of your foot odor. These oils also have a soothing effect on the skin, mind, and body (1).
2. Tea Foot Soak
You Will Need:
- 4-5 black tea bags
- Hot water
- A small tub
What You Have To Do:
- Fill two-thirds of the tub with hot water and dip the tea bags in this water.
- Let them steep for a few minutes.
- Remove the tea bags and soak your feet in this water for 10-15 minutes.
When You Need To Do This : Repeat this twice a day.
Why It Works?
Black tea is rich in tannins and polyphenols, which possess antioxidant and antibacterial properties and help you get rid of smelly feet (2).
3. Salt Water
You Will Need:
- 1/2 to 1 cup salt
- 8 cups hot water
- A small tub or a large bowl
What You Have To Do:
- Pour the hot water into the tub and add the salt. Stir for a couple of seconds so that the salt dissolves.
- Soak your feet in this water for 20 minutes.
When You Need To Do This : Do this once or twice times daily for a few days.
Why It Works?
Salt absorbs the excess moisture in your feet, thus reducing the bacterial growth that is causing your feet to stink. It also acts as an astringent (3).
4. Bleach
You Will Need:
- 1/2 cup household bleach
- A small basin with hot water
What You Have To Do:
- Add the bleach to the water and stir it.
- Soak your feet for 10 to 12 minutes.
When You Need To Do This : Repeat this twice daily.
Why It Works?
Bleach is used to sanitize various surfaces around the house. Soaking your feet in this potent solution will kill all the bacteria and fungi that are growing on your feet and causing the foul odor (4).
Caution:
Bleach can cause skin irritation and/or inflammation. If you experience any such irritation, immediately remove your feet from the soak and wash them thoroughly with fresh water.
5. Sodium Bicarbonate
You Will Need:
- 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
- 7-8 cups of hot water
- A foot basin or a small tub
What You Have To Do:
- Add the soda powder to the hot water in the foot basin. Let it dissolve.
- Soak your feet in this water for 15 minutes.
When You Need To Do This : Repeat this two times a day.
Why It Works?
Sodium bicarbonate has antibacterial properties (5). It neutralizes the foul odor and softens your feet at the same time.
6. Coconut Oil
You Will Need:
- 1-2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 5 drops cedarwood essential oil
What You Have To Do:
- Wash your feet thoroughly and pat dry.
- Mix the cedarwood oil in the coconut oil and apply this mixture to your feet. Massage it well so that it is absorbed by the skin easily.
- Let the oil air dry.
When You Need To Do This : Repeat this every day till your feet stop smelling.
Why It Works?
Coconut oil contains lauric acid that kills the bacteria present on your feet (6). Cedarwood essential oil possesses antifungal properties (7). Combining these oils makes a potent and effective home remedy for foot odor.
7. Epsom Salt
You Will Need:
- 1/2 cup Epsom salt
- A small basin or tub of hot water
What You Have To Do:
- Add the salt to the water and stir well to dissolve it.
- Soak your feet for 20-30 minutes.
When You Need To Do This : Do this twice a day for a couple of days.
Why It Works?
The magnesium content in Epsom salt absorbs the excess moisture from the skin, thus killing the bacteria responsible for the bad smell (8). It also reduces any inflammation that might be present, softens your skin, and soothes aching feet (9).
8. Lemon Juice
You Will Need:
- 1/2 to 1 cup lemon juice
- A small tub of hot water
What You Have To Do:
- Pour the lemon juice into the tub of water and soak your feet in this for 15 minutes.
- Wash with regular water once done.
When You Need To Do This : Do this twice a day for quick relief from foot odor.
Why It Works?
The citric acid present in lemon juice kills the bacteria and reduces foot odor (10). It also has astringent properties that will shrink your skin pores and help deal with excess sweating (11).
9. Vodka
You Will Need:
- Vodka
- Washcloth
What You Have To Do:
- Soak the washcloth in vodka and wipe your feet thoroughly with it.
When You Need To Do This : Repeat this if required.
Why It Works?
The alcohol present in vodka will kill the odor-causing bacteria on your feet and reduce the foot odor (12).
What Causes Foot Odor?
One of the main causes of foot odor is excessive sweating. The increased moisture level on the skin of your feet is an ideal environment for bacteria and fungi to grow. These microbes multiply and increase in number while releasing a strong, bad odor.
Apart from excessive sweating, bad hygiene can also cause your feet to smell. Socks made from unbreathable materials or not changing your socks every day can also result in an increase in bacteria on your feet. Other reasons include excessive hair on feet and medical conditions such as hyperhidrosis that cause excessive sweating (13).
How Can I Prevent Foot Odor?
You can easily maintain healthy and normal smelling feet by ensuring proper hygiene. Some easy tips that you can follow to prevent foot odor include:
- Washing your feet after removing your shoes and drying them every day
- Exfoliating your feet
- Wearing breathable cotton socks
- Changing your socks daily
- Wearing open-toed shoes or shoes made of breathable fabric
- Keeping your shoes dry and aired out
- Rotating your shoes daily
In conclusion, keeping your feet and your shoes dry are essential to avoid smelly feet.
source: stylecraze.com
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