Smelly feet are common. When you get home from the gym, a run or from playing sports, you can expect to smell sweaty feet. But if your feet smell all the time, we recommend following foot care home remedies before giving us a call.

1. Antibiotic Ointment

Bacteria, not sweat, is what leads to foot odor. While sweat leads to bacteria due to moisture, there is little that can be done to stop your feet from sweating. You can add baby powder to your soaks to absorb moisture, or wear moisture wicking socks. You can also add antibiotic ointment to your routine.

Simply apply the ointment to your feet, between your toes and also a small layer on your toenails before bed.

Put your socks back on and the ointment will work to kill off the odor-causing bacteria that’s making your feet smell.

2. Lavender Oil

Essential oils are a great way to promote healing and stop smelly feet. A foot rub that includes lavender oil can help eliminate odors. You’ll want to simply place a few drops of lavender oil on your feet and be sure to rub it in well. Lavender helps kill the bacteria leading to your smelly feet.

Massage the oil on the bottom and top of your feet.

Also, be sure to rub the oil between your toes where bacteria can cause foul smelling feet. Make sure to put your socks back on your feet before bed to enhance the potency of your foot rub.

3. Vinegar Foot Soak

Want to enjoy a nice foot soak? You can neutralize your foot odor with a warm water foot soak. Simply fill up a foot basin with warm or cold water, add in 1/3 a cup of apple cider vinegar and soak your feet for 15 minutes.

You can perform this foot soak multiple times per day if necessary.

Apple cider vinegar may have antimicrobial properties, according to one study, that can help you put an end to your stinky feet problem.

4. Epsom Salt Foot Bath

Foot care is very important, but you can do more than just wash and moisturize your feet. A foot bath, with the right ingredients, can help combat stinky feet. Epsom salt is one of the best ingredients you can add.

When you add Epsom salt, you’re working to control the bacteria that is contributing to your stinky feet.

Simply:

• Fill a basin with one gallon of water
• Add two cups of Epsom salt
• Mix

Soak your feet in the mixture twice per day for 10 to 15 minutes.

5. Switch to Moisture-Wicking Socks

Do you wear socks? If not, now is a good time to start. If you do, consider making the switch to socks that are specially designed to wick moisture away. The goal is to keep your feet dry and sweat-free. Moisture wicking socks transfer your sweat from your feet to the outer layer of your socks.

The end result? Your feet stay dry and smell less.

Synthetic materials tend to work best for moisture-wicking.

6. Try a Deodorant

Take a look at your deodorant to see if it can be used on your feet. A lot of antiperspirant’s can be applied to your feet to remove that stinky odor you’re dealing with. An antiperspirant will also be able to help if you’re feet are excessively sweaty.