How to get rid of bad feet odor?

23 scientifically proven ways to get rid of bad feet odor

1- Ensure good hygiene. Wear slippers and avoid walking barefoot, especially when entering the toilet

2- Soak your feet. Put a handful of eucalyptus leaves in a large pot, pour two liters (67 fl oz) of boiling water over the leaves, simmer for about 7 minutes, strain the solution into a large foot tub, and soak your feet in this water for 15-20 minutes. Repeat this 3 times a week

3- Take a foot bath that removes toxins and bacteria from the body. Put a handful of malva sylvestris leaves (common mallow leaves) in a large pot, add 67 fl oz (two liters) of water over the herb and bring it to a boil, strain this solution into a foot tub, fill the foot tub with lukewarm water, and soak feet in it for 20 minutes, wash your feet with lukewarm water and soap. Repeat twice a week.

4- Fill one foot tub with lukewarm water, add two tablespoons of sea salt and half a cup of dried lavender, stir, soak feet in it for 20 minutes, wash your feet with lukewarm water and soap, use a towel to dry your feet and legs, then mix a few drops of jojoba oil with a few drops of ginger oil, a few drops of grapefruit oil, and a few drops of peppermint oil, and massage your feet with the oils to improve circulation and to get rid of bad foot odor.

5- Try a homemade foot bath. Put a handful of oak leaves with acorns in a large pot, add three tablespoons of chopped fresh rosemary, pour two liters (67 fl oz) of boiling water over the oak leaves and acorns, and steep for 10 minutes, strain this solution into a foot tub, add 10 liters (2.6 gal) of lukewarm water into the foot tub to fill it, and soak your feet in this solution for 20 minutes. Do this four times a week. Alternatively, put a handful of oak bark in a large pot, add three tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary, pour 67 fl oz (two liters) of boiling water over the oak bark, steep for about 10 minutes, strain this solution into a foot bath bucket, add 2.6 gal (10 liters) of lukewarm water into the foot bath bucket to fill it, and soak your feet in this solution for about 20 minutes. Do this three times a week.

6- Wear cotton socks and change them daily. Never wear the same pair of socks twice without washing them, especially if your feet start smelling when they get damp or if you have a potential fungus in your shoes. Avoid wearing synthetic socks, such as polystyrene, nylon, or acrylic socks

Change the socks you wear everyday.

7- Wear leather shoes, sandals and sneakers. Avoid wearing shoes without socks. Plastic, polyester, nylon, or other synthetic footwear fabrics will make your feet sweat, especially in summer. Moreover, synthetic footwear fabrics don’t absorb sweat and don’t allow it to evaporate either, so your feet stay wet and stinky.

Wear shoes with more breathable fabrics to reduce foot-sweat and odor

8- Wash feet then message using essential oils, like lavender oil, tea tree oil, rosemary oil, eucalyptus oil, malva sylvestris oil or extract

9- Use a DIY foot powder. Use Powders, such as baby powder, baking soda, corn starch, and talcum powder, especially especially if you feel like you’re suffering from excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis). Powders are said to absorb sweat and moisture.

10- Change your diet. Avoid foods that trigger sweating or strong smelling, like processed foods, fatty foods, spicy foods, sodium, onions, garlic, caffeinated drinks, smoking, beer and other alcoholic beverages.

11- Try vinegar foot soak. Fill one foot soaking bowl with lukewarm water, add two cups of apple cider vinegar, one cup of epsom salt (magnesium sulfate), half a cup of dried lavender, and half a cup of sea salt, stir, and soak feet in it for 15-20 minutes, wash your feet with lukewarm water and soap. Do this three times a week. Alternatively, add one cup each of epsom salt, sea salt, and white vinegar in a large bowl, fill this bowl with lukewarm water, stir and soak feet in it for 20 minutes. Do this three times a week.

12- Wash your feet with soap, dry your feet with a towel and use an antiperspirant or a spray deodorant on your feet.

13- Put activated charcoal or carbon insoles in your shoes for a tighter fit and for additional comfort, insoles can also help to reduce foot odor and keep your feet dry.

Wear a clean pair of cotton socks when you wear shoes to prevent most sweating

14- Use a foot scrub. Scrub between your toes to remove the dead skin and bacteria and wash the tops and soles of your feet with lukewarm water and antibacterial soap (olive oil based soap) every day.

15- Fill a plastic large foot tub (a bowl) with boiling water, then add a few black tea tea bags, steep for about 15 minutes, and soak your feet in this solution for about 20 minutes. Do this three times a week.

16- Switch shoes. Change the shoes you wear everyday and put them in an open space.

17- Insert a Crumpled-up newspaper into your shoes when you’re not wearing them, as it absorbs moisture in your shoes, especially when you’re not wearing them.

18- Use shoe deodorizer bags, such as Activated Charcoal Shoe Deodorizer Inserts, or Carbon Activated Bamboo Charcoal Air Purifiers. Simply place the carbonite odor eliminator bags inside your shoes when you’re not wearing them to freshen the air around them. Alternatively, use Natural Cedarwood Shoe Deodorizer, Insert Cedar Bag Inserts (Natural Anti-Odor Shoe Insoles) into your shoes when you’re not wearing them. The cedar absorbs the moisture, fights bacteria that causes foot and shoe odor, and freshens your sneakers and sport shoes.

19- Get rid of shoe odor with used coffee grounds. After making coffee, let the coffee grounds dry then put them into a bag, or stockings, secure with staples and place inside your shoes when you’re not wearing them.

20- Eat foods that reduce sweat production, like whey, oats, almonds, sweet Potatoes, olive oil, water-dense fruits and vegetables, and calcium-rich foods, such as cheese and dairy

21- Stay fit and lose weight if necessary

22- Manage your stress and anxiety levels, as anxiety causes the sweat glands to release sweat. Additionally, medical conditions, such as diabetes, hormonal imbalance, and thyroid disorders can all cause excessive perspiration.

23- Eat two teaspoons of honey a day before bed every night

Verified by: Dr.Diab (March 27, 2018)

Citation: Dr.Diab. (March 27, 2018). How to get rid of bad feet odor?. Medcoi Journal of Medicine, 7(2). urn:medcoi:article20334.