Whether you’re an active individual or simply feeling the summer heat, nobody likes to experience foot odour. Fortunately, there are lots of different home remedies you can try yourself that will help you tackle this issue. Here, we’re going to look at several easy ways to tackle foot odour at home.
Vinegar Soak
To make a vinegar soak, mix one measure of vinegar with two measures of tepid or warm water in a basin, and soak your feet for half an hour. Repeat this every day for at least a week. The vinegar will dry out the bacteria that causes foot odour, and neutralise the smell. For this, you have the option of using either white or apple cider vinegar.
Salt Bath
Another option is to give your feet a warm salt bath using either kosher or Epsom salt. Add half a cup of salt to 8 cups of warm water, and soak your feet for half an hour. You can do this once or twice a day, as often as you like. An added benefit to this option is that the heat and salt will also help with aching feet.
Tea Bath
About one-sixth of our bodies’ sweat glands are located on the feet, which explains why foot odour can be such a pervasive problem for many people. Before you put your feet in the water, it is absolutely essential to give it time to cool down, as the most effective way to make this bath is with boiling water. Put 5 black tea bags in your basin, boil a kettle of water, and pour it in. Once the water has cooled, which should take about 15 minutes, soak your feet for 20 minutes. It is crucial that you allow the water to cool before soaking. If your toes in particular are too hot when inserted, wait another few minutes before proceeding.
The acidic properties of black tea will close the sweat glands, as well as killing the bacteria on the skin, making this a very effective option when done correctly.
Natural Socks
Materials like nylon or poly blends don’t breathe as well as their natural alternatives, which means your feet will sweat more, and the bacteria will be trapped. Go for lighter, cotton socks, and you should see a reduction in the level of smell.
Powders
There are lots of different deodorisers and inserts you can buy that will help tackle smelly shoes, but plenty of everyday powders will work as well. Talcum powder or corn starch are both popular choices, but baking soda is the most effective. An advantage to this option is that it can be used in conjunction with all of the above, and can give instant results. You can leave the powder in overnight, or simply put your shoes on straight away and head out.
Foot odour is a perfectly normal issue, but fortunately, one that can be tackled with relative ease. In addition to the above advice, you should try to let your feet out of your shoes and socks as much as you can, wear sandals, and change your shoes and socks regularly. Do all this, and you should notice a dramatic difference in no time.