15 Best DIY Foot Soaks: Soft & Soothing, Natural & Healing

These best DIY foot soak recipes take seconds to make and restore your feet in a natural, healing soak that will soften skin and remove cracked skin.

15 Best DIY Foot Soaks: Soft & Soothing, Natural & HealingWith all the footwork and pressure that they carry on a daily basis, it’s easy to see why our feet deserve their own pampering time more than any parts of our body.

However, many people think that a relaxing and healing foot bath can only be experienced at a spa salon and holistic centers.

That isn’t true, as I myself have been reaping the benefits of doing the foot soak myself at home.

And you can, too. All you need is a simple guide to perform this rejuvenating ritual using items that are readily available in your house.

For today’s blog, I’ve decided to share with you some of my DIY foot soak recipes for every foot problem.

The bonus? These foot bath concoctions also provide unbelievable calming effects to the mind and the rest of your body.

Rejuvenating Foot Soak Benefits

“Foot soak” has “foot” in its name for a reason: it is meant to be enjoyed by our feet.

For thousands of years, soaking of feet in warm water has been a practice that promotes overall cleanliness among our ancestors.

In alternative medicine, foot baths are given to patients who were experiencing symptoms of fungal and bacterial infections on their feet.

Apparently, there are certain herbs and plant extracts that have antimicrobial and antiseptic properties which inhibit the growth of odor- and callus-causing elements.

A foot soak generally warms you especially during cooler months, and this warmth has been categorized as an analgesic by medical professionals.

The warm feeling it brings helps you relax as your feet enjoy the softening and curative effects of the infused water.

Soaking of feet allows your cracked heels and thick calluses to disintegrate for easier exfoliation.

It also rids your feet of excessive sweating, which brings about unpleasant odor after being trapped for hours inside the footwear.

Some herbs and oils that are incorporated into the foot bath also help in deodorizing smelly feet.

How To Make A Homemade Foot Soak

To make a homemade foot soak, you’ll need to prepare first the warm water which you’re going to dip your feet into. Make sure the temperature is warm enough to give a soothing effect, yet comfortable enough for you to soak in for a maximum of one hour. Fill a foot spa basin or bowl with the water up to the ankle or a little higher. Then add your preferred infusions like salts, essential oils or herbs, depending on the condition of your feet and what results you’re trying to achieve.

If you’ve already warmed the water, it should only take under 30 seconds to infuse your choice of home remedy.

For granulated infusers, you’ll likely need a cup or two of the ingredient to fully take advantage of their curative effects.

As for oils, you’ll need around 5-10 drops of the essential oil or a combination of oils to infuse in your foot soak.

Herbs might take a minute or two to steep in the warm water, so it’s best to use the ones that easily diffuse their scent and color, which can tell you that they’re ready for soaking.

For all of the infusers and their combinations, you should slightly whisk the water to allow the solution to fully combine.

You don’t need to rinse after soaking, either. Just pat your feet dry with a clean towel.

This will allow the infused ingredients to penetrate the skin layers and perform their healing and reparative jobs.

Equipment Needed For A Foot Soak

The good thing about having a foot soak at home is that all you’re going to need is a foot bowl or a shallow basin.

Nothing fancy, unless of course you if you want a basin that does double duty.

I’m referring to my own experience with a foot spa basin that I personally use at home.

It’s a luxurious piece of equipment that not only holds the water but also performs reflexology massage to stimulate my nerves and lymphatic drainage.

This saves me time as I don’t need to manually apply pressure on my soles, heels, and toes just to get extra pampering.

So basically, I get the combined effects of hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, and massage for the price of one.

GET YOUR FOOT SOAK EQUIPMENT HERE:

15 Best DIY Foot Soak Recipes: Soft & Soothing, Natural & Healing

The following DIY foot soak recipes are generally similar, except for the ingredients that serve a particular purpose in addressing a specific foot problem.

All you have to do is prepare the warm water and add in the desired ingredient/s, after which you may soak your feet for 15 minutes to 1 hour.

1. Soothing Peppermint Foot Soak

Peppermint is among the few aromatic herbs that also possess anti-inflammatory properties which can help cure your Athlete’s foot symptoms and wounds resulting from cracked heels.

Add 5-10 drops of peppermint oil into your warm soaking water.

Optional: Add some mint leaves for deodorizing and cooling effects.

{GET YOUR PEPPERMINT OIL HERE}

2. Fungicidal Apple Cider Vinegar Foot Soak

ACV or apple cider vinegar has an acid content that helps fight odor-causing fungal infection.

It also has anti-inflammatory qualities that aid in reducing the itchiness of your soles.

Add a cup of ACV into your warm soaking water.

{GET YOUR ACV HERE}

3. Pain-Relieving Epsom Salt Foot Soak

Epsom salt is ideal for plantar fasciitis, although it is best known as a muscle pain reliever due to its magnesium sulfate content that reduces inflammation on the feet.

Add 1/2 cup of Epsom salt into your warm water and followed by 2-3 drops of your desired essential oil.

GET THE INGREDIENTS FOR YOUR EPSOM SALT FOOT SOAK HERE:

4. Moisturizing Chamomile Tea Foot Soak

Chamomile extract helps with moisturizing cracked heels and softening of thick calluses and corns.

It can also aid in cellular repair by penetrating deep into the skin.

To use, simply steep 6 chamomile tea bags into a basin of warm water.

Optional: Add 5 drops of your favorite aromatherapy oil for relaxation.

