How to Naturally Get Your Feet to Stop Stinking

Fresh air keeps feet from smelling stinky.

Nothing is more embarrassing than removing your shoes, only to have your stinky feet fill the room with odor. Foot odor develops as a result of bacteria that form naturally as your feet sweat. Bacteria feed off natural oils released by the feet, as well as dead skin cells. When the tiny organisms release the waste after eating the oils and dead skin cells, the resulting organic acids in the waste cause unpleasant foot odor. Preventative measures can naturally help you get rid of stinky feet.

Things You'll Need

• Bucket
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• Towel
• Cornstarch
• Natural fiber socks
• Baking soda
• Dried sage leaves

Instructions

1. Fill a bucket with one quart warm water. Add 1/2 cup white vinegar to create a natural foot deodorizer. Soak your feet in the diluted vinegar solution a couple times each week to neutralize foot odor.

2. 

   Cotton or wool socks do not trap odor-causing moisture and sweat.

   Dry your feet thoroughly after bathing or showering. Sprinkle the soles of your feet and between the toes with cornstarch to absorb sweat and natural odors. Wear natural fiber socks to avoid holding odors inside the socks, where they will multiply.

3. 

   Dried sage leaves act as a natural foot deodorizer.

   Sprinkle dried sage leaves inside your shoes each morning to act as a natural odor absorber. Use store-bought dried sage or hang-dry sage picked from your garden.

4. Empty out any remaining sage leaves when you arrive at home each night. Add baking soda to the shoes to absorb odors while you sleep. Allow your shoes to air out in a protected area outside or indoors, near an open door or window.

Tips & Warnings

• Wash your feet with antibacterial soap. Foot odor is often caused by odor-causing bacteria, which can be reduced or eliminated by using antibacterial soap in the bath or shower.

• If you suffer from excessive sweating, such as hyperhidrosis, change your socks several times over the course of the day to reduce foot odor.

References

• Kids Health; Why Do Feet Stink? October 2008
• Good Housekeeping; Freshening Up Smelly Sneakers; Heloise
• Mother Nature: Foot Odor
• Mayo Clinic; Sweating and Body Odor: Lifestyle and Treatment; December 2010