The cause of foot odor is simple: excessive perspiration creates a moist environment where odor-causing bacteria thrive. Simple hygiene practices can aid mild cases of foot odor: Wash your feet every day with antibacterial soap, wear breathable socks and change them every day, consider rotating your shoes and use a pumice stone to remove dead skin from your feet. If these preventative steps aren’t enough, there are some simple home remedies worth trying.
Sage
You can use dried ground sage as a foot powder in your shoes and socks. It absorbs odor and releases its own green scent. You can also soak your feet in sage tea. Finally, simply drink a cup of sage tea before bedtime. Sage is thought to curb profuse sweating, which causes odor.
Tea Soak
Boil three or four tea bags in a pint of water. Add this brew to two quarts of cool water, then use the mixture to soak your feet once or twice per day. The astringent tannins in the tea fight odor-causing bacteria.
Vinegar Soak
Combine 1/2 cup of vinegar with a quart of water for another odor-fighting foot soak. Soak your feet for 15 minutes twice a week. The vinegar acts as a mild disinfectant.
Salt Soak
Combine 1/2 cup of coarse salt in a quart of water. Soak your feet for 15 minutes once a day. The salt soak will help dry out excessively sweaty feet, reducing odor.
Baking Soda
You can use baking soda as both a foot powder and a soak. Sprinkle the powder in your socks and shoes or directly onto your feet. For a soak, add 1 tbsp. of baking soda to a quart of water. Soak your feet for 15 minutes twice a week.
Natural Shoe Inserts
Look for shoe inserts that contain charcoal or cedar. Both ingredients are natural and help neutralize moisture and odor-causing bacteria.
