11 Ways to Eliminate Foot Odor
Do your feet smell bad?
This problem is scientifically known as bromhidrosis. It’s a condition that can affect any person, no matter their age or gender.
In addition to maintaining proper hygiene, to get rid of bad foot odor, you could try a few different remedies to help fight the bacteria that cause it.
Bad foot odor doesn’t necessarily have to do with poor hygiene. In reality, it could be due to a problem with the apocrine glands, which are found in the:
- Chest
- Armpits
- Genitals
- Feet
This doesn’t mean that these areas sweat more than others, just that the secretion is distinct. When fatty acid and ammonia separate, it produces the horrible smell.
Although bromhidrosis is genetic, sometimes it develops due to other conditions or illnesses. Take diabetes, for example.
Likewise, there are substances that can contribute to the foul smell. Some of these are certain spices, alcohol and tobacco. If you want to say goodbye once and for all in a simple, natural, and cheap way, pay close attention to the next section.
How Can I Make the Smell Go Away?
It’s important that those that that have this issue take measures in their everyday routine, from using talcum powder or deodorant for your feet to washing them with antibacterial soap. Washing your feet every day is a routine that reduces the number of bacteria.
In addition, those that suffer from smelly feet should wear cotton socks to allow sweating. It’s also recommended to wear shoes that breathe.
Also: 8 Easy Tricks That Will Get Rid of Shoe Odor
Remedies to Treat Smelly Feet
1. Apple Vinegar
Vinegar helps reduce acidity and maintain a healthy pH balance.
Ingredientes
- 1/2 cup of vinegar (125 ml)
- 1/2 cup of warm water (125 ml)
What Should You Do?
Add the vinegar and water to a bowl that’s big enough to submerge your feet in. Let them soak 15-20 minutes.
After this time has passed, it’s important to dry the folds of your toes really well, as the humidity could invite unwanted microbes.
We recommend that you read: 7 Natural Remedies for Athletes Foot
2. Baking Soda
It’s time to look in the cupboard! Baking soda is an excellent ingredient for controlling foot odor because of its astringent properties.
What Should You Do?
After showering and drying off, sprinkle the baking soda on your feet and inside your shoes. You’ll be surprised at how effective the results are.
3. Sage
This plant is an antiperspirant, thanks to the vitamin B and magnesium that it possesses. Plus, it also prevents excessive sweating and attacks bacteria.
You can put 2 or 3 leaves in each shoe so it absorbs the bad odor and make a good infusion to wash your feet.
Ingredients
- 10 sage leaves
- 4 cups of water (1 liter)
What Should You Do?
Heat the water, and when it begins to boil, add the sage and let it sit for 10 minutes. Remove it from the heat source and wait for it to cool.
When it’s at room temperature, soak your feet in it for 15 minutes. Then, rinse and dry your feet well.
4. Lemon
Lemons are highly acidic, which helps fight off germs and control unpleasant smells.
What Should You Do?
Wash and dry your feet well. Next, scrub them with half of a lemon and put on your socks like normal.
5. Vodka
This alcoholic beverage functions as an antiseptic for bad odors. It’s a powerful disinfectant.
What Should You Do?
Moisten a piece of cloth with a little bit of vodka and wipe your feet.
6. Salt
If you’re looking for more of a quick fix, salt is the solution. Thanks to it’s properties, it balances acid levels and reduces the amount of toxins.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons of salt (30 g)
- Hot water (as much as necessary)
What Should You Do?
Add the salt in a bucket with hot water and soak your feet for 10 minutes.
7. Alcohol
Alcohol is a bactericide that’s capable of effectively eliminating different agents that could be harmful to your health.
What Should You Do?
If you want to eliminate the bad smell, wash and dry your feet well. Then, scrub them with alcohol-soaked cotton.
8. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is one of the natural remedies that excellently treats your skin. Its disinfectant properties are capable of combating unpleasant odors.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel (30 g)
What Should You Do?
Rub the gel on clean feet. Wait for them to dry, then wipe away the residue with a towel.
9. Radish, Ginger, and Lime
The combination of these ingredients are synonymous with certain success. Ginger is a naturally antibacterial, while radishes and limes function as astringents.
Ingredients
- 1 radish
- 4 ginger roots
- The juice from 1 lime
What Should You Do?
Grate the radish and the ginger. Mix them with the lime juice until it creates a paste. Apply it to clean and dry feet, wait 20 minutes, then rinse.
Also read: 6 Ways to Use Lemon as a Natural Cosmetic
10. Lavender
A few drops of lavender oil will help you say goodbye to smelly feet since it has antibacterial properties.
What Should You Do?
After washing your feet, massage a few drops of lavender oil onto them. You will see how this essential oil can eliminate the odor.
11. Black Tea
The stronger, the better! Black tea helps with pH balance. This is due to its high amount of tannin, which are substances that build resistance to heat and attack germs.
What Should You Do?
Make black tea. Once it’s cool, add it to a container big enough for your feet and soak them for 30 minutes. After the time is up, rinse your feet and dry them well.
Repeat this process as many times as you’d like for one week.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
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- Semkova K, Gergovska M, Kazandjieva J, Tsankov N. Hyperhidrosis, bromhidrosis, and chromhidrosis: Fold (intertriginous) dermatoses. Clin Dermatol. 2015;
- Yagnik D, Serafin V, Shah AJ. Antimicrobial activity of apple cider vinegar against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans; downregulating cytokine and microbial protein expression. Sci Rep. 2018;
- Orchard A, Viljoen A, Van Vuuren S. Antimicrobial Essential Oil Combinations to Combat Foot Odour. Planta Med. 2018;