Stop Smelly Feet in Their Tracks

Sat, Sep 12, 2009

Some of my favorite home remedies for foot sweating are also the easiest to apply. Smelly feet can be embarrassing and it’s a much more common problem than you might think. The perspiration, dead skin cells, and bacteria that cause foot odor are completely natural – and normal. But when the excessive sweating is constant or spontaneous, it could be a warning sign of plantar hyperhidrosis.

Tannin Leaves

The fastest way to get rid of foot odor is through the use of Tannin tea leaves. Sage Tea works wonderfully for this.

Tannin, which is found in tea, is a drying agent. Sage Tea in particular is an astringent. It contains high concentrations of Tannin.
Boil three or four tea bags in one quart of water for about 10 minutes. Then add enough cold water to make a comfortable soaking temperature.

Soak your feet for 5-10 minutes a day. Start out soaking for only a few minutes and adjust the time according to how your skin reacts to the tannin.

Don’t worry if the skin on your feet tans a bit. The stains will wash out with soap and water. You’ll notice in just a few days that your feet will feel dryer and the odor will have disappeared.

Kosher Salt

For extra sweaty feet you can try kosher salt as a home remedy. Add half a cup of kosher salt (kosher salt has a coarser texture than regular salt) to one quart of water. Soak your feet for 5-10 minutes at a time for a week. This will have a dramatic affect on your foot sweating. I do recommend trying the tannin tea solution first as the kosher salt remedy can cause overdrying.

Baking Soda

Sprinkle some baking soda in your shoes overnight. The baking soda will absorb and lock in the odor causing bacteria. In the morning, just dump out the baking soda and your shoes will smell fresh, clean and comfortably dry.

Antifungal Spray

After your daily shower, make sure you apply a powder or antifungal spray to your feet. The excessive sweating from your feet can bring on toenail fungus and athletes foot at an alarmingly fast rate. By using these hygienic precautions you will reduce your chances of having a bacteria infection.

Odor Insoles

Although they won’t actually condition your feet to sweat and smell less, odor insoles will definitely eliminate and trace of smell from your shoes. They’ll also temporarily deodorize your feet for those awkward occasions where you need to take of your shoes in the presence of others. I’ve used these for years. Along with keeping your foot odor to a minimum, they help your shoes and sneaks last a whole lot longer by saving you some stinky wear and tear.