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. 

1. 1
   Wash 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. 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. 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. 4
   Use deodorant. The same deodorant you apply under your arms could also be used for your feet. Just make sure to get a separate deodorant stick for each area.
   
   
5. 5
   Keep a mixture of 1/2 regular vinegar (already 95% water) and 1/2 isopropyl alcohol ("rubbing 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.
   
   
6. 6
   Wear sandals or open-toed shoes. This is so your feet stay cool and you don't produce as much sweat. Even when you do, it evaporates due to air circulation. You can also use leather or canvas shoes which allow your feet to "breathe," and steer clear of rubber and plastic shoes.
   
   
7. 7
   Put antiperspirant on your feet. Take that stick of antiperspirant and rub it on your feet. Sprays will work as well. Make sure it's antiperspirant though and not deodorant--deodorant just covers up smells. 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.
   
   
8. 8
   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.
     
     

Target Your Socks and Shoes

1. 1
   Try cedar wood or cloves. Put cedar wood (special Cedarsoles at best) or some cloves inside your shoes. The odor will disappear after a few days.
   
   
2. 2
   Change your socks daily with laundered ones. Colored socks seem to be more prone to bacteria and the resulting smell more so than white socks.
   
   
   • 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.
     
     
   • When you do need to wear socks, go for absorbent ones made of cotton or wool. Non-absorbent socks (like nylon) trap moisture around your foot, making a cozy little nook for bacteria. If possible, change your socks more than once a day, and never wear a pair of socks more than once without washing them. Unless using open shoes you should always wear socks. Try two pair of socks to help with the wicking of moisture away from the foot.
     
     
3. 3
   Lightly powder shoes and socks daily with baking soda. Dust out yesterday's baking soda before adding in the fresh amount.
   
   
4. 4
   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.
     
     
     
     
5. 5
   Wash your shoes regularly. Many shoes can be thrown in the washing machine. Just make sure they dry thoroughly before you put them on.
   
   
6. 6
   Remove your shoes. Whenever you are able to take a break, remove your shoes. This helps the shoes and your feet stay drier.
   
   
7. 7
   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.
   
   

Home Remedies For Curing Foot Odor

1. 1
   Soak your feet. Believe it or not, your feet can produce a whopping half liter (over 2 cups) of sweat in one day. Some solutions will dry out your feet, and others will make the surface of your feet inhospitable to bacteria.
   
   
2. 2
   Use bleach. Add about two tablespoons (1 ounce) of bleach to a gallon of warm water. Do this 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 too 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.
     
     
3. 3
   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.
   
   
4. 4
   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.
   
   
5. 5
   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.
   
   
6. 6
   Make a baking soda mixture. Apply 1 tablespoon baking soda for every quart of water. This makes skin more alkaline, which inhibits bacterial growth.
   
   
7. 7
   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.
     
8. 8
   Put baby powder in your shoes. Applying baby powder or baking soda in your shoes and socks will help dry out any future odors.