New Health Guide
Vinegar has long been a standard solution for many aches, pains and problems. When it comes to your feet, vinegar has been known to help end problems with fungus, foot odor, athlete’s foot and more. The acidic properties of vinegar can even help with softening your feet and soothing dry skin or cracked heels.
The most common vinegar used for a foot soak is simple white vinegar, available from any grocery store. In addition to using white vinegar, other vinegars might be perfect for what ails your feet. These instructions for a vinegar foot soak can help you go from painful or annoying foot problems to clean, soft feet in a matter of weeks.
No matter what type of vinegar soak you use, make sure that the tub or bowl is spotlessly clean before you begin. Don’t worry about the vinegar smell, as that will soon dissipate. The following recipes for a good vinegar foot soak have been shown to make your feet feel and look better.
Vinegar soak for foot fungus:
If you have been on your feet all day, this relaxing mixture will help relieve the aches and pains. In a large foot tub, combine 1 cup of Epsom salt, 1 cup of sea salt, 1 cup of vinegar and ½ cup of dried lavender. Blend it all together with ample amounts of warm or hot water.
Athlete’s foot can be a stinky, itchy mess. Relieve it with five cups of apple cider vinegar for every gallon of water used. Soak your feet for at least ten minutes to help relieve the itching and scratching scaling of athlete’s foot. Do this every day for ten days. When you pull your feet out, finish with a cotton ball dipped in vinegar and run all over the affected areas.
To help combat the odor of smelly feet, combine two parts water with one part vinegar in a foot soak. You can use apple cider vinegar or white vinegar for this. Add in several drops of thyme oil to the water, too – this helps relieve the odor as well. You can also try using a blend of four cups water, four cups vinegar and one and one-half cup of baking soda dissolved in the liquid. Use this vinegar foot soak for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Remember to never use this recipe if you have open sores, scratches or cuts on your feet. Be sure to dry your feet thoroughly, especially between the toes.
Vinegar is also known as acetic acid, which is a mild exfoliate. This can help lessen the appearance of calluses and warts. Blend equal parts white vinegar and hot water, then soak your feet. You can also alternate between soaking in hot water for five minutes to soften them, then soak in pure apple cider vinegar for 15 minutes to work away calluses and warts. You can also apply a cotton ball soaked in vinegar to the problem area, tape it down with gauze or a bandaid and leave it there overnight.
To handle dryness, you will need to immerse your feet in a vinegar foot soak for 45 minutes, then use a pumice stone to work away the dry areas. You can also use a delicate brush on the parts of your foot that are very sensitive, such as the top of the foot or around the ankle. When you’re done, use a good moisturizer on your feet. Do this twice a day to get soft, supple skin.
Blend two parts water with one part vinegar and soak your toes in it for 15 minutes each day. Apple cider vinegar is best, as it has anti-fungal properties. You can also use a dash of Listerine in the water to help hasten healing of the fungal problem.
For everyday care of your feet, try a vinegar foot soak made of two gallons warm water, 1 cup of white vinegar and a few drops of essential oils. Soak for 45 minutes twice a week, then rub the feet gently with a pumice stone. Don’t forget to moisturize afterward! And remember, never use the same solution more than once – always use a fresh solution every time.
Though a vinegar foot soak can be great for most people, there are times when you should avoid it.
