18 Effective Remedies to Get Rid of Smelly Feet for Sure

Smelly feet, which is known as bromodosis in medical terms, is a common feet problem. You may take hundreds of measures to keep your feet clean, but still there will be slight feet odor. Smelly or stinky feet are not a serious health problem, but it often makes you uncomfortable as well as embarrassed.

What Causes Smelly Feet
The main culprit of the smelly feet is excessive sweating. As per the researches, our feet sweat more than any other parts of the body. You will be surprised to know that our feet contain more sweat glands than our armpits. In an average, the foot contains 600 sweat glands per square centimetre, which secrete sweat. In turn, the sweaty feet become the breeding ground for bacteria. And when the bacteria break down the sweat, it starts decomposing and releases a foul smell for which the feet start smelling bad.

Let’s have a look at the major causes that make your feet smell bad.

Poor Personal Hygiene: It is one of the obvious reasons for smelly feet. The person who doesn’t clean her/his feet regularly suffer from this problem very often.

Wearing the Same Shoes and Socks Every Day: Because of sweating, the socks as well as the shoes become damp on which the bacteria grows easily. And when you wear the same socks and shoes next day, again these get damp. So this type of condition makes a perfect breeding ground for the odor-causing bacteria.

Hormonal Changes: It is also one of the main causes of smelly feet. In comparison to normal human beings, pregnant women as well as teenagers very often face this problem as they go through various phases of hormonal changes, which make them to perspire more.

Stress: It is such a condition, which makes you to perspire more. More perspiration means more sweat secretion and bacteria generation, thus smelly feet.

Hyperhidrosis: It is a medical condition, which makes the person sweat excessively that in turn makes the feet smell bad.

Athlete’s Foot: This health condition can also make your feet smell bad.

How to Get Rid of Smelly Feet
Feet odor, which is the result of breeding of bacteria in the feet due to excessive sweating, can be treated effectively with the help of various homemade remedies. These remedies not only promise you to give desired results but also are easy to prepare. And the most important thing is that the ingredients that we are going to use to prepare these remedies are easily available in your kitchen and home.

So let’s learn to prepare the remedies to say goodbye to smelly feet!

Soaks to Combat Stinky Feet
Soaks or foot baths always treat the stinky or smelly feet problem effectively. Here we have presented some of the most effective soaks for smelly feet with detailed processes, which will definitely help you to prepare them at the ease of your home. So treating smelly feet is not a headache now. Go for these foot soaks and get rid of the smelly feet for sure!

1. Black Tea for Smelly Feet
You can give a soothing tea bath to your feet to control the foot odor. Black tea is loaded with tannins, which is an antibacterial agent. So black tea feet bath can kill the bacteria and curb the further breeding of the bacteria in the feet by controlling the sweating.

Required Ingredients:

Black Teabags – 2
Water – A quart
A Pan
A Large Basin
A Soap
A Towel
Steps to Follow:

Take a quart of water in a pan and add 2 teabags to it.
Boil it for 10 minutes and then leave it for 20 to 15 minutes to cool properly.
Wash your feet thoroughly by using soap and then pat them dry with a towel.
Remove the teabags from the water and then pour the water to a large basin.
Soak your feet in the tea water for about 15 to 20 minutes.
Then remove your feet from the tea water and pat them dry.
Follow this process at least twice or thrice a day to get rid of smelly feet.

2. ACV and Thyme Oil to Fight Foot Odor
Apple cider vinegar makes an effective remedy for foot odor as the acidic content of it kills the bacteria that have taken birth due to the excessive sweating of the feet. And at the same time the antiseptic property of thyme oil also kills those odor-causing bacteria.

Required Ingredients:

Apple Cider Vinegar – ½ cup
Warm Water – 7 to cups
A Large Basin
A Towel
Steps to Follow:

Take the basin and pour the warm water to it.
Add the apple cider vinegar to it and mix well.
Now soak your feet in the water for 20 to 25 minutes.
Then pat dry your feet with a clean towel.
Follow these steps twice a day to get rid of smelly feet.

3. Baking Soda and Lemon Juice for Stinky Feet
These kitchen ingredients work wonders for foot odor. The use of baking soda neutralizes the Ph of the sweat and controls the breeding of bacteria in the feet that cause foul smell. And regarding lemon, the acidic nature of it kills the odor-causing bacteria. So we can very well use a baking soda and lemon juice soak to get rid of stinky feet.

