Smelly feet or foot odor can be embarrassing for people suffering from this problem. This problem occurs when the feet sweat and the sweat doesn’t evaporate since you are wearing socks or shoes. Sweat itself doesn’t result in foot odor, it’s the bacteria growing in the sweat and feeding on the feet’s dead skin cells that lead to the foul smell. Some major reasons for this problem include poor personal hygiene, wearing same shoes daily without allowing leaving the sweat to completely dry out, excessive stress and tension, hormonal changes in pregnant women and teenagers and hyperhidrosis. Eliminating foot odor is not difficult because there are a lot of ways on how to get rid of foot odor naturally. Here’s a list of natural and time-tested remedies to eliminate smelly feet without any side effects which are collected by Beauty Talk site. Now you can stop embarrassing yourself among the friends and family because of your foot odor and use all of these remedies to eliminate foot odor permanently.
Top 25 Ways On How To Get Rid Of Foot Odor Naturally & Fast You Shouldn’t Skip
1. Eat Foods Rich In Zinc
A lack of zinc can cause scaly and dry feet along with odor. Unhealthy skin is often composed of more bacterial as well as other micro-organisms which lead to foot odor. Consuming zinc rich food daily helps to reduce this problem effectively. Some of the foods rich in zinc include poultry, oysters, crab and lobster, pumpkin and squash seeds, red meat, spinach, wheat germ, mushrooms, beans, dairy products, almonds, and cashews, etc. You need to add these foods to your diet to provide enough amounts of zinc to the body.
2. Change Your Socks Daily
“ The foot feels the foot when it feels the ground – Buddha.”
Changing your socks daily is also a very simple way on how to get rid of foot odor naturally. Always try wearing dry and clean socks. Basically, the socks absorb the sweat when your feet sweat. They dry out when taking them off. The sweat will reheat & produce bad smell if you wear the similar socks the second day. You need to consider changing the socks one time during the day & never wear the same sock following day. Turn your socks inside out while washing them because this will help to remove the dead skin flakes. Plus, you always try wearing socks made of wool or cotton, depending on the weather. You need to avoid wearing non-absorbent material socks because the moisture will get trapped around the feet resulting into a friendly home for bacteria to live.
3. Rotate Your Shoes
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You don’t put the same shoes over 2 days in a row. You need to rotate them, so they dry out completely. It often takes at least a day for them to wholly dry out. You should take out the insoles to leave the shoes to dry out completely. If the shoes get wet, you just need to place crumpled newspaper inside them to leave them to dry out quickly overnight.
4. Open-Toes Shoes & Sandals For Foot Odor Removal
They leave your feet to breathe. Plus, they leave the air to flow circulates around the feet. Your feet sweat much less and remain cool with this process. When you need to put shoes during the winter months, ensure that you wear canvas or leather shoes, since they leave your feet to breathe. Don’t wear plastic or rubber shoes.
5. Exfoliate
Generally, we often forget about the feet when exfoliating the body. All the dead skin cells of the feet work as a food supply to smelly feet causing bacteria. Thus, ensure to scrub the feet periodically to remove calluses, dead skin cells, and corns. Furthermore, you should practice right personal hygiene and wash your feet with a soap and lukewarm water.
6. Keep Your Shoes Clean And Dry
This tip is also a great way on how to get rid of foot odor. Never store away your sweaty and damp shoes in a closet after getting back home because this acts as the great breeding ground for the development of bacteria. Instead, you need to keep the shoes in an open place to dry out totally overnight.
7. How To Get Rid Of Foot Odor With Essential Oils
Generally, essential oils are used widely in aromatherapy and spa treatments to relax and calm the mind and reduce stress. With their antiseptic, antimicrobial and antifungal properties, essential oils can kill bacteria responsible for the foot odor. Plus, these oils comprise a soothing effect on your skin, mind, and body as well.
