It can be embarrassing taking off your shoes at a friend's house when you're already anticipating the odor you know is lingering inside your shoes emanating from your feet. It makes it difficult to walk confidently into shoe stores and any other place where you may need to remove your shoes around other people. Foot odor makes for awkward social scenarios and can effectively destroy intimate moments. Getting this problem under control takes a small amount of effort on the part of the person who suffers from this condition, but in the end the results are more than worth it.
Step 1
Wash your feet daily or twice a day if the smell is really bad. Use an antibacterial soap to thoroughly wash your feet clean of any bacteria, which is the primary cause of the odor. Rinse them well in warm water, then dry them off completely with a soft, clean and dry towel.
Step 2
Alternate shoes and don't wear the same shoes two days in a row. The odor can easily get trapped in your shoes and transferred back onto your clean feet, so give your shoes time to air out before putting them back on. If your shoes have a bad odor as well, fill two clean socks with baking soda and set them inside the shoes to absorb odors and moisture.
Step 3
Apply antiperspirant to your feet before you put your shoes on and head out the door. For additional odor relief, you can sprinkle baking soda into your socks before you put them on to help absorb moisture.
Step 4
Take advantage of every opportunity to walk around barefoot when you're at home to allow your feet a chance to air out. When you have to put on shoes and socks again, make sure it's a fresh pair of each. Wear cotton socks to allow air to get through to your skin, and loose-fitting shoes so as not to squeeze your feet and make them sweat.
Step 5
Mash ginger root into a paste and place it into a bowl. Pour hot water over the paste to cover it, then allow it to sit for an hour. Dip a clean cloth into the water and use it to wipe your feet with. Do this every day for at least two weeks to see an improvement.
Tips and Warnings
- Drink plenty of water each day to keep your body hydrated, six to eight glasses daily, and avoid things that can dehydrate your body such as caffeine and alcohol.
- If the odor persists and nothing seems to help, talk to your doctor about possible causes and treatments.
Things You'll Need
- Antibacterial soap
- Soft, clean and dry towel
- Baking soda
- Antiperspirant
- Cotton socks
- Ginger root
- Bowl
- Clean cloth
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