Required Ingredients:

Baking Soda – ¼ cup
Warm Water – 7 to 8 cups
Lemon Juice – 2 tbsp
A Large Basin
A Towel
Steps to Follow:

Take a large basin and pour 7 to 8 cups of warm water to it.
Then add the baking soda and lemon juice to it.
Mix the ingredients well.
Soak your feet in this mixed water for 20 to 25 minutes.
Then pat your feet dry with a clean towel.
Use this remedy once in a day to keep your feet odor free.

4. Epsom Salt to Freshen Your Feet
Epsom salt with its astringent properties can remove the odor from your feet by killing the bacteria.

Required Ingredients:

Epsom Salt ½ cup
Warm Water – 8 cups
A Large Basin
A Clean Towel
Steps to Follow:

Take 8 cups of warm water in a large basin.
Add ½ cup of Epsom salt to it and mix well.
Now soak your feet in the Epsom salt mixed water for 20 to 25 minutes.
Pat dry your feet with a clean towel.
Following this remedy twice a day will not only give you odor-free feet but will also offer a soothing effect to your feet.

5. Rosemary and Sage for Odor-free Feet
Loaded with antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and astringent properties, the use of rosemary will definitely make your feet smell fresh. And at the same time it will also decrease the production of sweat from your feet, the main cause of the odor-causing bacteria generation.

Since ancient times, sage has been used to control foot odor. Like rosemary, sage also offers astringent effects to the skin as it contains a substance called tannin. Its use minimizes sweat production by the glands. Apart from that its antibacterial property kills the bacteria as well as controls the new bacteria generation on the feet.

Required Ingredients:

Dried Rosemary – 1 tsp
Dried Sage – 1 to 2 tsp
Hot Water – 7 to 8 cups
A Large Basin
A Clean Towel
Steps to Follow:

Take 7 to 8 cups of hot water in a large basin.
Add the dried rosemary and sage to it.
Let the herbs steep in the water for 10 – 15 minutes.
When the water becomes warm, place your feet in the basin and let them soak for 15 to 20 minutes.
Now wipe your feet with the towel.
To get rid of foot odor, practice this remedy at least twice a day.

6. Alum to Get Odor-free Feet
With powerful antiseptic and astringent properties, alum can give a fresh feel to your feet. And the most important thing is that it will make your feet odor-free by shrinking the sweat glands. As a result, the feet will perspire less, which in turn will minimize the bacteria on the feet.

Required Ingredients:

Alum Powder – 4 tsp
Warm Water – 4 cup
A large Basin
Steps to Follow:

Take 4 cups of warm water in a large basin.
Add 4 tsp of alum powder to the water and mix well.
Keep your feet in the water for 10 to 15 minutes.
Dry your feet with a towel.
Following this method once in a day will give effective results against smelly feet.

7. Lavender Essential Oil for Foot Odor
The use of lavender essential oil will not only give your feet a refreshing fragrance, but also its antibacterial property will kill the odor-causing bacteria in no time. Apart from that you can also use this oil to treat cracked heels.

Required Ingredients:

Lavender Essential Oil – 6 to 7 drops
Warm Water – 8 cups
A Large Basin
A Clean Towel
Steps to Follow:

Take warm water in the basin.
Add the lavender essential oil to it and mix properly.
Now soak your feet in this water for 20 to 25 minutes.
Pat dry the feet with the towel.
Repeating this remedy twice a day will give effective results against smelly feet.

8. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is also considered as an effective remedy for foot odor that is caused due to athlete’s foot. The natural anti-fungal properties of tea tree oil kill the odor causing bacteria and fungus on the feet. Apart from that it also provides a refreshing smell to the feet.

Required Ingredients:

Warm Water – 7 to 8 cups
Tea Tree Oil – 20 to 25 drops
A Large Basin
A Towel
Steps to Follow:

Take warm water in a large basin.
Add 20 to 25 drops of tea tree oil to it and mix well.
Keep your feet on the basin for 20 to 25 minutes.
Pat your feet dry with a towel.
Follow this process every day before wearing your shoes to keep your feet odor-free all day long.

9. Thyme Oil
Loaded with powerful antifungal properties, thyme oil works wonders for foot odor that is caused due to fungal infection on the feet. Apart from that its antibacterial property also kills the odor-causing bacteria. So you can use thyme oil foot bath to get rid of this foot odor problem.

