Your feet are getting hot, and the shoes you’re wearing are pinching your toes. You take them off, and a horrible odor comes wafting up. You’re horrified and hope that no one else notices as you shove your feet back into your shoes.
Stinky feet can be highly embarrassing. Even keeping shoes on doesn’t always contain the smell. Caused by sweat and bacteria on your feet, the smell from feet can be combated. Check out these 8 simple home remedies you can do to eliminate your stinky feet.
- Powder. Using powder to help absorb sweat and odor is a great way to combat the stink. Men’s Health recommends some inexpensive powders that you probably have in your kitchen cupboard: baking soda or cornstarch. If you want to add a little scent to your powder, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
- Antiperspirant. Applying antiperspirant to your feet may seem rather unusual; but since sweat and bacteria are the sources of the smell, Medical News Today says to apply the antiperspirant to your feet. Just as it helps keep your pits from stinking, it should keep your feet from smelling.
- Shoes.Another simple fix, says Dr. Axe, is picking the right kind of shoes. You want to wear shoes that allow your feet to breath. Avoid plastic, jelly or rubber shoes. Sandals and mesh shoes are great. Let your shoes have 24 hours to dry between wearing to completely dry.
- Socks. Men’s Health says that if you combat stinky feet, wearing cotton socks rather than nylon or polyester blends will allow your feet to keep the moisture away from your skin and minimize the bacteria breeding and smell.
- Vinegar.Stepping your battle up a notch, Best Health says that a vinegar soak each night might help. Medical News Today recommends making the soak two parts water to one part vinegar. Best Health adds thyme oil to the soak for a little extra bacteria fighting potential. Soak your feet for 15 to 20 minutes a night.
- Tea. Tea is another great soak that helps kill bacteria and fight odor. Dr. Axesays you can use any flavor of tea, but you need 4 to 5 tea bags to 1 quart of water. For a great smell, you might try the mint tea. Soak your feet for 20 minutes a day.
- Exfoliate.Since dead skin cells break down in the sweat and create a great breeding ground for bacteria, Medical News Today recommends exfoliating your feet regularly. Taking a pumice stone to your feet two to three times a week after a soak will maximize the effectiveness of your soaks.
- Epsom salt.Best Health says to mix 2 cups of Epsom salt in one-half a basin of warm water in which to soak your feet twice a day. The salt is supposed to help kill the bacteria. It’s also a great way to soften skin before exfoliating.