Getting Rid of Foot Odor

Let’s get rid of that foot odor—fast! While everyone produces different amounts of sweat, you’ll be able to curb odor and perhaps even eliminate it completely by following a few guidelines.

What causes that smell, anyway?
It’s not the sweat that smells—it’s bacteria. It’s normal to have bacteria on your skin, but a lot of sweat can encourage bacteria to feast, grow, and basically make your feet a little smelly. It’s the same case if you choose to wear the same shoes day after day—bacteria will have more to eat, which means that it can make you smell worse, too.

Foot Odor Basics
Follow a regular foot care regimen to battle bacteria.

• Wash your feet with an antibacterial soap—the stronger, the better.

• Change your socks religiously. The more, the better—aim for a few times per day if your feet are particularly odiferous.

• Give your shoes a day to air out after each day of wear.

• Add deodorizing insoles to all of your shoes.

• Choose shoes that allow your feet to breathe, like slip-ons on the weekend and perforated oxfords for the work week.

• Spray a little antiperspirant onto the soles of your feet and allow it to dry before putting on your socks.

Home Solutions
Fighting foot odor? Besides commercial ingredients, you can find solutions in the kitchen and around the corner at the drugstore. Simple ingredients can quickly solve even the most serious of foot odors.

Alum: You can find alum in the spice section of a supermarket near you, and this stuff really works. Fill up a foot basin with water and add a teaspoon of alum to the water. After soaking your feet for about a half hour, rinse your feet off with cool water and repeat after four days. You’ll notice marked improvement fast—it’s a great home remedy for chronic foot odor.

Apple Cider Vinegar: Soak your feet in a basin with one-third of a cup of apple cider vinegar mixed in. Don’t get creative with regular white vinegar, as it simply won’t work effectively.

Baking Soda: Sprinkle baking soda directly inside your shoes if you suffer from foot odor. Not too much, now!

Tea: Soak your feet in a basin of water steeped with five black tea bags. The tannin from the tea is an astringent, which can help keep your feet from perspiring.

See your doctor if your foot odor is unmanageable after following our tips and trying home remedies.

Vitamin and Mineral Supplements
If you haven’t already been taking a multivitamin, now’s the time to start. Sometimes sweaty, smelly feet can be tamed with an additional zinc supplement. Just make sure that you’re not getting more than 15 milligrams of zinc per day, and follow the foot odor basics, above!