Do foot odor remedies work?
Whether a home remedy is going to be enough to eliminate your foot odor depends on what’s causing it … and what you consider “smelly.” If you don’t want your feet to have any odor, we’ve got bad news: Your feet will always have a smell. But home remedies can usually improve the scent and intensity — at least a little bit. Still, there are some cases of smelly feet that great hygiene can’t fix. As Dr. Rowland explains, those situations usually require a doctor’s appointment to resolve.
How to get rid of smelly feet
Here’s some easy-to-follow advice from Dr. Rowland on how to stop stinky feet in their tracks...
1. Soak your feet
Thoroughly cleaning your feet requires more than just rinsing them in a quick shower. Dr. Rowland recommends soaking your feet. For a salt soak, dissolve half a cup of Epsom salt in a tub or large bowl of warm water and soak for about 10 to 20 minutes. Dr. Rowland says that Epsom salt pulls moisture out of your skin, making it a less inviting place for bacteria to hang out.
For a vinegar soak, combine two parts water with one part vinegar in a tub or large bowl of warm water and soak for 15 to 20 minutes once a week. You can use either white or apple cider vinegar. Vinegar makes your skin inhospitable to bacteria.
One note of caution: Don’t use this soak if your feet have open sores, scratches or cuts, or if the soak irritates your skin. If you prefer the shower, it’s important to wash your feet thoroughly using a washcloth. And be sure to scrub between your toes!
2. Keep your feet dry
Whatever method you choose, be sure to dry your feet well after bathing, soaking or swimming. Unpleasant odor comes from moisture, so it’s important to keep feet, shoes and socks as dry as possible, Dr. Rowland says. If your feet get sweaty as the day goes on, put an extra pair of moisture-wicking socks in your bag and change your socks at lunchtime or after your workout.
3. Keep your toenails clean and trimmed
Proper toenail care can make a big difference in how your feet smell. Clean under your toenails regularly to prevent the buildup of dirt, bacteria, fungi and other yucky stuff.
It’s also important to keep your toenails trimmed. It’s sort of a Goldilocks thing. If your toenails are too long, it’s easy for moisture and debris to get caught under them. If they’re too short, you risk infection from an ingrown toenail. If you’re not sure how long is too long — or you aren’t able to cut your own toenails — leave it to the professionals. If you have healthy feet, a trip to a nail salon should do the trick. But if you have a medical condition that affects your feet (like diabetes or foot ulcers), make an appointment for a “medi pedi” or see a podiatrist instead.
4. Exfoliate
Bacteria don’t just feed on sweat. They also love dead skin. Shut down the buffet by exfoliating with a scrub or pumice stone at least once a week.
5. Disinfect your shoes
Are your shoes surrounded by a green cloud of odor even when you’re not wearing them? You don’t have to throw them away. A general-purpose disinfectant spray like the kind you use in your kitchen can take care of the gnarly smell coming from your kicks. Look for a kitchen spray that contains ethanol and other sanitizing ingredients that kill the bacteria. “Take the insole out of the shoe, lightly spray the insole and let it dry for 24 hours. Then, when you put the insole back in the shoe, you’ve treated the shoe,” advises Dr. Rowland.
6. Use powder
If you notice that your feet sweat, you could try an over-the-counter foot antiperspirant. Or go the home-remedy route and sprinkle a little cornstarch into your shoes to keep your feet dry. “You can even use a regular underarm antiperspirant — that will definitely help to control the moisture,” shares Dr. Rowland.
7. Go barefoot indoors
The less time your tootsies spend crammed into socks and shoes, the less time they spend bathing in sweat. Just be sure your floors are clean and free of debris. The last thing you want is a cut on the bottom of your foot.
Going barefoot at home is only a good idea if you aren’t at risk of significant complications from a foot injury. Don’t do it if you have diabetes.
8. Make good footwear choices
If you’re struggling with smelly feet, what you wear on your them really matters. Whenever possible:
- Wear open, breathable shoes (that aren’t too tight!) to minimize sweating
- Opt for footwear made of natural materials like leather or cotton
- Avoid wearing the same shoes every day, so they have the time they need to dry out
- Pair your shoes with clean cotton socks
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