You need to prepare:
- Essential oils (lavender, eucalyptus, or tea tree oil) – 8 to 10 drops
- Warm water – ½ a bucket
Directions:
Add the essential oil (8 to 10 drops) to the warm water. Later soak your feet in this solution for 20 minutes. After that, remove the feet from it and pat them dry. You should soak the feet in this wonderful essential oil water 2 times a day for a couple of days.
8. How To Get Rid Of Foot Odor Using Black Tea Foot Soak
Basically, black tea is packed with polyphenols and tannins, which possess antibacterial and antioxidant properties. They help you remove smelly feet. It also works as a potent remedy for hair fall. Here is a method on how to get rid of foot odor with black tea:
You need to prepare:
- Black tea bags – 4 to 5
- A small tub
- Hot water
Directions:
Use hot water to fill 2/3 of the tub and immerse 4 to 5 tea bags in the water. Allow them to steep for a couple of minutes. Remove these tea bags and now soak your feet in the water for around 10-15 minutes. To get beneficial results, repeat this two times a day.
9. How To Get Rid Of Foot Odor with Coconut Oil
Coconut oil helps to destroy the bacteria present on the feet thanks to its lauric acid. Cedarwood essential oil in this remedy possesses antifungal properties that also aid in removing smelly feet. The combination of coconut oil and cedarwood essential oil makes an effective and potent home remedy for removing foot odor.
You need to prepare:
- Coconut oil – 1to 2 tbsp
- Cedarwood essential oil – 5 drops
Directions:
Wash the feet thoroughly at first and pat dry. Later mix the cedarwood oil (5 drops) in the coconut oil (1 to 2 tbsp) and apply this combination to your feet. After that, massage it gently so that it’s absorbed by your skin easily and allow the oil to air dry. It is recommended to repeat this remedy daily till the feet stop smelling.
10. How To Get Rid Of Foot Odor Using Lavender Oil
The most effective remedies on how to get rid of foot odor must include lavender essential oil. It owns the potent antifungal and antibacterial properties, which aid in killing the bacteria causing the infection and leading to foot odor. This oil is suitable for all of us even if one has irritated or sensitive skin, broken skin, blisters or cracked heels thanks to its mild & soothing nature.
You need to prepare:
- Lavender oil – a few drops
- Warm water
Directions:
Add lavender oil (some drops) in warm water to make a soothing foot soak. Then, juts soak the feet in this awesome infusion for twenty minutes and pat dry. To eliminate foot odor permanently, repeat this soak twice daily for some days.
11. How To Get Rid Of Foot Odor Using Epsom Salt Remedy
Many people often use Epsom salt to eliminate foot odor and at the same time, achieve smooth & soft skin. It has the ability to battle microbial infections and helps to neutralize foot odor. Additionally, it reduces sweat in the feet since it comprises the astringent properties. Moreover, Epsom salt rids the body of the toxins such as fungus, bacteria, and dead skin cells, thereby also relieving aching feet owing to its detoxifying properties.
You need to prepare:
- Epsom salt – 2 tsp
- Warm water – ½ a bucket
Directions:
Firstly, you add the Epsom salt in the warm water. Then, dip your feet in this soak for around 15 minutes every night prior to bedtime. Repeat this nightly ritual every day to remove smelly feet totally.
12. How To Get Rid Of Foot Odor Using Ginger
Ginger is a popular ingredient in every kitchen. It is known for treating various health ailments and issues because it contains potent medicinal properties. Plus, ginger oil is used as a great natural cure for scalp psoriasis. The detoxifying properties found in ginger enhance healthy sweating and boost the protein dermcidin production that moves to the skin’s surface and protect against microorganisms including fungi and bacteria causing infection and foot odor as well.
You need to prepare:
- Ginger root – 1 medium-sized piece
- Hot water – 1 cup
Directions:
Take a ginger root piece and crush it to create a thick puree. Later steep the ginger puree in the hot water for fifteen minutes. Then, strain this liquid and now massage your feet with it at night before bedtime. You should repeat this treatment every day for 1 week to obtain amazing results. Alternatively, you can grind some ginger to attain a smooth paste and apply the paste to the feet and rinse with warm water after fifteen minutes. Follow this simple cure regularly.
