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.

Vinegar Foot Soak

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:

1. For Fatigued Feet

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.

2. For Athlete's Foot

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.

3. For Smelly Feet

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.

4. For Warts and Calluses

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.

5. For Dry Toes

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.

6. For Toenail Fungus

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.

7. For Regular Care

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.

Warnings about Vinegar Foot Soak

Though a vinegar foot soak can be great for most people, there are times when you should avoid it.

• If you have any open sores, wounds, scratches or cuts on your feet, don’t use vinegar for soaking. If you have diabetes or other diseases that affect blood flow to the feet, use extreme caution when you have a foot problem.
• In most cases, you will need to see a doctor and get an expert opinion before you use a vinegar foot soak.
• If you use vinegar foot soaks on a regular basis and begin to notice a rash, redness, itching or irritation, your foot soaks might be irritating your feet. This is especially true if you have one of the problems listed above. In order to fix this problem, you can either reduce how often you use a vinegar foot soak, or you can decrease the amount of vinegar in the solution until it becomes comfortable for you. But if that irritation doesn’t go away, it’s time to stop the foot soaks and speak to a doctor before you resume them.