Required Ingredients:

Warm Water – 8 cups
Thyme Oil – 20 drops
A Large Basin
A Towel
Steps to Follow:

Take warm water in a large bowl.
Add 20 drops of thyme oil to this water and mix properly.
Keep your feet in the water for 20 to 25 minutes.
Dry your feet with a towel.
Follow this thyme oil foot bath remedy once daily to freshen up your feet.
Scrubs to Tackle Smelly Feet
Not only foot soaks but also foot scrubs will help to cure the stinky feet problem by removing the dead skin cells from the feet and minimizing the sweating from the feet.

Let’s have a look at some of the effective foot scrubs to get rid of smelly feet.

10. Sugar Scrub for Smelly Feet
This scrub minimizes the foot odor by removing the dead skin cells from the feet. Its use to scrub the feet regularly will definitely make your feet odor free by keeping them clean.

Required Ingredients:

Warm Water- 8 cups
Sugar – 8 to 9 tbsp
Water – 5 tbsp
Isopropyl Alcohol – 1 tbsp
A Small Bowl
A Large Basin
Steps to Follow:

Take 8 cups of warm water in a large bowl.
Soak your feet in the warm water for 10 minutes.
Pat your feet dry with a clean towel.
Now, take the sugar in the small bowl.
Add water and isopropyl alcohol to the sugar and mix well.
Apply the mixture on your feet and then rub it for 5 to 7 minutes.
Then clean the feet with lukewarm water and then pat them dry with a clean towel.
Follow this process twice a week to get rid of smelly feet.

11. Oatmeal Scrub for Smelly Feet
The effectiveness of oatmeal as a scrub for the skin has already been proved. But do you know its usefulness to treat stinky feet? Yes, it treats this feet problem as well. As a powerful exfoliating agent, it removes the dead skin cells from the feet and keeps them clean. As a result, the feet sweat less and the bacteria generation also becomes less, which is the main cause of foot odor.

Required Ingredients:

Oatmeal – 2 tsp
Lukewarm Water – 1 cup
A small Bowl
A Towel
Steps to Follow:

Take 2 tsp of oatmeal in a small bowl.
Add 1 cup of warm water to it and mix well.
Apply the mixture on your feet and massage for 10 minutes.
Wash your feet with lukewarm water.
Pat dry your feet with a towel.
Follow this remedy every day to get rid of smelly feet.

12. Salt and Oil Scrub for Smelly Feet
This remedy works by removing the dead skin cells from the feet on which the bacteria thrive. This remedy helps to keep the feet clean, thus helps to sweat less and control the odor issue effectively.

Required Ingredients:
Epsom Salt or Table Salt – 2 to 3 tbsp
Olive Oil or Jojoba Essential Oil – 1 to 2 tbsp
Lukewarm Water – as per the requirement
A small Bowl
A Large Basin
Steps to Follow:
Take the salt and the essential oil of your choice in a small bowl and mix well.
Take the required amount of warm water in a large basin and soak your feet in it for 5 to 10 minutes.
Dry your feet with a towel and then apply the scrub on your feet.
Leave the scrub on your feet for 5 minutes, and then rub it gently for another 5 minutes.
Now wash your feet with warm water and dry your feet with a towel.
Use this remedy thrice a week to completely get rid of smelly feet.
Foot Massages to Get Rid of Smelly Feet
In the case of foot odor, massage therapy works wonders to eliminate it. You can use various essential oils as well as natural ingredients to minimize the sweat secretion from your feet and bacteria creation.

13. Ginger
Ginger is one such ingredient that you can find easily in your kitchen. It not only helps you to get rid of cold and cough but also extremely helpful to treat the problem of smelly feet. The antibacterial properties of ginger kill the odor-causing bacteria on the feet, thus treat the odor issue properly.

Required Ingredients:

Ginger Root – 2 inches
Hot Water – ½ cup
A Strainer
A Small Bowl
Steps to Follow:

Take the ginger root and grind it thoroughly to make a pulp of it.
Now take ½ cup of hot water in a small bowl and add the ginger pulp to it, and mix.
Leave it like this for 15 minutes, and then strain it.
Apply the ginger water on your feet and massage it for 5 minutes.
Use this remedy before going to bed every night.
Massaging your feet with this ginger water will give you effective results within 2 weeks period of time.

14. Eucalyptus Oil
You can also massage your feet with eucalyptus oil to get rid of smelly feet. Loaded with powerful antibacterial properties, it effectively treats the problem of stinky feet.

