Home Remedies to Get Rid of Foot Odor and Cure Smelly Feet

Last updated on May 12th, 2020 at 08:11 am

Individuals who suffer from the problem of smelly feet odor know how embarrassing it gets at times, especially when they have to put off their shoes in public. The problem of bad foot odor or the smelly feet gets even worse in the hot and humid summer. I have seen many individual avoid such public humiliation by not opening their shoes at all while they are in public. But, that’s not the best way to get rid of foot odor and smelly feet. If you are having smelly feet issues then instead of avoiding it, you should get rid of it permanently.  And if you are wondering about how to get rid of foot odor naturally and permanently then here’s the post worth checking. Today I am sharing the best home remedies that’ll help you to get rid of foot odor naturally and easily.

Smelly feet can be terrible. Even if you save yourself from the embarrassment by not opening putting off your shoes in public, you have to put off shoes at home, and then it’ll affect your family members as well. So, instead of avoid smelly feet, you should look out for natural remedies to get rid of bad foot odor permanently.

You need to get to the core of the smelly feet problem and find out ways to get rid of it permanently. While there is medical cure for almost every disorder today, I personally trust in natural home remedies to deal with common issues like the smelly feet.

I have done some research on this topic and consulted some of my doctor friends as well. I found that there are natural home remedies to get rid of foot odor and smelly feet completely. Even if I don’t have this issue, a friend of mine has tried these remedies, and it has worked wonders for him. I strongly feel that if these could help my friend, it can come to the rescue of several others who suffer daily embarrassment due to smelly feet.

Bad body odor and feet odor is something that simply turns one down. It creates a really bad impression on others and so instead of tolerating it, it is necessary that you work on getting rid of it permanently. The best way to do that is to adopt the easiest natural remedies to eliminate foot odor completely. Of course I will be sharing a few remedies right here in this post, but before that, you must be well acquainted with the common causes that lead to smelly feet.

So, let us check the most common causes to smelly feet or bad foot odor.

Common causes of foot odor and smelly feet

Smelly feet or bad foot order is not something that all of us have. But there are many who suffer from smelly feet. Obviously there are some common cases of bad foot odor and listed below are the most common causes that may lead to smelly feet. If you are suffering from smelly feet issues, then you may like to avoid these causes when you can.

• Too much accumulation of sweat in your feet, then it may lead to smelly feet. When your feet sweat a lot, it becomes the breeding ground for bacteria and yeast causing the stink.
• When you wear socks and shoes for long hours without giving them any rest, this causes sweating and that may lead to smelly feet.
• If you got a habit of freaking out too often, then that may lead to bad foot odor.
• Hormonal imbalances or changes, like in case of pregnancy, puberty, post menopause, could also cause smelly feet.
• An infection that has infected your foot like athlete’s foot may cause smelly feet.
• When you do not take care of your hygiene then that may cause smelly feet.
• Standing at a stretch for a long time, more so if you stand all day long then that could be the reason for your smelly feet.
• Genetics in some cases also causes smelly feet.
• In case of injury due to the structural tissue present in the foot area (rare)
• Excessive smoking could cause bad foot odor. Nicotine increases heart beat that often makes you perspire more leading to smelly feet.
• Excessive alcohol consumption may lead to over sweating and that may further lead to bad foot odor.

Taking care of personal hygiene, using cotton shocks and changing it every day, and keeping your feet dry can help you get rid of bad foot odor and avoid smelly feet. Now, that you got an idea of the common causes of bad foot odor and smelly feet, let us move to the remedies to get rid of foot odor naturally.

Home remedies to get rid foot odor and smelly feet

Nature has gifted us with many ingredients which if you use properly may help you to get rid of many health issues, including bad foot odor. But that’s only possible, if you know how to use these ingredients, and in what combination and proportion to cure various health issues.

Today, we are talking about home remedies to get rid of foot odor and smelly feet sure. Listed below are the most effective remedies to cure smelly feet and get rid of foot odor completely.

Essential oils to cure smelly feet

One of the best home remedies to cure smelly feet is by using the essential oils. Essential oils are antiseptic and antimicrobial in nature that helps to get rid of the bacteria that causes foot odor. Several studies have already proved their efficiency against bacteria and so it would be wise of you to use them to get rid of bad foot odor. Moreover, each essential oil has a unique fragrance that will also help beat the terribly bad foot odor.

There are many essential oils that you can use to cure smelly feet. Among the various essential oils, lavender oil, eucalyptus oil and tea tree oils are most effective in curing bad feet odor. You may also use a mixture of 2-3 essential oils instead of using just one kind as well.

