Do your shoes and socks smell like some animal died in there? Does the dreadfully foul odor of your stinky shoes cling on to your feet even after repeated scrubbings and rigorous cleaning? Well then you’ve got a serious case of smelly feet! But of course that’s not what it is called! The medical term for it is bromodosis, quite a common problem among people; with the soaring temperatures this bacterial infection only grows. And though it is not a serious medical condition, it can be really embarrassing!
Follow these simple yet effective home remedies for getting rid of smelly feet.
Why the horrible smell?
Ever wondered what causes smelly feet? Yes, there are more sweat glands on your body than anywhere else on your body. But contrary to the popular belief, it is not excessive perspiration that leads to that fishy smell; it is just one part of the problem. Now one might argue that sweat is odorless, but the bacteria that thrives on it isn’t. The spaces between your toes become the ideal place for bacteria and other fungi to breed and multiply, hence the foul odor. Other reasons include-
- Not cleaning your feet regularly
- Repeating the same shoes and socks everyday
- Hormonal imbalances
- The ever growing stress and work pressure
- Other medical conditions such as Hyperhidrosis and Athlete’s Foot
Homemade soaks and scrubs to remove show odor
Mentioned below are some very basic home remedies for getting rid of that awful smell permanently. Spare yourself and those around you the horrors of your stinking feet! Follow these tips on how to get foot odor out of shoe for good-
1. Baking soda
Add some baking soda in a tub of warn water and soak your feet in them after a long day at work. Baking soda maintains the pH levels of the sweat glands on your feet and prevents bacterial growth. You can also rub baking soda on your feet or sprinkle some on your shoes.
2. Black tea
Washing your feet with some black tea mixed with warm water is a good way to get rid of the fishy smell. Wash your feet with soap and pat them dry then soak them in this mixture for some time. Black tea contains tannins, a great way to prevent sweating and bacteria growth.
3. Apple cider vinegar
Treat your feet with a vinegar bath followed by a thyme oil massage. While apple cider vinegar curbs the breeding of bacteria because of its acidic nature, thyme oil prevents foot odor with its many antiseptic characteristics.
4. Lemon juice
It is a known fact that lemon is rich in vitamin C also this citrus fruit is a natural antioxidant and therefore an effective way to kill the bacteria growth on your feet. Rubbing some lemon juice prevents the outbreak of bacteria on the sweaty area.
5. Talcum powder
This is perhaps the most common of home remedies for getting rid of the stink! Talcum powder not only reduces the perspiration but also gives your feet a pleasant smell. Rub some talcum powder on your feet before you wear your shoes to prevent the foul odor.
6. Epsom salt
Soaking your feet in a tub of hot Epsom salt water sure sounds comforting. A great way to relax the foot sprains, this mixture even prevents growth of bacteria and naturally cures foot odor. Among the most preferred home remedies for getting rid of that foul foot smell it is quite easy to follow.
7. Kosher salt
Add some kosher salt in a tub of hot water and soak your feet in it for a few minutes. Kosher salt absorbs the sweat off the feet and leaves them dry and soft.
8. Pumice stone
As you already know, the decomposition of dead skin by the bacteria causes the foul odor on your feet. Pumice stone is a great way to clean the dead skin cells on the feet and exfoliate it. Just rub it gently on the ankles, toes and other areas and get soft odor free feet naturally.
9. Alcohol
This may sound a bit weird, but alcohol is a natural disinfectant that reduces the bacterial growth on your feet. It is one of the best home remedies for getting rid of stinky feet. You can even spray some on your shoes to prevent the bacteria from breeding on the leather.
10. Cloves
Cloves are a natural way to clear shoe odor; all you need to do is sprinkle some clove oil on your shoes or socks and you’re set. You can even use the cloves directly. A very common method of getting rid of foot odor, cloves prevent bacterial growth.
11. Rosemary
While these exotic herbs are mostly used in the kitchen, rosemary can be an effective way to eliminate foot odor. Applying rosemary oil to your feet makes them soft and they smell good as well. The antibacterial properties of this herb curb the infections.
12. Sage
Sage is another herb that like rosemary is very useful home remedy when it comes to getting rid of foot odor. Sage has many antibacterial properties that reduce the growth of bacteria in the sweaty areas.
13. Thyme oil
Thyme oil is a natural cure for fungal infections and prevents bacterial growth on your feet thanks to its antibacterial properties. Add some thyme oil in water and soak your feet in it.
14. Tea tree oil
This is another recommended herbal home remedy for getting rid of stinky feet. Massage your feet with some tea tree and almond oil after washing it with warm water to prevent the outbreak of bacterial growth on your foot.
15. Lavender oil
A popular home remedy for stinky feet, lavender reduces the bacterial growth. Also applying lavender oil regularly gives your feet a pleasant smell replacing the foul odor. And the many healing properties of the amazing lavender work wonders for infections and cracks.
16. Alum
Soak your feet in a tub of hot water with some alum. Alum is a natural way to shrink the skin pores on your feet and hence reducing the amount of perspiration drastically. It even fights the odor causing bacteria and removes the foul smell.
17. Ginger
A great antioxidant, ginger cleans your feet from the toxins and exfoliates the dead skin as well. Massage your feet with some ginger paste boiled in water to prevent the growth of bacteria.
18. Borax
Sprinkle some borax powder or coat your shoes with a mixture of borax and vinegar to kill the bacteria. Applying this solution to your stinky shoes is one of the easiest home remedies for getting rid of that fishy smell coming from your shoes.
19. Oatmeal
Gently scrub your feet with a mixture of oatmeal and warm water to prevent bacterial growth and breeding. Oatmeal helps in cleaning the dead skin cells on your feet and closing off the pores.
20. Corn starch
Add a bit of corn starch powder to your shoes or rub some on your feet to prevent foot odor. Corn starch can absorb the sweat naturally and rids you off the stink that is stuck to your feet.
21. Sugar
A sugar scrub is among the most popular home remedies for getting rid of dead skin cells on your feet. It naturally exfoliates the skin and thus prevents the growth of bacteria. A proportionate mixture of sugar, water and alcohol can work wonders on your feet!
22. Radishes
Loaded with many nutrients such as zinc, phosphorous and vitamins B and C, radish prevents the bacterial outbreak and also is a great exfoliating agent. Washing your feet regularly with a mixture of radish juice and lukewarm water is a natural way of removing the stink from your feet
23. Cat litter
This may sound a bit unbelievable but putting some of it in your socks and shoes for a night really prevents the growth of bacteria. It is a useful tip and home remedy for stinky shoes. Throw the litter out in the morning before you wear the shoes though!
24. Salt and oil
Scrubbing your feet with a mixture of salt and oil in the right proportions helps in exfoliating the dead skin cells accumulation on your feet. It keeps your feet clean and odor free.
25. Eucalyptus oil
The eucalyptus oil contains many antibacterial characteristics and is a great way to reduce bacteria on your feet. Regular massages with eucalyptus oil is very effective in preventing foot odor
26. Listerine
Listerine can be used for preventing foot odor as it is an antibacterial mixture. Rub some Listerine on your feet and see the results for yourself.
27. Vodka
Vodka is odorless and hence won’t leave any traces behind. Spray some on your shoes to curb bacterial growth.
Precautions you must keep in mind
Other than following the above mentioned home remedies for getting rid of smelly feet also keep in mind these precautions that you must follow-
- Don’t apply tea tree oil directly
- Avoid excess talcum powder as it may aggravate sweating
- Don’t coat both the sides of your leather shoes with alcohol.
- Don’t apply thyme oil before going to bed