How to Get Rid of Foot Odor

Smelly feet can strike anyone at anytime, and is always unpleasant. It can make you self-conscious about removing your shoes in public places, like the gym, and can lend an unwanted, funky odor to the closet your shoes sit in at home, or possibly the entire house. No one wants to be the victim of foot odor under any circumstances, but it can be quite easy to get rid of, following a few simple tips.

Always Wear Socks

Make sure you always wear socks with your shoes, no matter what time of the year. When you pull on your shoes quickly without remembering or thinking about socks, your feet will always be affected. The sweat from your feet will collect in your shoe, retaining the stink and making not only your shoes smell bad, but your feet, as well. Going sockless can also prep your feet for infection or different types of fungus, so unless you’re wearing sandals or peep-toe shoes, remember to always pull socks on first. Sprinkling the inside of the shoe and/or sock with baby powder before inserting your feet can help further reduce the funk.

Check Your Zinc Levels

Stinky feet could also be the result of low zinc in your diet. You don’t think of how what you eat affects your feet, but it certainly can. Check the foods you’re eating to make sure you’re including the recommended daily amount of zinc, which is about 25 to 40 milligrams per day. If your diet isn’t including all the zinc you need, try taking a daily multivitamin, or a separate pill just for zinc. These can be found at most any health store, mass merchandiser, or grocery store.

Wash Your Feet

You can also wash your feet once a week with black tea or vinegar, at the end of the day when you’re done wearing shoes completely. Wash your feet as you normally do in the shower or bath, then soak your feet in warm water and tea, or vinegar. Towel off gently, then let your feet continue to air dry. You can also soak your feet in warm salt water once a day, too, in addition to the vinegar and/or tea soak. After washing, soak your feet in warm water and salt, then pat dry and air out fully before pulling on socks. A foot scrub is also a great idea, whether homemade with lemon or ginger and water, or purchased at a health store.