(First published April 16, 2025)
Pretty, Healthy Feet 101 and 6 DIY Practically Free Foot Soaks
DID YOU KNOW .. OUR FEET NEED AIR! Especially after a long winter in thick socks, covered shoes, boots, etc. Our toenails and the skin on our feet need to BREATHE. Wearing socks all the time does not allow air to flow and creates a moist, warm environment where fungus and weird stuff can really grow. That's a new one for me, but it makes PERFECT sense!
ALSO: If your feet and toe nails are struggling, it will NEVER be a bad idea to take a cotton ball soaked in My Miracle Tea concentrate and to gently wipe your feet and especially the cuticles 2-3 times a day! You can do this in addition to the Vinegar Foot Soak below and really see a difference!
VINEGAR FOOT SOAKS! Our feet are regularly exposed to dryness (yup, we know), bacteria, fungi, etc. (This is where stinky feet come from.) Then there's cracked skin, callouses and more. These can lead to other problems. (Anybody remember their mom removing their callouses with razor blades in the bathtub???? Or experience infected cracks or painful, itchy rashes?)
Vinegar is rich in acids and anti-fungal compounds. Soaking your feet in vinegar helps regulate the pH of your skin!
Why would you want to soak your feet in vinegar??? How about:
1. FOOT ODOR: Because vinegar is antimicrobial, soaking the feet in a vinegar bath for 10-20 minutes regularly helps to kill the bacteria or fungi that leads to the odor. You'll want to clean before and after your vinegar soak with regular soap -- first so the vinegar bath is solely for attacking the bacteria and after to remove the vinegar odor.
2. ATHLETE'S FOOT: Is an infectious skin disease caused by certain fungi. You can pick it up at the gym or swimming pool. Soaking feet in vinegar helps ward off fungal infections!
3. FOOT WARTS: Warts are caused by a viral infection. Once again, Since vinegar has antimicrobial properties, it can help protect against these viruses!
4. ITCHY FEET: A pH imbalance can cause dry skin or an overgrowth of foot fungus. Both of these conditions can make your feet very itchy. Isn't it awful when they start itching??? Especially in the middle of the night. Sometimes badly itching feet have actually woken us up from a deep sleep!
5. CORNS & CALLOUSES: The acetic acid in vinegar acts as an exfoliant and emollient, which is ideal for removing dead skin and softening hard spots.
PRECAUTIONS:
Before providing the recipes, here aa few precautions just to be on the safe side.
- Perform a patch test because your skin may be sensitive to any ingredient in the foot soak.
- If you have sores or cuts in your skin, consult a doctor before using a foot soak.
- Dilute essential oils in a carrier oil first before putting them in water.
- If you develop skin irritation after using a foot soak, wash your feet under running water. Get medical help if the skin reaction worsens.
- Avoid hot water soaks if you have uncontrolled diabetes or diabetic nerve disease. Since your feet may not sense higher temperatures, and you may suffer burns.
HOW TO DO A VINEGAR FOOT SOAK:
Start with clean feet using regular soap and a brush. Next: It's best, if possible, to use Bragg's Vinegar that has the "mother" floating around in it. But if you don't have that, good old apple cider or white vinegar will more than do the trick.
1. Fill a large bucket or basin (as mentioned above, we found some glass baking dishes that were perfect!) with 1 cup of vinegar and 2 cups of warm water.
2. Continue adding 1 cup of vinegar to 2 cups of water until the basin is full.
3. Soak your feet for 10-20 minutes.
4. Rinse your feet using regular soap and water to remove the vinegar odor.
Here are 5 more recipes that will be lovely by themselves, or you can add ingredients together for your own luxury soak!
- Warm water soak: Warm water soaks not only provide a relaxing effect but also soften calusses, especially around the heel area, which can be removed by scrubbing later. Pour warm water into a small tub and soak your feet for about 15-20 minutes. This can be followed by scrubbing with a pumice stone. Scrubbing the feet 1-2 times a week can prevent the calluses from becoming painful.
- Epsom salt soak: Epsom salt is effective at exfoliating the dead skin of your feet and is also a great remedy for smelly feet because it pulls moisture out of your skin, thus preventing the growth of bacteria. Dissolve ½ cup of Epsom salt in a small tub of warm water. Soak your feet in the solution for 10 minutes. You can follow it up with a pumice stone scrub. However, make sure to not overdo it as it can dry out your skin.
- Lemon juice soak: Lemon juice is antimicrobial and can help clean the skin. Squeeze juice from 1-2 lemons and dilute with warm water. Soak your feet in it for 10-15 minutes, rinse, and pat dry. Avoid using undiluted lemon juice if you have cracks or sores in your feet, as the lemon juice can cause a burning sensation.
- Baking soda soak: Baking soda soak is an effective home remedy to relieve itchy feet. Dissolve 1/4 cup baking soda in a small tub of warm water. You can also add oatmeal to the mixture. Submerge your feet and soak for about 10-5 minutes. Rinse your feet and pat them dry with a clean cloth or towel. You can apply a moisturizer or oil to your feet to prevent your skin from drying out.
- Essential oil soak: Essential oils can help get your blood flowing and relieve tension. You can use 5-20 drops of any essential oils you like, diluting them in warm water and adding other ingredients for exfoliation or moisturization.
ENJOY YOUR HEALTHY, PRETTY FEET!