{GET YOUR CHAMOMILE TEA HERE}

5. Antibacterial Baking Soda Foot Soak

Baking soda fixes smelly feet by inhibiting the growth of sweat-feeding bacteria.

It is an excellent antibacterial remedy if you’re looking for an inexpensive treatment for your stinky feet.

Add 3 tablespoons of baking soda to your warm soaking water.

Optional: Add 10 drops of preferred essential oil to soak in its scent.

GET THE INGREDIENTS FOR YOUR BAKING SODA FOOT SOAK HERE:

6. Softening Rice Water Foot Soak

Rice water softens the feet by improving your blood circulation and depositing moisture into your thick calluses.

Use boiled rice water and add to the basin of warm water for soaking.

Optional: Rinse your feet if the rice water feels tacky or causes stains.

{GET YOUR RICE HERE}

7. Revitalizing Coconut Milk Foot Soak

Coconut is a wonder plant and it’s milk possesses all the skin nutrients your dull-looking feet need.

It soothes muscle soreness and at the same time replenishes the lost elasticity of your skin.

Add a cup of coconut milk into your warm soaking water.

{GET YOUR COCONUT MILK HERE}

8. Detoxifying Bentonite Clay Foot Soak

Bentonite clay has traces of minerals that can help relieve muscle pain on your soles and joints.

Plus, it offers detoxifying effects that will rid you of harmful toxins, resulting in better lymphatic drainage and even weight loss.

Add 2 cups of bentonite clay into your foot soak water.

Optional: Add rosemary essential oil for scent and hydration.

GET THE INGREDIENTS FOR YOUR BENTONITE CLAY FOOT SOAK HERE:

9. Energizing Coffee Grounds Foot Soak

Caffeine has blood-stimulating and aromatic qualities which makes coffee an energizing foot soak ingredient.

Add 2 cups of ground coffee beans into a basin of warm water.

{GET YOUR COFFEE BEANS HERE}

10. Blood-Stimulating Lemon Tea Foot Soak

Lemon juice is an excellent ingredient to stimulate blood circulation around your feet and nails.

Coupled with the antioxidant properties of a herbal tea, you can enjoy youthful baby feet after each soak.

Squeeze half a lemon juice into your basin of warm water and follow it with 1/2 cup of powdered herbal tea of choice.

{GET YOUR HERBAL TEA HERE}

11. Refreshing Lavender Herbal Foot Soak

The lavender in this recipe lends an aromatic and moisturizing effect to your tired feet.

To make this foot soak, blend 1/4 cup dry oats until powdered and add to the soaking water with dry or fresh lavender blooms.

GET THE INGREDIENTS FOR YOUR LAVENDAR HERBAL FOOT SOAK HERE:

12. Sage Antiperspirant Foot Soak

Sage is a medicinal herb that helps with hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating of the feet.

Coupled with ACV, it can also combat the bacteria that eat on your sweat.

To use, add a few sage leaves into the soaking water along with a 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar.

{GET YOUR ACV HERE}

13. Sweat-Reducing Rosewater Foot Soak

Being a natural astringent, rosewater helps to temporarily constrict sweat glands to avoid excessive perspiration on feet.

Add a cup of rosewater into a basin of warm water.

Optional: Infuse more rose petals for a more rejuvenating experience.

GET THE INGREDIENTS FOR YOUR ROSEWATER FOOT SOAK HERE:

14. Skin Healing Oatmeal Foot Soak

If your feet are suffering from blisters, eczema, or other infections, oatmeal is the go-to solution.

Mix 2 cups of ground oats into your warm water soak.

Optional: Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for scent.

GET THE INGREDIENTS FOR YOUR OATMEAL FOOT SOAK HERE:

15. Antimicrobial Tea Tree Oil Foot Soak

Tea tree oil is antimicrobial and therefore a popular remedy for Athlete’s foot and other similar infections on the feet.

Add 10 drops of tea tree oil to your warm water.

Optional: Add Epsom salt for pain and itch relief.

GET THE INGREDIENTS FOR YOUR TEA TREE OIL FOOT SOAK HERE:

Conclusion

Our feet deserve a little pampering every now and then if we want to keep them healthy and pain-free.

That said, you can help rejuvenate your tired feet by dipping them into a basin of infused foot soak water.

There are specific foot soak recipes that help with certain foot conditions such as Athlete’s foot, fungal and bacterial infections, hyperhidrosis, calluses, cracked heels, and even muscle pains.

Here are the 15 Best DIY Foot Soak Recipes: Soft & Soothing, Natural & Healing:

1. Soothing Peppermint Foot Soak

2. Fungicidal Apple Cider Vinegar Foot Soak

3. Pain-Relieving Epsom Salt Foot Soak

4. Moisturizing Chamomile Tea Foot Soak

5. Antibacterial Baking Soda Foot Soak

6. Softening Rice Water Foot Soak

7. Revitalizing Coconut Milk Foot Soak

8. Detoxifying Bentonite Clay Foot Soak

9. Energizing Coffee Grounds Foot Soak

10. Blood-Stimulating Lemon Tea Foot Soak

11. Refreshing Lavender Herbal Foot Soak

12. Sage Antiperspirant Foot Soak

13. Sweat-Reducing Rosewater Foot Soak

14. Skin Healing Oatmeal Foot Soak

15. Antimicrobial Tea Tree Oil Foot Soak

I hope that you can take a pick from this list of DIY foot soak recipes to cure your long-suffering feet and give it the VIP treatment they truly deserve.

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