Method of application

Take around 8-10 drops of the essential oil of your choice and add it in a bucket half filled with lukewarm water. Then soak your smelly feet in it for 15-20 minutes. Remove your feet and pat the feet dry with a cotton towel. Continue this remedy twice everyday for a few weeks and the odor will disappear completely.

Use black tea to eliminate foot odor

Black tea can be used to get rid of bad foot odor. The reason why it works is because as per research, black tea is loaded with polyphenols and tannins that have antioxidant and antimicrobial characteristics which will help get rid of the microbes causing the stinky smell.

Method of application

Take a small tub and fill it with lukewarm water around 2/3rd. Now, take around 4-5 black tea bags and dip all of them in the water. Allow them to steep for few minutes and then remove them. After that, soak your feet inside for around 10-15 minutes. Repeat this remedy twice on a daily basis to cure smelly feet completely.

Use salt water to eliminate foot odor

In most cases, it is the excess amount of moisture or sweat that causes your feet to stink. But if you use salt water, it will help you get rid of the excess moisture thereby preventing the growth of the odor causing bacteria. Salt water is also an astringent that will further benefit you in the process.

Method of application

Take around 8 cups of hot water and pour it into a tub. Then add around half cup to 1 cup of salt to it. Stir properly to let the salt dissolve properly in the water. Now, soak the feet in the water for about 15-20 minutes. Repeat the remedy daily to permanently cure the smelly feet.

Use coconut oil to cure smelly feet

Coconut oil is very skin friendly and using it is one of the safest remedies to get rid of foot odor completely. The primary reason why coconut oil is good to cure smelly feet is because of the presence of lauric acid that studies show to be antimicrobial, which in turn helps kill the bacteria responsible for the bad feet odor.

I would also recommend you to use cedar wood oil with coconut oil because it is antifungal in nature and so both these oils when mixed together become very effective in curing smelly feet.

Method of application

First of all, wash your feet thoroughly and then pat them dry. After that, mix around 1-2 tablespoon of coconut oil with 5 drops of cedarwood oil and then apply the mixture gently on your feet. Then leave it to dry naturally. You can use this remedy on a daily basis to get rid of smelly feet permanently.

Use lemon juice to eliminate foot odor

You can also use the lemon juice to get rid of smelly feet. Lemon juice is rich in citric acid that is very much effective against the bacteria and the other microbes that causes your feet to smell badly. It is also astringent in nature that makes the pores of your skin shrink and prevent the problem of excessive sweating that is another vital reason behind bad foot odor.

Method of application

Take around ½ to 1 cup of lemon juice and pour it into a tub containing lukewarm water. Now, soak your feet in the lemony water for around 15-20 minutes. Then remove it and wash your feet using normal water. To get fast benefit in curing smelly feet, you can use this remedy daily two times. In addition, this remedy will also help in removing the tan from your feet and make it look naturally good.

Use ginger root to get rid of foot odor

Ginger is already known to have many health benefits and it can help you get rid of foot odor as well. It effectively removes the toxins and fights with the bacteria that causes bad feet smell and kill them. It also inhibits further growth of such germs which helps in getting rid of your smelly feet fast and easily.

Method of application

For getting the benefits of the ginger root, you at first have to take a little bit of it and puree it in the food processor or grinder. After that, add it to a cup of lukewarm water. Let it steep for about 15 minutes and then strain it. Now, massage your feet with the leftover ginger puree. Repeat this technique daily for few minutes and experience the difference for yourself.

Use vinegar to remove bad foot odor

You may not like the strong scent of vinegar but that is actually good in fighting the terrible smelly feet. Moreover, the acidic content and its antibacterial nature do not let the bacteria that cause the odor to thrive. Hence using vinegar is certainly one of the best remedies to remove bad foot odor completely. Since you are diluting the vinegar before using it, it is safe for you to use.

Method of application

Take around 6 cups of lukewarm water in a container and mix around ½ cup of vinegar in it. Now soak your feet into the solution for about 10-15 minutes. Now remove your feet and then wash your feet with soap. Dry your feet well. Use this solution on a regular basis to get maximum benefit in removing bad foot odor.

Use baking soda to get rid of foot odor

If you are suffering from the terrible issue of stinky feet, then it is time for you to try out some baking soda. The first reason why it is useful in curing smelly feet is because it can neutralize the pH level of the sweat which helps in reducing the smell.

Secondly, reports have already confirmed baking soda to be antibacterial that help it to fight with the bacteria and kill it, which in turn prevents infection and its associated consequences, one of them being smelly feet. Here also, we dilute it with water so it is completely safe to use to get rid of foot odor.

Method of application

Take around 1 quart of warm water in a container and add 1 tablespoon of baking soda in it. You may add more water if you need. Then soak your feet in the solution and keep it for 15-20 minutes. After that, wash your feet and pat it dry with a towel. Use this remedy for a week every night and you’ll be able to get rid of foot odor easily and permanently.

