Try This Black Tea Soak to Eliminate Foot Odor Cheaply, Quickly and Once and For All
Black tea works wonders to end smell because it's high in deodorizing tannic acid
During the warmer months, our feet tend to smell a little funkier than usual. There are several factors that can contribute to foot odor, but doing a black tea foot soak could help nix the problem.
A Black Tea Foot Soak For Sweaty, Smelly Feet
To understand how a black tea foot soak might help with your funky feet, it’s important to know why they smell in the first place. One culprit is fungus that could be growing on the feet, such as in conditions like athlete’s foot; the other reason is sweating. When sweat interacts with bacteria in shoes or socks, the smell can be unpleasant. Both fungus and bacteria thrive in moist environments, and since the hands and feet contain way more sweat glands than any other part of the body, they’re the most prone to unwanted odors.
Black tea fights foot odor because it is high in tannic acid, which kills bacteria while also helping to close the pores (which will prevent or lessen sweating). In fact, a black tea foot soak is one of the oldest home remedies for smelly feet. The trick is making the tea strong so the acids can work harder. If you have a condition like athlete’s foot, you can soak your feet for 30 minutes once per day for a week. Otherwise, perform your foot soak as often as you’d like. Think of it as the perfect self-care activity.
To make a black tea foot soak, just boil two black tea bags in a pint of water for 15 minutes. Next, remove the tea bags and dilute your tea with two more quarts of water and allow it to cool. Pour the mixture into a large basin that’s big enough for you to soak your feet in, then relax and enjoy your foot soak. You should keep your feet submerged in the tea for at least 15 minutes. For added antibacterial and antifungal benefits, add in a few drops of tea tree essential oil! Just be sure to do a test patch on your skin first to check for adverse reactions.
It’s important to note that excessive sweating and foot odor can also be caused by a genetic condition called hyperhidrosis, though this primarily affects men. Other factors may also influence how much sweat our bodies produce, including hormonal changes (like menopause), stress, and certain medications. Fungal infections may also occur if left untreated. If you notice that the problem is persistent or getting worse, check with your doctor to rule out any other possibilities.
Just as well, the issue of smelly feet cannot be resolved without addressing your footwear. If you’re wearing the same shoes over and over again and notice a smell coming from them, bacteria may be living inside in there and it may be time to wash or swap out the pair. On a similar note, be sure that you’re wearing socks with any closed shoes, and that you’re rotating your socks (or tossing them) as needed. Socks that are thick and made with cotton tend to absorb the most moisture.
The weather might be warm, but your sweaty dogs need not embarrass you any longer thanks to a simple and relaxing black tea foot soak! We hope this home remedy gets you through the rest of the season.
For more on keeping feet healthy:
5 Fast Fixes for Cracked Skin, Heel Pain, Blisters, and Other Foot Troubles
The Surprising Link Between Estrogen and Foot Pain
Podiatrists Reveal the Fastest, Easiest Way to Cure Athlete’s Foot At Home: Garlic Soaks
