Natural Foot Care - Stinky Feet Fix

The first post in my natural from toe to head green over is a few tips and a foot soak recipe to keep your feet smelling sweet. Did you know there are more than a quarter of a million sweat glands in your feet? That is more than under your arms or in any other part of your body. In addition to the obvious - wash your feet every day with a good quality soap and warm water and make sure they are dry, dry, dry - I've posted a few more tips and a recipe for a foot bath below.
 
Smelly Feet Fix Foot Bath

• 1/4C of Baking Soda
• Enough warm (to hot) water to fill your foot soak bowl or bucket
• 4 Drop of Tea Tree Oil
• 4 Drop of Sage Oil
• 1/4 of Sea Salt

This recipe works because baking soda, tea tree, and sea salt all have strong antibacterial agents which will help to kill any bacteria causing smells. Sage oil is said to help reduce sweating by up to 50% (also great in deodorants). Tea tree and salt are also good for fighting any possible fungal infections caused by things like athlete's foot.

After you soak your feet take a natural fiber foot brush (or pumice stone) and give them a good brushing to remove any dead skin then rinse your feet with warm water. If the skin or your feet feels really dry after this try rubbing in some aloe vera with a little peppermint, sage or tea tree oil mixed in.


Other people have reported good results from soaking in...

• 1/4 cup of plain white vinegar added to warm water  (also great for killing off fungus) or 
• Soaking their feet in a black tea soak (4 bags per foot soak - steep your tea in boiling water and let it cool down) - the tannins in the tea constrict your pours and are a great astringent.

In addition to the soak make sure you...

• wear good quality shoes
• wear cotton, hemp or wool socks that breathe (try a few different kinds and see what works for you)
• Keep your feet DRY
• Try sprinkling some baking soda and cornstarch on your feet or into your socks/shoes in the am after you shower to help keep them dry.
• Rub your feet with a little sage oil and or tea tree oil to help keep the smelly at bay - especially between your toes and into your toe nails. 
• Throw away old stinky shoes they have likely picked up the bacteria that is making your feet smell - try liberally sprinkling baking soda in the stinky shoe first or lace-up and let it set overnight. Dump out the powder in morning. If they still smell get rid of the shoes they can reinfect your feet even after you've taken steps to de funkafy your feet. 
• Try putting fresh lavender into old socks and tying a knot at the end. Stuff your lavender socks into your shoes every night to help them stay fresh and sweet smelling.
• If you live in a cold climate stick your shoes in a freezer bag and put them outside over night (or in to your deep freeze) - this will kill most bacteria and help kill the smells in your shoes.
• Switch up your shoes, don't wear the same pair for days on end
• Try to buy shoes that breathe,
• Walk around barefoot at home to let your feet air out.