13. How To Get Rid Of Foot Odor with White Vinegar
White vinegar is often used as marinate for different dishes and is used in home remedies for hair and skin as well. You can easily treat the problem of dull hair with the help of white vinegar. Besides, it is an expensive way on how to get rid of foot odor naturally. Soaking the feet in vinegar forms an acidic environment that is not good for bacteria causing foot odor. Besides, it helps to eliminate the nasty foot smell.
You need to prepare:
- White vinegar – ½ cup
- Hot water – 6 cups
- Lavender oil – several drops
Directions:
You add the white vinegar to the hot water and to it, add the lavender oil. Thereafter, steep your feet in the solution for 15 minutes and finally, use soap to wash your feet. Repeat the remedy 1 time every day for desirable results.
14. How To Get Rid Of Foot Odor Using Alum Powder
Alum comes with powerful astringent and antiseptic agents, which make it a functional home remedy for smelly feet. It helps to prevent the bacteria growth in your feet causing foot odor. Plus, the astringent properties found in alum aid in shrinking the sweat glands on the feet. Moreover, alum has antiperspirant properties so it is used widely in deodorants.
You need to prepare:
- Alum powder – 1 teaspoon
- Warm water – 1 cup
Directions:
You mix the alum powder it in the warm water and later wash your feet with the help of this solution. Leave it to absorb for a gap of 15 and 20 minutes. To obtain the best results, repeat this method one time every day.
15. How To Get Rid Of Foot Odor With Apple Cider Vinegar
The best natural remedies for foot odor must include apple cider vinegar (ACV). This remedy will show immediate results. ACV has few uses for skin and hair care as well. Plus, if you’re planning to reduce weight, then use apple cider vinegar. ACV will create the acidic environment making the bacteria survive difficultly. Moreover, it helps to regulate the skin’s pH level and eliminate the odor-causing bacteria quickly.
You need to prepare:
- Apple cider vinegar – ½ cup
- Warm water – 5 cups
Directions:
Firstly, you add the ACV to the warm water and mix well. Later immerse the feet in this resulting concoction for around 15 minutes. Repeat this cure 2 times per day for a week to achieve wonderful results. Also, you can steep your socks in ACV.
16. How To Get Rid Of Foot Odor Using Boric Acid
This is another awesome answer to the question about how to get rid of foot odor naturally. Boric acid is commonly derived from the sodium salts, boron mineral, and oxygen. It is used in antiseptics, soaps, wood preservatives, or pesticides, etc. Especially, it’s mildly and acidic toxic that helps to ease the molds and bacteria responsible for this foot odor.
You need to prepare:
- Borax – ½ cup
- Vinegar – ½ cup
- Water – 2 cups
Directions:
Add together the borax and vinegar to the water. Next, stir it well and now wash the shoes in this solution. If your shoes are non-washable, then you use this solution to fill a spray bottle and spray into them. You can also sprinkle some of this powder into your shoes. It is advised to follow this way 2 times a week.
17. Bleach For Foot Odor
Another excellent remedy on how to get rid of foot odor is using bleach. Bleach will help you to eliminate the stinky smell from your foot. It comprises a compound that prevents the growth of the bacteria responsible for foot odor.
You need to prepare:
- Bleach – 2 tsp
- Water – ½ a bucket
Directions:
Firstly, add the bleach to the water and later soak the feet in it for around 15-20 minutes. When you complete this remedy, apply baby oil because bleach can dry the skin. Do this process regularly to prevent and eliminate foot odor.
18. How To Get Rid Of Foot Odor With Baking Soda
Baking soda is a popular ingredient for treating almost all types of hair and skin problems. It’s an effective remedy for dandruff. Plus, it stabilizes the skin’s pH level and inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungus causing the odor. Apart from that, baking soda helps to make the skin of the feet soft and smooth as well.
