How To Get Rid of Smelly Feet – 8 Effective Home Remedies

Smelly feet is a medical condition which is called bromodosis. We know it can be very embarrassing, but fortunately, the treatment options are quick, easy and affordable. There are many easy home remedies which can definitely help in reducing foot odour. You only need to follow the tips regularly and carefully.

What Causes Foot Odour?

If you feel troubled because of smelly feet, you must first try to understand the cause of it. You will then be able to decide what exactly you need to do to treat or prevent it. The causes of bromodosis are as given below:

• The feet smell because of lack of ventilation which may happen if you wear tight shoes.
• Bacteria that live on the skin thrive in the sweat of the feet and give out an acid which causes the stink.
• Sometimes feet smell because of athlete’s foot which is a kind of skin infection caused by fungus.
• Wearing poor quality shoes and overwearing shoes can cause smelly feet.
• Some diseases and certain medications make the feet sweat a lot, causing stinky feet.
• Poor hygiene is also responsible for smelly feet. The foot odour worsens when dirty and damp socks are worn again and again.

8 Natural Remedies for Stinky Feet

There are some tried and tested effective solutions which can eliminate the smell from feet. Foot care and proper hygiene is the best solution to it. Here are some home remedies:

1. Ginger Root

Ginger root is known to be effective against foot odour.

What You Need To Do:

• Soak ginger puree in a cup of hot water.
• Apply the solution every night after straining.

Positive results can be seen within two weeks. It inhibits bacterial growth and toxins are removed.

2. Talcum Powder/Baby Powder

It is a popular way of reducing the problem of sweaty and stinky feet.

What You Need To Do:

• Sprinkle talcum powder on your feet generously.
• The process should be repeated two or three times a day for combating the problem.
• The powder can even be sprinkled in the shoes.

3. Sugar Scrub

Sugar scrub aids in removing calluses and dead skin which helps to reduce the foul odour.

What You Need To Do:

• Create a thick mixture with water, sugar and isopropyl alcohol.
• The feet should be soaked in warm water and then scrubbed with the mixture for 5 to 10 minutes to remove bacteria and dead skin cells.
• The process should be repeated at least thrice a week.

4. Boric Acid

Boric acid helps in eliminating foot odour by killing odour-causing bacteria.

What You Need To Do:

• A little boric acid should be dusted on the feet regularly.
• Take 2 cups of water and mix half cup each of white vinegar and boric acid.
• Spray the inside of your shoes with it.

5. Cedarwood Oil

Cedarwood oil is an essential oil used in aromatherapy. It can combat foot odour because of its antiseptic, antifungal and antibacterial properties.

What You Need To Do:

• Take 1 spoonful of virgin coconut oil and mix it with 5 drops of cedarwood oil.
• Massage the mixture on the feet and let it get absorbed.
• The process should be done for a week (once daily).

6. Baking Soda

Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate neutralises the sweat pH and reduces bacteria. This is why people commonly use baking soda for smelly feet.

What You Need To Do:

• For one week, soak your feet in warm water mixed with baking soda for 10 to 15 minutes every day.
• Sprinkling baking soda in the socks and shoes before wearing them is another remedy.

7. Lavender Oil

Lavender oil has a good fragrance and is effective in treating foul odour because of its antifungal and antioxidant properties.

What You Need To Do:

• Take warm water and add a few drops of lavender oil to it.
• You need to soak your feet in it for 15 to 20 minutes.
• It should be done twice daily for a few days.

8. Black Tea

For treating smelly feet at home, black tea can be used as an effective remedy. It kills bacteria and closes the pores, thus reducing the sweat.

What You Need To Do:

• In three cups of water, boil 2 black tea bags. Lower the temperature and add some water.
• Keep your feet soaked in it for 15 to 20 minutes.
• You need to do this daily for almost a week.

Easy Tips To Prevent Sweaty and Smelly Feet

Some easy tips to prevent stinky feet are:

• You must exercise proper foot care and hygiene.
• The feet should be washed with mild soap daily.
• Toenails should be trimmed regularly.
• Remove hard skin with a foot file.
• Change your socks regularly.
• Alternate your footwear so that shoes get time to dry.
• Try wearing sandals and shoes which are breathable, and are either made of canvas or leather.
• Use medicated insoles for deodorising the inside of shoes.

FAQs

1. How To Prevent Shoes From Becoming Smelly?

Smelly feet make the shoes also stink. The causes may be the overuse of shoes, bacterial or fungal infection, lack of aeration, etc.  If you wish to get rid of the smell, you need to be careful about certain things.

• Do not wear shoes that are incredibly uncomfortable.
• Wear breathable shoes to cut down on the foot odour and sweat.
• Keep an alternate pair of shoes to wear.
• Shoes should be aired outside from time to time.
• Keep odour control insoles in the shoes.
• Apart from this, the feet must be kept clean always.
• Spray deodorant on the feet.
• Sprinkle baby powder in your shoes or on your feet.
• Deodorise your feet with baking soda.
• Keep your feet covered with clean socks always.

2. How To Prevent Sweaty and Smelly Feet While Wearing Flats and Heels?

There are some easy ways to prevent smell when you are wearing flats and heels.

• The no-show pedi socks are a good option to prevent the sweating of feet.
• Getting rid of foot odour is possible by dusting some powder on the feet or in the shoes before wearing them.
• You must wash your feet properly every day.
• Sometimes cheap quality footwear makes it stinky.
• If high heels are not of breathable material, they start stinking. Rubber, plastic, synthetic and leather cause the feet to sweat and bacteria builds up easily.
• Personal hygiene is of great importance as it helps in preventing odour.
• Use antiperspirant on the feet to minimise sweating.
• Foot spray also helps a lot.
• Corn starch can also absorb sweat and keep the feet dry.

Smelly feet isn’t appealing to anyone and these home remedies ensure you don’t have to suffer that anymore. You can now confidently step out of your shoes anywhere.

Also Read:

Effective Home Remedies for Shoe Bites
How to Treat Skin Infection Naturally
Natural ways to Treat Dry and Chapped Lips