Dreading taking your shoes off and being met with a blast of horrid odor from your feet? Stinky feet can be unappealing and embarrassing but it’s a common enough problem. So what exactly is making your tootsies smell?
Excessive sweating and bacteria on your feet are usually responsible – bacteria on your skin breaks down sweat, which in turn gives off that cheesy odor as it decomposes. Fungal infections like athlete’s foot can also make your feet smell. And while anyone can get a bad case of smelly feet, pregnant women and teenagers may be more susceptible because their hormones make them sweat more. You’re also more likely to have sweaty feet if you are on your feet a lot, are under stress, or suffer from a condition known as hyperhidrosis which causes excessive sweating.
# Dust With Baking SodaBaking soda or sodium bicarbonate can absorb moisture as well as odor. So wash your feet, dry them thoroughly, and then dust with this commonly available kitchen staple before putting on your socks and shoes. This will soak up perspiration and make it difficult for bacteria to grow.
# Use An Arrowroot Foot PowderUsing a foot powder made of moisture-absorbing arrowroot and various antimicrobial essential oils can keep odor-creating bacteria and fungi from multiplying. One case study found that when a woman used a foot powder made of arrowroot, baking soda, tea tree oil, basil oil, clove oil, and sage oil, before enclosing her feet in socks and shoes for eight hours, it completely inhibited the growth of yeast, mold, fungi, and aerobic bacteria. So make some sweet-smelling foot powder and you can go about your day without worrying about stinky feet!
# Make An Apple Cider Vinegar SoakThe acidity of vinegar makes it effective against bacteria and fungi that grow on your feet. To clear out microorganisms that can stink up your feet, add a cup of vinegar to a basin of warm water. Now soak your feet in this solution for around 20 minutes a couple of times a week.
# Try A Tea Tree Oil Foot BathTea tree oil has been traditionally valued for its antibacterial properties and is even effective at treating fungal foot infections.
Here’s how you can use the wonderful properties of this essential oil to combat smelly feet. Add approximately half a cup of apple cider vinegar to about a liter of hot water and mix in 10 drops of tea tree oil. Soak your feet for 15 minutes to half an hour and allow them to air dry.
# Soak In Epsom SaltsEpsom salts are a commonly used remedy for foot odor. Soak your feet in a solution of Epsom salts and water for 15 minutes a couple of times a day to get rid of any bad smell. Epsom salts are said to lessen perspiration and may even kill bacteria.
# Wipe With Lemon Oil
When life hands you lemons, deodorize your feet! Now, you might be aware of lemon’s sterling reputation as a household cleaner but did you know that they can keep your feet smelling sweet? According to research, lemon oil has antibacterial properties.11 So you can use their power to give your feet a nice citrusy fragrance. Dilute 10 drops of lemon oil in an ounce of water, add in some fresh lemon juice, and wipe the stink away.