Use vodka to eliminate foot odor

Vodka is not simply meant for drinking but it can help you to get rid of the bad foot odor as well. The main reason is the alcohol contained in it that kills the bacteria, that causes the bad foot odor and reduces the stink fast.

Method of application

To get the maximum benefits in curing smelly feet, take a properly cleaned and washed cloth and then soak it in vodka. After that, wipe the feet with the clean cloth thoroughly. Repeat the remedy whenever your foot stinks.

These are the quick and simple home remedies that can help you to get rid of foot odor easily and quickly.

Foot care tips to get rid of foot odor permanently

If you are severely affected by smelly feet and then apart from trying the remedies that we discussed above, you have to adopt a proper foot care routine. Listed below are a few of the best foot care tips that’ll help you to get rid of bad odor permanently.

Maintain good hygiene

It is very important to maintain good hygiene as being unhygienic is one of the main reasons behind smelly feet. So, every time, you return home, make sure you wash your feet properly. You may use any antibacterial soap or use any one of the remedies we have discussed above. And, after washing, do not forget to dry it properly. You can use a cloth dipped in apple cider vinegar or Witch Hazel to clean the areas between your toes properly. Please ensure that there is no accumulation of sweat and dirt in your feet, once you are back at home.

Another thing that you must not forget is to clean and trim the toe nails. Untrimmed and dirty nails increase the risk of getting affected by toe nail fungus, so try to avoid that. Also, remove any hard skin using a foot file.

Maintaining good hygiene can help you to save yourself from the foot odor embarrassment easily.

Rotate the shoes

Avoid wearing the same shoes every day as that shoe odor can add up to your already smelly feet. Have 2-3 pairs of shoes and rotate them all through the week. Also, wear shoes of good quality and perfect size so that it allows your feet to breathe like for example the flip flops or the open-toed sandals. It is better if you avoid the shoes made of cloth as such materials soak up the sweat. And, when you are home, just wash your feet, dry it, and stay barefooted.

Sanitize the shoes properly

If you had a fungal infection in your feet recently, then it is always better to sanitize your shoes before wearing them again. You can use rubbing alcohol in such a case as it is a perfect disinfectant that will help prevent the growth of bacteria and other germs within your shoes. Plus, it will also act as a deodorizer.

All you need to do is to mix little amount of alcohol in water and keep it in a spray bottle. Now, spray the solution thoroughly on the inside of your shoes. After that, let it dry properly.

However, avoid spraying it on the outside of the shoe as sometimes it leads to discoloration of the exterior material.

Change your socks everyday

Now, just like the shoes, please do change your socks every day. Try to wear socks made of cotton instead of the nylon ones as they soak the sweat of your feet better. And, remember to wash the socks very well before repeating them.

Some studies show that there are sports socks that have ventilation holes in order to keep the feet dry. You may like to use those kinds of shoes to avoid smelly feet completely.

Lifestyle and diet changes

Leading a disciplined life can cure many of the health disorders automatically. If you want to get rid of your smelly feet naturally, then adopt healthy eating and living practices. First thing that you have to do is to avoid the foods containing refined carbohydrates as that serve as food to the fungus and bacteria present in your body. Instead you must have balanced proteins, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats and other anti-inflammatory foods that will help you fight the bad feet odor naturally.

Also, get rid of excess smoking habit and alcohol consumption. Making these healthy changes in your lifestyle will be instrumental in relieving you off the excess perspiration that will further benefit you in getting rid of the smelly feet.

Over to you

Smelly feet or bad foot odor is something that none of us would like to have. It is a matter of great embarrassment. No matter where you are, you can never get away with it. Covering your feet and avoiding putting off your shoes to avoid the humiliation is not a permanent solution. Instead it may actually intensify the trouble of smelly feet. The ideal solution is to try some of the remedies we have discussed above to cure smelly feet naturally and permanently. Apply these remedies and adopt healthy foot care practices and you will be able to get rid of bad foot odor easily.

I have always preferred natural ways to deal with any problem as they are not just effective but also readily available and cheap. In case of serious health issues, we have to visit doctors and take medications as advised by them. But for smaller issues like curing smelly feet, natural remedies can help you to cure it on your own.

We have already discussed about various home remedies to get rid of foot odor and to cure smelly feet completely. Apart from discussing remedies to cure bad foot odor, I have shared a few essential foot care tips that can be instrumental in dealing with smelly feet issue.

If you are tired of smelly feet and seriously want to get rid of it completely, then try some of the remedies as discussed above and adopt those essential foot care routine. I am sure it will help you cure smelly feet completely.

Have you tried any of these home remedies to cure smelly feet? Which of these remedies worked for you?

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