We are constantly on our feet, so it’s not a surprise if our feet feel sore and tired after a long day. The easy way to relax and give your feet a good rest is to pamper your feet with a homemade foot bath.
Homemade foot bath not just allow you to have an at-home spa treatment where you can relax and unwind, but you can also choose the ingredients of your foot bath recipes, so you can get more benefits.
If you’re interested in making your own foot bath, whether it is for sore feet, for athlete’s foot or even for just relaxing, I got you covered.
Keep reading for the best homemade foot bath recipes that will soothe, moisturize and smooth your feet.
What Is Good To Soak Dry Feet In?
You can choose these natural ingredients when making your own DIY Foot Bath:
- Epsom salt is the best option for a homemade foot bath because it’s effective to ease all kind of aches, relax muscles, soothe and soften the skin.
- Vinegar has antibacterial properties that help eliminate the bacteria that cause odor on your feet, vinegar also has antifungal properties.
- Essential oils can be used in a homemade foot bath. Here are some popular choices of oils:
- Lavender oil is great for relaxation and may effective in relieving pain.
- Eucalyptus oil an antimicrobial and antiseptic.
- Lemongrass oil can help treat skin inflammation and fungal infections.
- Peppermint oil for refreshing cooling effect.
Preparation
Before you start to make DIY foot bath recipes below, be sure you have prepared these basics:
- Tub. To soak your feet, you can use a plastic dish tub or foot bath.
- Warm water. It’s better to have some additional hot water if you’re not using a water heater to freshen up the water.
- Towel. Have a clean dry mat or towel to rinse and dry your feet.
- Time. Soak your feet for 15 to 30 minutes.
1. Foot Bath for Sore and Achy Feet
A foot bath with hot water is enough to treat your sore, achy and painful feet. But adding Epsom salt can help to soothe your tired feet.
Ingredients
- ½ cup Epsom salt
- 5-20 drops of essential oil, such as lavender or peppermint (optional)
- 2 tbsp of carrier oil, (optional)
Directions
- Dissolve the Epsom salt in hot water.
- If using essential oils, blend them with carrier oil
- Add the mixture to the water
2. Foot Bath for Relaxation and Aromatherapy
If you have a stressed day, then a foot bath is an opportunity to relax your mind and body. Adding some essential oils to your foot bath can give you a relaxation effect and may help relieve stress.
Ingredients
- 5-20 drops of essential oils, such as lavender or chamomile
- 2 tbsp of carrier oil
- ½ cup Epsom salt
Directions
- Mix essential oils and carrier oil into a bowl
- Add the mixture and Epsom salt to the hot water
- Slowly dissolve the mixture in the foot bath.
3. Foot Bath for Dry, Itchy Feet
These moisturizing properties will help leave your skin smooth and soft.
Ingredients for moisturizing
- 1 cup warm coconut milk
- ½ cup colloidal oatmeal
- 1 tbsp of jojoba oil (optional)
- Warm water, not hot
Directions
- Mix warm coconut milk and colloidal oatmeal into a bowl
- slowly add the mixture to the water and stir
- Add jojoba oil and stir in
After you soak your feet, you can apply an oil-based moisturizer such as shea butter or glycerin. You can also wear a pair of cotton socks so the moisturizer will penetrate deeply and seal in moisture.
4. Foot Bath for Exfoliation
These exfoliate agents can help you get rid of dead skin. Using a scrub, washcloth or pumice stone for better results.
Ingredients
- 1 cups vinegar (apple cider or white)
- Carrier oil, such as jojoba or olive
- 1 cup Epsom salt
Directions
- Add vinegar to the warm water
- Mix oil and Epsom salt in a bowl then set aside
- Soak your feet for 15 minutes
- Rub the salt mixture on your feet
- Soak the feet for few minutes, then use a pumice stone or washcloth to remove excess dead skin.
- Rinse your feet with fresh water and pat dry with a towel
5. Foot Bath for Foot Odor
If you’re battle with foot odor and want to get rid of it, use ingredients that contain antimicrobial that may help kill the bacteria that make them smell.
Ingredients
- ½ cup of vinegar (apple cider or white)
- 4 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
- Carrier oil
Directions
- Mix essential oil with carrier oil in a bowl
- Add the mixture and vinegar to the water
- Slowly dissolve the mixture in the foot bath.
- Pat dry with a towel or rinse your feet with freshwater first
6. Foot Bath for Athlete’s Foot
Several ingredients like baking soda and tea tree oil can help reduce the growth of fungus that causes nail infection and athlete’s foot.
Ingredients
- ½ cup of baking soda
- 5 drops of tea tree oil
- 2 drops of lemongrass essential oil
- 1 tbsp of carrier oil
Directions
- Mix essential oil with carrier oil in a bowl
- Add the mixture and baking soda to the water
- Slowly dissolve the mixture in the foot bath.
Always remember that this homemade foot bath does not replace medical treatment for fungal infections. So it better to speak with a doctor if you have indications of skin infection or fungal nail.
Safety Tips
There are a few precautions that you need to keep in mind to make sure that your feet bath is safe for you.
- Test the temperature of the water before submerging your feet.
- Some people that may have sensitive skin tend to react to certain ingredients in foot baths such as baking soda and essential oils. So it’s important to patch test first before using the ingredients.
- If you have open wounds, cuts, or broken skin, then you should avoid a foot bath or talk to a doctor first.
- Do not use a razor to remove dead skin, as it is not safe to do that at home or without medical professionals.
- Remove your feet from the basin and rinse away any residual ingredients with water if you experience adverse reactions.
While Doing Foot Bath
As you soaking your feet, you can also play your favorite playlist, have a manicure, face mask, read a book or if you’re in the mood you can get your leg scrub with this homemade body scrub.
Give Yourself The Attention You Deserve
Now it’s time for you to enjoy and feel the relaxing vibes that you get from these easy and simple DIY foot baths where you can rest and focus on yourself.
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