Required Ingredients:

Eucalyptus Oil – 20 to 25 drops
A Small Bowl
Steps to Follow:

Take 20 to 25 drops of eucalyptus oil in a small bowl.
Wash your feet properly and pat them dry.
Now, apply the eucalyptus oil on your feet and massage for 5 minutes.
Following this eucalyptus oil massage therapy at night before going to bed will give you effective results against smelly feet.
Other Remedies for Smelly Feet
Apart from the detailed home remedies, there are also many other remedies that you can use to combat foot odor. These remedies are super easy to follow. Let’s read on to know more.

15. Use Borax
Working as a disinfectant, the use of borax will kill the bacteria and easily treat the foot odor problem.

Before wearing the shoes, dust some borax inside your shoes. Wait till it disappears, and then wear your shoes. You will feel your feet fresh all day long.

16. Use Corn Starch
You can also use cornstarch to control foot odor. It will work by absorbing the sweat from the feet. In turn, it will minimize the growth of bacteria on the feet.

Rub some cornstarch on your feet and leave for five minutes. Then wear your shoes.

17. Use Listerine
Apart from freshening up your mouth, Listerine can also be used to keep your feet odor free. Take a cotton ball and soak it in Listerine. Now apply it on all over your feet. Let it dry properly so that the odor-causing bacteria on the feel will be killed.

18. Use Dried Sage Leaves
Sage contains a property called tannic acid, which lowers the formation of sweat on which the odor-causing bacteria grow. And at the same time it absorbs the bad odor and offers a pleasant smell to the feet.

You can put some dried sage leaves in your socks and shoes before night. Next day morning remove the sage leaves and wear the shoes to say goodbye to bad smell and offer a refreshing feel to the feet.

Tips to Prevent Foot Odor

• It is well said that prevention is better than cure. And it also holds true in the case of smelly feet. Let’s know about few useful tips to avoid foot odor in the first place.
• Maintain a Good Foot Hygiene Routine: Clean your feet daily with lukewarm water and a mild soap to prevent the bad smell of the feet. Try to wash your feet multiple times a day.
• Remove the Dead Skin Cells: Use a pumice stone to scrub out the dead skin cells on which the odor-causing bacteria thrive. Also, clean and trim your toenails regularly.
• Use Foot Care Lotions: Apply fragrant foot care lotions to your feet to get rid of the bad smell of the feet. Also use hand sanitizer after cleaning your feet to keep them bacteria-free.
• Use Antiperspirants: To keep your feet odor-free, use antiperspirants as they contain chemicals that minimize sweating. Spray antiperspirants on your feet before going to bed. You can also spray some of it on your socks to combat smelly feet.
• Rub a Lemon on Your Feet: Rub a half cut lemon on your feet to make them odor-free. The acid content of the lemon will kill the bacteria and check the further growth of it.
• Keep Your Feet Dry: The bacteria grow rapidly on moist areas, so to prevent them from growing try to keep your feet dry. After bath or after cleaning your feet with water, do not forget to dry them with a towel. Before wearing shoes, you can apply talcum powder to keep them dry.
• Wear Clean Socks: Always wear clean socks with the shoes as socks will absorb the moisture from the feet and control sweating. Wear shocks made up of breathable fabric. Do not wear the same pair of socks every day.
• Do not Wear Same Pair of Shoes Every Day: Avoid wearing the same shoes every day as it will not give enough time for the shoes to dry completely. As a result, the shoes will remain moist on which the odor-causing bacteria will breed.
• Clean Your Shoes Regularly: If the shoes are washable, clean them regularly. Otherwise, sprinkle fragrant talcum powder or baking soda inside the shoes to absorb the moisture as well to keep them odor-free.
• Wear the Right Shoes: Wear the shoes that fit you well. Wearing smaller shoes will make your feet sweat more, on which the bacteria will grow and cause odor. Wear the shoes that will provide proper ventilation to the feet. Do not wear shoes made up of plastic and rubber.
• Soak Your Feet Regularly: Try to take foot soaks at least twice a week to keep the foot odor at bay. Do not forget to pat your feet dry after taking the foot soaks.
• Walk Barefoot: Waking barefoot on the grass will improve the blood circulation and decrease the sweating from the feet, which will ultimately decrease the number of odor-causing bacteria on the feet.
  Avoid Eating Strong Flavoured Food: Do not eat food with more garlic, onions, and peppers in them as the flavour can pass through the sweat to your feet.
  When to See a Doctor

This smelly feet problem can be prevented as well as cured by following the home remedies and the tips. But if the problem still persists after using all these remedies, then it is time to see a doctor to know whether you are suffering from any other disease.

Here you got to know about the effective home remedies as well as tips to cure and prevent the disgusting smelly feet problem. So try these remedies and get odor-free and healthy feet in no time.