How to Get Rid of Foot Odor

Co-authored by Hannah Madden Medically reviewed by Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS

Last Updated: May 8, 2023 Approved

If you deal with sweaty, stinky feet, you’re not alone! Foot odor is a super common problem, especially if you live in a hot or humid environment. Fortunately, there are a few different things you can do to address bad foot odor.

Here are 10 ways to eliminate foot odor for good.

1

Wash your feet once a day.

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The bacteria on your feet build up over time. Try to hop in the shower or the tub and give your feet a wash with antibacterial soap every day. Use a washcloth or a loofah to scrub all over, and don’t forget to get in between your toes! Rinse your feet well with warm water, then dry them off completely with a clean towel.^{[1]
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- Make sure you wash your washcloth or loofah often to avoid a bacteria buildup.
- Drying your feet off well is super important. Moisture breeds bacteria which can lead to more of an odor.

2

File off dry skin.

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Dead, dry skin collects moisture that can harvest bacteria. If you notice any hard areas of dead skin on your feet, use a foot file to gently file them down until they’re gone. Go gently at first and use caution on the other parts of your feet, as foot files can cause irritation.^{[2]
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- You can buy a foot file from your local drugstore or home goods store.
- If you have trouble filing down your feet, try doing it right after you get out of the shower. The skin will be a little softer, so it should be easier to remove.

3

Try a vinegar soak.

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Vinegar kills the fungus that could cause foot odor. In a large tub or bucket, combine 2 parts water with 1 part white vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Stir it together and soak your feet in the mixture for 20 minutes, then rise your feet off. You can do this once a week to get rid of foot odor over time.^{[3]
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- If you have any sores or open wounds on your feet, don’t do a vinegar soak. Vinegar is very irritating, and it could cause you pain.

4

Wear sandals or open-toed shoes often.

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They’ll let air flow around your feet and keep them cool. If you do end up sweating in an open-toed shoe, the sweat will evaporate quickly and your feet won’t get quite as smelly. In the colder months, try wearing leather or canvas shoes to let your feet “breathe.”
- Steer clear of rubber and plastic shoes, as they can make your feet sweat more.

5

Wear moisture-wicking socks.

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These socks will help wick away sweat and odor. Go for cotton or wool socks to make sure they let your feet breathe, even when you’re sweating. Try to stay away from synthetic socks or tights, as they can make your feet sweat more.^{[4]
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- Try looking for special socks made for athletes that are designed to wick away large amounts of sweat.

6

Change your socks daily.

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Socks absorb a lot of sweat (and therefore smell). Try not to rewear your socks, especially for multiple days in a row. If your feet get super sweaty throughout the day, you could even carry an extra pair of socks and change them halfway through.
- Always wear socks with close-toed shoes.

7

Alternate your shoes.

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Let your shoes air out for 24 hours before wearing them again. If you can, try to alternate the days that you wear certain shoes. Your shoes will be less stinky, and you’ll get some variety in your wardrobe, too.^{[5]
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- It might be helpful to have a couple of pairs of the same style shoes. For instance, you could buy 2 pairs of running shoes just in case you go to the gym 2 days in a row.

8

Add baking soda to your shoes.

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A little bit of baking soda can absorb odor and sweat. When you take your shoes off for the day, sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda on the inside of them and leave it there overnight. Before you put your shoes on again, simply dump the baking soda out into the garbage for fresher smelling shoes.^{[6]
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- If your feet start to feel dry or irritated, go a few days without using baking soda. You may need to take periodic breaks from it.

9

Disinfect your shoes.

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Kill the bacteria that’s been building up in your footwear. Take the insole out of your shoes and grab a general-purpose disinfectant spray that contains ethanol. Then, spray the insoles liberally and let them air out for 24 hours. When you put them back in your shoes, they’ll smell a whole lot better.^{[7]
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- Make sure the insole is completely dry before you put it back in your shoe.

Expert Q&A

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Question

I have really bad foot odor and everyone complains about it. Even when I just sit all day my feet smell like I have been running all day! I can't even wear sandals. What do I do?

Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
Registered Nurse
Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.

Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS

Registered Nurse

Expert Answer

If you've tried all of the remedies listed above but still have foot odor, then you may need to talk to a healthcare professional. They can help determine what is causing your foot odor. This is especially important if the foot odor is affecting your quality of life.

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Question

Why doesn't scrubbing my feet in the shower with soap and water do much?

Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
Registered Nurse
Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.

Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS

Registered Nurse

Expert Answer

Although you may be washing the bacteria off of your feet in the shower, your shoes could still be harboring bacteria that cause odor. When you put your shoes on and get sweaty, the conditions breed more bacteria. This causes your foot odor to return. Additionally, you may need to try an antibacterial soap.

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Question

What kind of deodorant can I use to prevent bad foot odor?

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

Expert Answer

I recommend that you purchase Dr. Scholl’s Odor-X odor fighting spray powder.

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Tips

Sometimes foot odor needs to be treated by a medical professional. If none of these methods make a difference, get an appointment with your doctor to talk about your options.^{[8]
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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

If your feet tend to smell, try sprinkling some baby powder on your feet and in your shoes before putting on socks. I've been doing this for years, even in my construction job and playing sports, and it has worked incredibly well to keep odor away. The powder absorbs moisture to prevent bacteria growth. It may sound odd but give it a shot — it really does the trick!
When first starting a foot odor treatment, I'd recommend washing your shoes thoroughly beforehand for best results. Also, scrubbing off dead skin with a pumice stone creates a clean slate. Otherwise, you'll likely be peeling off layers of skin during the initial few days.
If needing to remove shoes around others, duck into the bathroom first. Swap out your socks and use a wipe to freshen your feet. It's a quick fix to contain odor until you can fully wash at home.
To avoid foot odor, be sure to wash your feet daily. Also, having multiple pairs of shoes and rotating them allows each pair to fully dry out between wears, preventing bacteria buildup.

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