Your feet have over 250,000 sweat glands producing about one cup (500ml) of sweat per day. That is some serious moisture! There are also individuals with an abundance of sweat glands worsening the problem as well as the smells that come with it. The cheesy feet theory isn’t all myth either because the gases that the bacteria on the soles of your feet produce are similar to those that bacteria used in producing cheese gives off.
In essence, sweat on its own is actually odorless. It is when it comes into contact with bacteria that things go south and start getting smelly. In severe cases, some strains of bacteria can even begin to eat away at the top layers of your skin. Add to the mix a combo of stuffy shoes, socks, and sweat on your feet, and you have the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive in.Use our great tips and tricks and finally break free from the evil stink that tends to emit from your feet every now and then. Here are our seven top foot soaks that help fight smelly feet:
# The Vodka SoakYou can actually just wipe your feet with this mix too because both wiping and soaking have the same effect and potency in getting rid of stinky feet.
For wiping, simply wipe your feet down with a washcloth that has been soaked in vodka, which helps to kill bacteria and gets rid of any foul odor.
For soaking, mix equal parts of water and vodka and let your tootsies soak in that solution for a good 10 minutes.
# The Potassium Permanganate Foot BathThis is probably one of the most potent foot soaks out there. Permanganate of Potash, also known as KMn04 or Potassium Permanganate packs potent fungi and bacteria-killing chemicals to help get rid of smelly feet.
For soaking, add a tablespoon of potassium permanganate to one quart of water. The mix turns dark purple, and then just kick back and soak for about 30 minutes.
Important side note: Potassium permanganate foot soaks can make your toenails and calluses turn brown, this, however, is totally harmless and will fade away soon.
# The Apple Cider Vinegar Soak
Apple Cider Vinegar seems to be heaven-sent and cures just about anything, from aiding in weight loss, relieving allergies, and clearing up sinusitis, this golden liquid also tackles stinky feet. Apple cider vinegar helps kill bacteria and dries up excessive sweat, the leading causes of smelly feet. But, we also love it because it’s cheap and super effective.
For soaking, add ½ a cup of apple cider vinegar to a quart of lukewarm water and soak up for around 20 minutes. Doing this twice-weekly will get the best results.
# The White Vinegar SoakMore affordable and a great alternative to apple cider vinegar, white vinegar is widely popular due to its natural disinfecting and deodorizing abilities.
For soaking, mix up one part white vinegar with 4 parts water and soak your feet in the mix for about 30 minutes to help get rid of stinky feet.
# The Listerine SoakSo who would have guessed that Listerine isn’t only good for killing oral bacteria? Listerine not only helps to kill foot bacteria but can also be used to treat Athlete’s foot and all other nasty foot fungus. Mouth wash, with its antiseptic properties, is also good for reducing the amount of sweat your feet produce after soaking, as well as deodorizing your feet.
For wiping, dab some Listerine (or other mouthwash) on a washcloth and give your feet a good rubdown after showering.
For soaking, mix one-part mouthwash with two parts of warm water and let your feet soak in the solution for about 20 minutes.
# Epsom Salt and Essential Oil Foot Soak
Epsom salt is super versatile and aids with loads of different issues such as bloating, detox, skin exfoliation, slimming and of course, getting rid of stinky feet. Rich in magnesium sulfate, Epsom salt neutralizes foot odor, softens the skin, reduces inflammation, and soothes aching feet.
For soaking, use a cap full of Gold Mountain Beauty's Foot Soak and a bucket of warm water. Soak your feet for 10-15 minutes. You can do this multiple times a day for maximum results.
# The Baking Soda and Tea Tree Oil Soak
Versatile and cheap, baking soda is an all-star and really works hard at fighting stinky feet. Mix that magic up with some Tea Tree Oil, and you’ve got a winning solution. Baking soda helps control odor and kills bacteria and fungi. Tea Tree Oil is known for its antimicrobial action, as it has been clinically proven to fight odor and kill bacteria. It’s also an antiseptic, antibiotic, and antifungal and has anti-inflammatory effects. This soak does it all.
For soaking, add about 20 drops of tea tree oil and ½ a cup of baking soda to a foot basin with warm water. Soak your feet for about 15 minutes, twice a day for best results.