Method 1:
Lemons present in this remedy have astringent properties, which help to lower sweat production and give a refreshing scent to the feet.
You need to prepare:
- Baking soda – ¼ cup
- Lukewarm water – 8 cups
- Lemon juice
Directions:
Firstly, add the baking soda to the lukewarm water and add to it, add the juice of a whole lemon. After that, soak your feet in the resulting infusion for around 20 – 25 minutes and lastly, dry your feet.
Method 2:
This method has the ability to remove the moist from your shoes and kill the bacteria.
You need to prepare:
- Baking soda – 3 tbsp
- Dried sage leaves – 3 tbsp
Directions:
Stir the baking soda together with dried sage leaves together. Later store it in an airtight container and sprinkle some of this mixture into your shoes. Then, shake them to cover the area and leave the whole day or overnight. Afterward, take the excess mixture out of the shoes. You should follow this simple process regularly.
Method3:
You need to prepare:
- Baking soda – ½ cup
- Peroxide – ½ cup
- Body wash – ½ cup
- Lukewarm water
Directions:
At first, stir the peroxide, baking soda and body wash in a tub that is filled with lukewarm water. Then, immerse the feet in the solution for 20 minutes. Remove dead skin cells and clear the bacteria by rubbing your feet with a pumice stone. Pat dry feet by using a clean towel and repeat this process daily.
19. How To Get Rid Of Foot Odor Using Sugar Scrub
Flushing out the deposits of calluses and dead skin cells from the feet by using regular exfoliation is one of the best methods to eliminate foot odor. A natural scrubber cleans your feet and prevents the formation of calluses and corns as well, some of the main causes of foot odor. A combination of sugar, isopropyl alcohol and water makes one of the best home remedies to get glowing skin. Plus, the alcohol kills the bacteria while the sugar scrub fades the dead skin cells.
You need to prepare:
- 91% isopropyl alcohol – 1 part
- Water – 5 parts
- Sugar – 7 to 9 parts
Directions:
Mix the isopropyl alcohol with the water and the sugar to create a grainy mixture. Soak the feet in some warm water for around 10 minutes prior to using the sugar scrub. Thereafter, use this mixture to scrub your feet for 10 minutes. Finally, wash your feet by using water. It is recommended to repeat this treatment thrice a week for desired results.
20. Oatmeal Scrub For Foot Odor Removal
Generally speaking, the oatmeal benefits for losing weight are numerous because it is high in complex carbs & fiber. But it’s also used in natural remedies for the skin. Oatmeal serves as a powerful exfoliating property. This scrub is also a good way on how to get rid of foot odor naturally and fast.
You need to prepare:
- Oatmeal – 2 tsp
- Lukewarm water – 1 cup
Directions:
You need to make a scrub by adding oatmeal (2 teaspoons) to lukewarm water (a cup). Later rub this resulting scrub on the feet and massage gently for 12 minutes. After that, use lukewarm water to wash the scrub away and pat dry the feet. This process needs to be followed 4 to 5 times weekly.
21. How To Get Rid Of Foot Odor with Salt & Water Soak
As you know, excessive sweating is considered as one of the major causes of foot odor. Salt water can help to curb excessive sweating by removing moisture from the skin, thereby reducing a number of bacteria. Plus, it helps to exfoliate the skin and eliminate the dead skin cells. Use moderately kosher salt or coarse pure salt for this remedy.
You need to prepare:
- Kosher salt – 1cup
- Lukewarm water
Directions:
Firstly, add kosher salt (a cup) in 1 tub of lukewarm water. Later soak your feet in the resulting concoction for 20 minutes. It is advised to repeat this cure 1 time daily for two weeks to fight against foot odor.
22. How To Get Rid Of Foot Odor With Tea Tree Oil
You can use tea tree essential oil for curing a variety of skin problems. The oil is also an amazing natural cure for pimples and acne as well. In addition, it helps to ease foot odor naturally and fast by healing fungal infections like athlete’s foot. Apart from that, it helps to neutralize foot odor. For more beneficial results, you can combine tea tree oil with water or a few other carrier oils.
