3 Ways to Get Rid of Smelly Feet

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 10:50

Are you bothered by smelly feet? Do people wince when you pass them? Does your pet seem to be moving away from your shoes? Some of the suggestions below may be able to relieve that annoying foot odor.

Step

Method 1 of 3: Clean Your Feet

Step 1. Scrub your feet

This seems obvious, but briefly rubbing your feet with soapy water in the shower isn't enough. The goal in this step is to get rid of bacteria and dead skin cells that are a source of food for these bacteria. So when you wash your feet, exfoliate all layers of the skin on your feet with a washcloth, brush or other abrasive method, also use an antibacterial soap. Don't forget to rub between your toes too.

Step 2. Dry your feet

When you dry your feet, make sure to completely dry them. Moisture, whether caused by water or sweat, can make your feet a fertile ground for bacterial growth. Take time to dry your feet completely and don't neglect the space between your toes.

Step 3. Use hand sanitizer

It may sound strange, but a good hand sanitizer, (whether scented or unscented) can kill germs and prevent the growth of bacteria on your feet.

Step 4. Use an antiperspirant

The same type of antiperspirant as the antiperspirant for your underarms can also be used on your feet. Just make sure to use two different bottles of antiperspirant for your feet and underarms. Apply antiperspirant on your dry feet at night, and then put on your socks and shoes as usual in the morning. It will help keep your feet dry and fresh during the day.

• Antiperspirants react with the electrolytes in sweat to help "plug the gel" that clogs your sweat glands. Since each of your feet alone has over 250,000 sweat glands (more sweat glands per inch than the rest of your body) a little antiperspirant can really help you.
• Don't apply antiperspirant just before traveling, or you could slip on your shoes.

Step 5. Make a mixture consisting of 1/2 part vinegar and 1/2 part isopropyl alcohol

Sprinkle this mixture daily (you can use a dropper) over and between your toes, as well as the irritated skin on your feet, spreading it evenly. Both ingredients are harmless to the feet, but vinegar can kill mold and alcohol can inhibit or even kill bacteria. This mixture can also help get rid of fungus on the toes.

You can soak your feet in a solution consisting of 1/2 part vinegar. and 1/2 part water as a way to get rid of bad odors. Add a few tablespoons of baking soda and a few drops of thimi oil. These two ingredients can also help get rid of bad odors

Step 6. Rub your feet with one or more of the following

Do the same for the part between your toes. The following are the ingredients of most powders and sprays that can fight foot odor:

• Talc powder. It is an astringent, so it can dry out your feet.

  

• Baking soda. Baking soda creates an alkaline environment making it unsuitable for bacterial growth.

  

• Corn starch. This material is also able to absorb sweat. {largeimage|61892 8 bullet 3.jpg}}

  

Method 2 of 3: Prepare Your Footwear

Step 1. Wear sandals that are open to the toes

Wearing sandals that open allows air to flow around your feet, so your feet stay cool and sweat doesn't build up as much. Even when you sweat, your sweat will quickly evaporate because of good air circulation.

In cooler weather, wear leather or canvas shoes that allow your feet to "breathe." Stay away from plastic or rubber shoes

Step 2. Change your socks every day

Socks absorb sweat as long as you wear them and the sweat will dry when you take it off. Wearing dirty socks for two days in a row will basically reheat the sweat that's already there, making it smell bad. Change your socks every day, especially if you tend to sweat more easily.

Step 3. Unless you wear revealing shoes, you should always wear socks

Try two pairs of socks to help get rid of that annoying moisture from your feet.

• When you wash your socks, turn them in the washing machine so that the remaining dead skin cells can be removed better.

  

• Choose socks that are absorbent from cotton or wool. Non-absorbent nylon socks, for example, will trap moisture around your feet and create a breeding ground for bacteria.

Step 4. Dab a little baking soda on your shoes and socks every day

Clean off the baking soda from yesterday before adding the new one. Baking soda can absorb moisture and odors.

Step 5. Use cedar or cloves to freshen up your shoes

Put cedar wood slices or whole cloves in your shoes for a few days when you're not wearing them. The bad smell will go away after a few days.

Step 6. Put on your other shoe

Let your shoes dry completely so bacteria don't grow in them. It takes at least 24 hours for the shoes to dry completely.

• Remove the insole of the shoe to help the drying process. Otherwise, wearing the same shoes every day will make your feet smell. Putting old newspaper rolls in wet shoes will help dry them overnight.

