How to Get Rid of Foot Odor

Are you suffering from a raging case of stinky feet? Do people wince when you walk by? Do your dogs avoid chewing on your shoes? Here are some suggestions that may help tame that fearsome foot odor.

Method 1 of 3: Cleaning Your Feet

1

    Scrub your feet. It sounds obvious, but a quick rub with soapy water in the shower isn't enough. The objective here is to get rid of any bacteria and dead skin cells that bacteria like to feed on. So when you wash your feet, exfoliate the entire surface of your foot with a washcloth, brush, or any other abrasive mechanism and use anti-bacterial soap. Don't forget to scrub between your toes, either.

2

Dry your feet. When you dry your feet, dry them completely. Moisture, whether it's water or sweat, is what creates a fertile breeding ground for bacteria, Take the time to dry your feet thoroughly and don't neglect the space between your toes.

3

Use hand sanitizer. It may sound weird, but a good scented (or unscented) hand sanitizer can kill germs on your feet and inhibit bacterial growth.

4

Use antiperspirant. The same type of antiperspirant you apply under your arms could also be used for your feet. Just make sure to get a separate stick for each area. Apply it to clean, dry feet at night, then put your socks and shoes on as usual in the morning. It will help keep your feet dry and fresh during the day.

• Antiperspirant actually reacts with the electrolytes in sweat to form "gel plugs" that block off your sweat ducts. Since each one of your feet has over 250,000 sweat glands (more sweat glands per inch than any other part of your body) a little antiperspirant can go a long way.
• Don't apply it right before going out, or you'll be slipping and sliding in your shoes.
  
  

5

Keep a mixture of 1/2 regular vinegar and 1/2 isopropyl alcohol. Dribble this daily (use a medicine dropper) over and between your toes and irritated skin on the feet and spread it. Both products are harmless to your skin, but the vinegar kills fungus and the alcohol inhibits or kills bacteria. It also helps get rid of toe fungus on contact. You can soak your feet in a solution of 1/2 vinegar, 1/2 water as a way to stave off bad odors. Add a few scoops of baking soda and thyme oil drops, both of which also help get rid of stinky smells.

6

Rub your feet with one or more of the following powders. Do this between your toes as well. This is what most foot powders and sprays contain to combat foot odor: Talcum powder. It's an astringent, so it'll dry out your feet
Baking soda. This creates an alkaline environment that's not bacteria-friendly
Corn starch. This helps absorb sweat.

Method 2 of 3: Freshening Your Footwear

1

Wear sandals or open-toed shoes. Wearing open shoes lets the air flow around your feet, keeping them cool and keeping you from producing as much sweat. When you do sweat, it will evaporate quickly due to air circulation. During colder months, wear leather or canvas shoes which allow your feet to "breathe." Steer clear of rubber and plastic shoes

2

Change your socks daily. Socks absorb your sweat when you wear them, and it dries when you take them off. Putting on a dirty pair of socks for a second day in a row is essentially going to reheat that sweat, leading to a foul smell. Change your socks every day, especially if your feet tend to get sweaty. Unless you're wearing open shoes, you should always wear socks. Try two pair of socks to help with the wicking of moisture away from the foot.
When you wash your socks, turn them inside out in the washer so the dead flakes of skin have a better chance of being washed away.
Go for absorbent socks made of cotton or wool. Non-absorbent socks (like nylon) trap moisture around your foot, making a cozy little nook for bacteria.

Lightly powder shoes and socks daily with baking soda. Dust out yesterday's baking soda before adding in the fresh amount. Baking soda absorbs moisture and odors.

4

Use cedar wood or cloves to freshen shoes. Put cedar wood shavings or whole cloves inside your shoes for a few days when you don't need to wear them. The odor will disappear after a few days.

5

Rotate your shoes. Let your shoes dry out completely so that bacteria don't set up camp in there. It takes at least 24 hours for a shoe to dry out completely. Take out the insoles to help the drying process along. Otherwise, wearing the same pair day after day is a recipe for stinky feet. Crumpled newspaper inside wet shoes will dry them overnight.

6

Wash your shoes regularly. Many shoes can be thrown in the washing machine. Just make sure they dry thoroughly before you put them on.

7

Remove your shoes often. Whenever you are able to take a break, remove your shoes. This helps the shoes and your feet stay drier.

8

Use a shoe dryer. There are several great, low-wattage shoe and boot dryers that use convection air currents to slowly and completely dry wet, sweaty shoes. Place your footwear on them at the end of the day or workout and put on dry, warm and comfortable shoes about eight hours later. Dryers eliminate the moisture that odor-causing bacteria need to grow and help your shoes to last longer.

Method 3 of 3: Using Home Remedies...

1

Use bleach. Add about two tablespoons (1 ounce) of bleach to a gallon of warm water. Soak your feet in this solution for 5 to 10 minutes a day for a week. If you find this soak to be drying to your skin, you may apply a little baby oil. Bleach your white socks in the laundry. If your shoes can withstand it, add the same solution to the insides of your shoes and soak them down. Wait 1/2 hour and then just rinse them out in the sink. Dry them thoroughly before wearing them again.

Do a tea soak. Soak your feet in tea 30 minutes a day for one week. The tannic acid in the tea will dry out your skin.

2

Do a tea soak. Soak your feet in tea 30 minutes a day for one week. The tannic acid in the tea will dry out your skin.

3

Use salt water. Apply half a cup of kosher salt for every quart of water. After soaking, don't rinse your feet and just dry thoroughly.

4

Apply aluminum acetate. This will dry out your feet. Mix 1 packet Domeboro powder or 2 tablespoons Burow's Solution (both available over-the-counter) in 1 pint of water. Soak for 10 to 20 minutes at a time

5

Make a baking soda mixture. Apply 1 tablespoon baking soda for every quart of water. This makes skin more alkaline, which inhibits bacterial growth.

6

Mix vinegar in water. This makes skin more acidic. Add a 1/2 cup vinegar for every 1 quart of water. Keep in mind that some people's foot odor can be described as "vinegary" so if this is you, this soak might make things worse

7

Put baby powder in your shoes. Applying baby powder or baking soda in your shoes and socks will help dry out any future odors.

8

Clean your feet with a pumice stone on daily basis. This will remove the dead skin and prevent the bacteria to form.