Make Your Own Foot Powder
There is no need to be embarrassed by foot and shoe odor when the answer is as close as your kitchen. Common household items can easily be mixed into effective homemade versions of expensive store-bought deodorizing powders.
Foot and shoe odors are caused when bacteria on the skin feeds on trapped perspiration. Eliminate that moisture with a soothing powder and odors will disappear, leaving your feet and shoes feeling and smelling fresh.
Homemade moisture-absorbing foot powder can start with such kitchen staples as cornstarch, baking soda and baking powder.
Ingredients can also include alum powder, boric acid powder, talcum powder, arrowroot powder and kaolin clay powder. (White kaolin clay is a very fine powder used as a base in body powders and make-up. Light on the skin, it is highly absorbent and is available in bulk stores.)
Oils are essential
A few drops of essential oils can be added for a fresh fragrance. Certain oils are thought to be effective against bacteria and fungus. Tea tree oil is fungicidal, antiseptic, anti-bacterial and antiviral, and is thought to be particularly effective against athlete’s foot.
Lavender oil, besides being prized for its scent, may have fungicidal, antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Sandalwood offers a more rustic scent and an antiseptic component.
Store and use
A batch of homemade foot powder can be stored in any container with a good seal. A zippered plastic bag is fine. Recycle a spice dispenser or repurpose a grated cheese or sugar shaker from the dollar store. Be sure to label your product and keep it out of reach of pets and children.
To use, dust the inside of shoes with a tablespoon of powder and let sit overnight. In the morning, pour out excess powder. Or sprinkle a pinch or two of powder in shoes and tap them to evenly spread the powder before putting them on to start your day.
Formulas for success
Crafting a batch of homemade foot powder is as simple as pouring the ingredients in a bowl, whisking them together and transferring the finished product to a dispenser or storage container. If lumps form, sift the product and return it to a clean, dry container.
Now, let’s look at some foot powder formulas:
Formula No. 1
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup baking powder
5 drops of your favorite essential oil for fragrance
Formula No. 2
3 tbsp. cornstarch
3 tbsp. baking soda
15 drops tea tree essential oil
15 drops eucalyptus essential oil
10 drops lavender essential oil
Formula No. 3
Equal parts baking soda and cornstarch
Essential oil of choice to desired scent
Formula No. 4
4 tbsp. boric acid powder
1/3 c. unscented talcum
1 tbsp. powdered alum
Formula No. 5
1/2 c. cornstarch
1/2 c. baking soda
12-14 drops peppermint oil
Formula No. 6
1/2 c. orris root powder or baking soda
16 drops tea tree oil
16 drops lavender oil
Formula No. 7
6 tbsp. cornstarch or arrowroot powder
3 tbsp. baking soda
5-10 drops tea tree oil
5 -10 drops eucalyptus oil
10-15 drops peppermint oil
While you’re at it, consider homemade shoe deodorizer balls. All you need is a plain charcoal briquette and a sock. Simply place crushed charcoal into the sock, tie it off and store it in the shoe when it’s not being worn.
The above remedies are very good and truly note worthy to say the lease. However, you need to really go to the source to kill that bacteria or keep it under control; I’m talking about your feet, socks, and shoes.
As noted above bacteria is the cause of the locker-room smell of your feet, socks and shoes. Bacteria really loves warm, dark, moist places to live and multiply. So how do you get rid of this bacteria and the smell? First wash your feet with soap and water. Wear clean socks, (Change them daily.) Allow your shoes and sneakers to dry out after heavy use. Yes, this means that you have to have two pairs of shoes or sneakers. The bacteria will eventually will find their way into your shoes over time. However, by allowing the footwear to dry out will curtail the microbial growth down to a minimum.
Lets say for kicks and giggles you still have a foot smelly problem and soap and water isn’t really doing its job, use apple vinegar or white vinegar. Just soak your feet in this solution for 10 minutes, let air dry and you will not have a smelly foot problem. Don’t wash the vinegar off. The vinegar will eat and kill your foot bacteria. Then you can use your foot powders to keep your feet dry as well as your shoes and sneakers.
Speaking of foot powders, I would like to suggest something that you should have on hand at all times. I have found that this particular medicated powder does more than keep the smell down in my shoes but helps me with the day-to-day hygiene. It is called Gold Bond Medicated powder. It has a trace of zinc that deters bacteria growth. I not only use it on my feet to keep them dry, but, for those parts of my body that tend to remain moist, (the cracks and crevasses where my thigh meets my body.) I also pour a little of this body powder in my shoes and sneakers to deter bacteria growth.
You can use whatever you feel that works for you. However, your personal hygiene, especially foot hygiene, should be your number one priority. If you don’t take care of yourself, then who will.