You need to prepare:
- Tea tree oil – 8 drops
- Water – 1 cup
Directions:
You simply add the tea tree oil to the water. Later apply this water on the feet and leave it to air dry. You need to repeat this simple cure every night prior to bedtime. Alternatively, you can mix the oil with lavender oil and later apply the mixture straight to the feet every night.
23. How To Get Rid Of Foot Odor Using Radish
Basically, radish is filled with phosphorus, zinc, certain B vitamins and vitamin C. It also has a disinfectant agent which plays a vital role in inhibiting the foot odor. In addition, radish treats the skin disorders by inhibiting the bacteria as well as other micro-organisms to remove the foot odor quickly and naturally. So, how to get rid of foot odor using radish? Follow the methods below:
Method 1:
You need to prepare:
- Radish paste
- Ginger paste
- Lemon juice
Directions:
Mix the three ingredients in a bowl. Next, apply the solution to the feet and slightly massage for 5 minutes. Wait for about 10 minutes and then, wash with water. To get rid of foot order soon, repeat 2-3 times per week.
Method 2:
You need to prepare:
- Radishes – 6
- Warm water
- A foot basin
Directions:
Extract the radish juice by cutting and grinding them. Later in a foot basin, mix the juice with warm water. Soak your feet for twenty minutes and pat dry. You should repeat regularly in order to obtain good results.
Method 3:
You need to prepare:
- Radishes – 12
- Glycerin – ¼ tsp
Directions:
Extract the radish juice by cutting and grinding them. Then, add the glycerin to it and stir well. Take an empty spray bottle and pour this mixture in it. When you have the odor, use it to spray on your feet.
24. How To Get Rid Of Foot Odor With Sage Leaves
Sage leaves comprise anti-fungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties which help to destroy the bacteria and prevent the foot odor too. These leaves also contain tannic acid which consists of astringent property which helps to shrink the sweat glands on your feet temporarily, thus lowering the production of sweat.
Method 1:
You need to prepare:
- Hot water – 8 cups
- Fresh sage leaves – 10 or dried sage leaves – 1 tsp
- A foot basin
Directions:
Take the water to fill a foot basin and add either 1 tsp of dried sage leaves or 10 fresh sage leaves. Leave it to steep for 13 minutes. Place the feet in the resulting water and allow it to soak for 25 minutes. Then, remove the feet from the water and dry thoroughly. Repeat the cure regularly. Alternatively, you can consume 1 cup of sage tea prior to going to bed. You can also put the dried ground sage inside the socks and shoes so it absorbs the smelly feet.
Method 2:
Sage and rosemary both have powerful antifungal and antibacterial characteristics which aid in destroying foot odor responsible for bacteria, making them a helpful natural cure for smelly feet.
You need to prepare:
- Dried sage – 2 tsp
- Dried rosemary – 1 tsp
- Warm water
- A foot basin
Directions:
Take enough warm water to fill a foot basin and later add the dried sage and dried rosemary. Later stir them well and let it steep. Thereafter, soak the feet for about thirty minutes. To reduce foot odor soon, repeat this cure 1 to 2 times per day.
25. Cloves For Foot Odor Removal
Clove contains a sweet smell, which is often used to combat the smelly feet and acts as anti-fungal & antibacterial agents. It is considered among the most valuable cure for removing foot odor. So, how to get rid of foot odor naturally with cloves? Follow the method below:
You need to prepare:
- Some cloves
- Water
Directions:
Take some cloves at first and later boil them in one pan of water. Then, add the water to a bucket filled with water. After that, soak your feet in the resulting mixture and relax for 20 minutes. The process should be followed daily for the more beneficial results.
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With these methods, you can easily eliminate or curb foot odor. Try different remedies until you find a suitable remedy for you. Consult a doctor immediately if you still don’t get relief. We hope that this article is useful for you. Apart from this article, there are multiple articles present on our site; you can visit out main Health page to read more.