Your foot is a residing place for millions of bacterias. These bacterias usually thrive on your skin cells and dried sweat. By-products produced by these bacterias make your feet to smell bad and cause foot odor.
Foot odors can also be caused due to certain infections like athlete’s foot. Many studies point out the fact that people with diabetes, and heart diseases and senior citizens tend to develop foot odor and foot infections.
If you have foot odor and struggling hard to make your feet smell better, then try these simple natural home remedies to quash your problem.
1. Use antiperspirant
Yes, you can use the same antiperspirant you are using for your underarms to your feet and make it less sweaty. Simply spray or roll on some before putting on your shoes.
2. Wash Your Feet Using Antibacterial Soap
Antibacterial soaps leave some chemical compounds on your skin even after washing it off. These chemicals will suppress the action of odor-causing bacterias and make your feet smell better.
3. Use a Hair Dryer
Use a hair dryer and warm your feet using dry air. Make sure you are using lowest temperature. Dry warm air will prevent infections and reduces moisture on your feet.
4. Try Black tea Footbath
Add one cup of freshly prepared black tea to two quarts of water in a basin. Dip your feet in it for about 30 minutes every day. This will kill off the bacterias and make your feet to sweat less.
5. Try Vinegar and thyme oil foot bath
To a basin of warm water add one cup of vinegar and few drops of thyme oil. Soak your feet in it for 15 to 20 minutes. This will kill off odor-causing bacterias and make your feet smell better.
6. Rub on Some Lavender Oil
Lavender oil has a really pleasant smell and not just that, it has antiseptic properties that kill off bacterias. Rub a few drops of lavender oil to your feet before putting on your shoes, and before going to bed at night.
Note: Quit using the oil if it causes skin irritation.
7. Try Epsom Salt Bath
Take one or two gallons of warm water in a bucket, and add two cups of Epsom salt into it and mix it well. Soak your feet into the solution for 15 to 20 minutes. Epsom salt with reduce sweating, and kill off odor-causing bacterias.
8. Apply Benzoyl Peroxide
Rub on 5% or 10% benzoyl peroxide cream or gel to the bottom of your feet before going to sleep at night. It has powerful antibacterial properties that will fight against odor causing bacterias.
9. Dust Your Feet With Talcum Powder
Dust your feet with some talcum powder or foot powder before putting on your shoes. This will absorb the odor-causing sweat and make your feet smell better.
10. Change Your Socks Everyday
Using the same socks multiple times a week will make the odor causing bacterias to thrive in it and invite foot odor. Try to replace your socks every day with a clean pair.
11. Opt for Cotton Socks
Cotton socks will absorb the moisture and make your feet breath better. Always try to opt for cotton socks over polyester ones which can serious elevate your foot odor in no time.
12. Store your shoes in the open
Never store your shoes in the dark and closed area. Bacterias thrive in dark and closed spaces. Keep your shoes in open and well-ventilated areas.
13. Use Odor Absorbing Insoles
Get some odor absorbing insoles, ensure they are accurately cut to fit your shoes, and replace it every three to six months with a new pair of insoles.
14. Remove the insoles
If your shoes come with removable insoles, then try to remove it every time you remove your shoes and wash them one or two times a week.