  

Step 7. Wash your shoes regularly

Many shoes are machine washable. Make sure your shoes are completely dry before using them again.

Step 8. Take off your shoes often

Whenever you can, take off your shoes. This will help your shoes and feet drier.

Step 9. Use a shoe dryer

There are some good, low-power shoe dryers, as well as shoe dryers that use convection airflow to gently dry the shoes until they are completely dry. Put your shoes on them at night after work and put them back on the dry shoes eight hours later. The dryer will remove the moisture that odor-causing bacteria need to grow and help keep your shoes lasting longer.

Method 3 of 3: Use Home Appliances

Step 1. Use bleach

Add two tablespoons of bleach to a gallon of warm water. Soak your feet in this solution for 5 to 10 minutes every day for one week. If you feel the soak is drying your feet, apply baby oil afterwards.

• Soak your socks in the bleach solution. If your shoes can't bleach. Apply the same solution on the inside of your shoe. Wait 1/2 hour and rinse. Dry thoroughly before putting it back on.

  

Step 2. Soak in tea

Soak your feet in the tea for 30 minutes every day of the week. The tannins in the tea will dry out the skin on your feet.

Step 3. Use salt water

Add half a cup of Kosher salt for every liter of water. After soaking, don't rinse your feet, just dry them right away.

Step 4. Apply aluminum acetate

This material will dry your feet. Mix 1 pack of Domeboro powder or 2 tablespoons of Burrow's solution with 1 and a half liters of water. Soak for 10 to 20 minutes.

Step 5. Make the baking soda mixture

Add one tablespoon of baking soda for every liter of water. This solution will make the skin more alkaline, thereby inhibiting the growth of bacteria.

Step 6. Mix the vinegar in the water

The water will become more acidic. Add half a cup of vinegar for every liter of water.

• Keep in mind that some people experience foot odor that resembles a "vinegar" smell, so if your feet smell like this, soaking your feet in vinegar may make your foot odor worse.

Step 7. Put some baby powder in your shoes

Putting baby powder or baking soda into your shoes and socks will help them dry and prevent odors that may arise.

Step 8. Clean your feet with a pumice stone every day

This will remove dead skin cells and prevent bacterial growth.

Tips

• Stress can spur sweat. It is because of this that you may feel your feet smelling when your life is going through a rough patch.
• Don't walk with only socks on. Your socks will step on a lot of bacteria if you do this. Then when you put your shoes back on, the bacterial population explodes in a warm, humid environment.
• Wash your feet at least once a day.
• If you're in a hurry, you can scrub your feet with an antibacterial washcloth or tissue soaked in alcohol.
• You can use baking soda on your feet and on your shoes.
• Make sure you get the zinc intake as recommended by your doctor. Zinc deficiency can cause foot odor, as well as body odor and bad breath. Make sure zinc is in your multivitamin or buy a separate zinc supplement.
• Powder your shoes outdoors, where there is good airflow, such as on a patio.
• Trimming and brushing your toenails may also help.
• Try a natural, crystal-based deodorant. This spray will help by making the skin uncomfortable for bacteria.
• Use a foot powder made mostly of corn starch and other non-talc ingredients.
• Make sure you shower every day. Wash your feet every time you shower.
• Wear open shoes to allow air to flow around them and stop sweat causing odor.
• Change your socks every time you put on your shoes, and use an anti-fungal spray.
• If you can bring an extra sock and change it once a day, do it.
• You can visit a shoe store for scented shoe balls.

Warning

• Gently shake the foot powder and apply it directly into your shoes to prevent it from spilling out.
• Smelly feet is just that, smells of feet only. If there are other symptoms, you may have a fungus or infection on your foot. Check with the doctor. Look for pus, repeated blisters, and cracked skin, itching or symptoms of skin cancer.
• Talc, an additive in foot powder, can cause lung damage if inhaled too often.
• Do not dry shoes with a hair dryer, in the oven or in the back window of your vehicle. Excessive heat can damage the leather, melt the glue, and melt the plastic. Shoes should be dried slowly to maintain their shape and strength.
• Consult your doctor if you have diabetes, peripheral vascular disease(PVD), peripheral artery disease(PAD), peripheral neuropathy, or peripheral edema. The soaking treatments described above may be dangerous and should be evaluated first. To be safe, first consult with your doctor.
• Do not shake foot powder in the room or car to avoid inhalation.
• If you wash your feet in the shower, be careful because your feet will be more slippery when soaped.