Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is known to absorb moisture and kill odor-causing bacteria. Apart from being a food ingredient, you also need to prepare baking soda in your refrigerator because it can be used to remove foot odor.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Get Rid of Smelly Feet
Step 1. Make a foot bath made of water and baking soda
Get a bucket or tub big enough for your feet to get into. Add 1/4 cup of baking soda until the foot soak looks cloudy. Once made, stir this mixture.
- Baking soda has been shown to disable microbial activity, thereby preventing the formation of odorous feet molecules.
- Add lemon juice for a citrus scent.
Step 2. Soak your feet in this bath
Soak your feet in this mixture daily for 15 minutes; Your foot odor will decrease. To make it even more effective, rub your feet with a small towel at the end of the bath.
Baking soda will kill bacteria while relaxing your feet, making it easier to remove dead skin
Step 3. Dry your feet with a dry towel
For the next 10-15 minutes, don't wear socks or shoes until your feet are completely dry. By reducing the moisture in your socks and shoes, even bad odors will disappear.
Step 4. Watch for signs that you soaked too long
If you soak your feet too long or too often, your feet will become very wrinkled or sensitive. Reduce the time or frequency of your soak if something goes wrong.
Method 2 of 3: Remove Odor from Shoes
Step 1. Take care of your shoes
If your feet stink, your shoes may be at the root of the problem. Shoes that are damp and warm from wear are an ideal environment for bacterial growth. Some of the bacteria and the smell can then transfer to your feet every time you wear those shoes.
Step 2. Put baking soda in your shoes every night after wearing them
Pour two tablespoons of baking soda into each shoe, then whisk until the baking soda reaches the toe of the shoe. The baking soda will absorb the moisture inside the shoe. This will reduce the chance for odor-causing bacteria to develop. Plus, the baking soda will absorb any odors that are already present, so your shoes won't stink the next day.
Step 3. Pour out the baking soda before putting your shoes back on
Do not wash your shoes with water to remove the baking soda. Remember: when your shoes are damp, bacteria are more likely to develop. As a result, your shoes and feet will stink. If you're having trouble getting the baking soda out of your shoes, use a small towel or bang your shoes against a hard surface.
Step 4. For really smelly shoes, leave the baking soda in them for a few days
If you have old shoes that you don't wear often, or sports shoes that you wear a lot and collect a lot of sweat, you need to let the baking soda stay in your shoes longer. Leave the baking soda in the shoes for a few days. If possible, change the baking soda every other day.
Method 3 of 3: Reducing and Eliminating Odors in Other Ways
Step 1. Clean your feet
Bacteria can create foot odor molecules. When bathing, rub your feet, then dry. You can also use an antibacterial foot spray or foot powder to reduce odor-causing bacteria.
- Don't forget between your toes! Heat and moisture can collect in these spots, making it easier for bacteria to grow.
- You can also kill bacteria by using hand sanitizer on your feet.
Step 2. Soak and scrub your feet with the mixture you can make at home
Mixing 30 ml of bleach with 3 liters of water can remove bacteria on your feet after soaking for 5-10 minutes. Below are some other mixes you can make:
- Vinegar water. Mix 1 liter of water with 1/2 cup of vinegar. Soak your feet for 15 minutes, then rinse with water.
- Salt water. Mix 1 liter of water with 1/2 cup of salt, then soak your feet for 15 minutes. After soaking, do not rinse with water, just dry.
- Aluminum acetate bath. Mix two tablespoons of aluminum acetate with half a liter of water, then soak your feet for 10 to 20 minutes. After that, rinse with water.
Step 3. Wear clean, sweat-wicking socks
Cotton and wool socks can reduce the moisture that your shoes absorb. Plus, these socks are easier to clean and reuse than shoes. You need to wash your socks before each wear, so odor bacteria don't grow.
- When washing socks, turn them inside out to remove dead skin.
- If you need to use socks that were worn before washing, add a little baking soda at night to reduce moisture and odor-causing bacteria.
Step 4. Avoid wearing the same shoes for several days in a row
Your shoes will dry as long as they are stored on the shelf, and thus bacteria will not grow. You can speed up this process by removing the insoles or drying your shoes with a shoe dryer.
Step 5. Wash your shoes
Sports shoes that are designed to handle water and humidity can be washed in the washing machine. If your shoes are damp from sweat, or wet from sports or outdoor activities, you should wash them.
Avoid washing nice shoes like loafers. These types of shoes can be damaged if washed
Step 6. Wear open-toed shoes or sandals
Sweat won't come from cold feet. If sweat does not appear, there will be no smell. The incoming wind will reduce the humidity around your feet and lower the temperature, making it harder for bacteria to multiply.
Step 7. Use a foot deodorizer
Many deodorizers are available for feet and shoes. Some work by locking in odor molecules and absorbing moisture from feet, socks, and shoes.
- You can also use baby powder to remove moisture and odor from your feet and the inside of your shoes.
- Don't let your feet dry. You still need to apply moisturizing lotion so that the skin on your feet does not crack.
Step 8. Use deodorant
If you use underarm deodorant, buy another one and put it on your feet before bed. This will reduce the moisture in your feet and eliminate odors.
Make sure your feet are dry before applying deodorant
Step 9. Use an astringent
Astringents are chemical compounds that can absorb cell moisture. For example, potassium alum, witch hazel, or talcum powder. These substances can irritate your skin, but they are widely recognized as deodorizing and sweating remedies.
Step 10. Remove dead skin from your feet
There are many tools, such as river stones and foot files. You can use these two tools to remove dead skin cells. Although this has not been scientifically proven, many believe that dead skin is food for bacteria.
Tips
- Wear clean socks every day.
- When bathing, scrub your feet with soap and water.
- Add baking soda to your shoes if they are wet.
