Baking soda is a staple in most kitchens, but its uses extend beyond cake-making and freshening up the fridge. When it comes to foot care, a baking soda soak can soften the skin and make it easier to remove roughness. Soaking in baking soda also helps eliminate foot odor. So if your feet are in need of some TLC, give them a spa treatment with an at-home baking soda foot soak.
Fill a basin with enough warm water to cover your feet.
Add 3 tablespoons of baking soda to the water, then use your hands to stir up the mixture.
Add a few drops of essential oil, such as rosemary, lavender or tea tree, along with 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil or whole milk to help incorporate the oils into the water. Use your hands to combine the ingredients.
Submerge your feet in the water and soak them for 20 to 30 minutes.
Take your feet out of the water and pat them dry with a towel. Exfoliate your feet with an exfoliating sponge or brush, if desired.
Tip
Choose an oil that will work best for you. For example, wintergreen oil helps ease swelling and pain, cypress oil controls foot odor, lavender oil helps you relax and rosemary oil helps soothe your muscles. Others to try are tea tree, lemon, orange and eucalyptus oils.
Epsom salt, Dead Sea salt and baby oil in a foot soak can soothe dry skin.
Warning
Dry your feet thoroughly after soaking. Your soles may be slippery from the oils.
References
Writer Bio
Kimbry Parker has been writing since 1998 and has published content on various websites. Parker has experience writing on a variety of topics such as health, parenting, home improvement and decorating. She is a graduate of Purdue University with a Bachelor of Arts in organizational communication.