# My feet stink: advice? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 27, 2010, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-feet-stink-advice/555244 "2010-09-27T16:48:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2010, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-feet-stink-advice/555244/21 "2010-09-27T19:36:46Z")
One of my former coworkers used to just spray her feet with regular aerosol deodorant. She said it worked really well. StG ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2010, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-feet-stink-advice/555244/22 "2010-09-27T23:23:56Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Check. I shower every day. (Vast majority anyway.) > > Hmmm.. Foot powder, eh? I can try that. > > Check. > > Check. No issues here. > > Check again. If you’re doing all that stuff already and your feet don’t seem to be particularly sweaty (when you take off your shoes, are your socks always damp?) then I’ll go along with others and guess that something funky started growing in that particular pair of shoes. If you wear other shoes does the odor go away? If so, get some sneaker spray (I picked up a can of generic antifungal foot/sneaker spray for about $6 at the drugstore), give your leather shoes a good spritz and let them sit there to dry for a few days. If the insole/sock liner is old or funky, ditch it and get a replacement (doesn’t have to be anything fancy, replacement liners are just a few bucks). While rubbing alcohol from a sprayer may do the trick I’d be worried about drying out the leather and potentially messing up the polish on a pair of nice shoes, I think the shoe spray is worth it. ---
**Author:** ![Silophant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@Silophant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silophant)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2010, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-feet-stink-advice/555244/23 "2010-09-27T23:29:12Z")
> [@Anne\_Neville](#): > > How long has it been since you washed those shoes? If they’re cloth shoes, you can do them in the washing machine. I find the dryer doesn’t do much to dry them, but they dry in a couple of days. If you stuff your shoes with newspaper, they’ll dry overnight. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-feet-stink-advice/555244/24 "2010-09-28T01:35:39Z")
An electric fan works, too. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-feet-stink-advice/555244/25 "2010-09-28T02:23:33Z")
It can’t hurt to try an athlete’s foot treatment, just in case! I had it once, the only symptom was a little bit of peeling skin between my big toe and it’s neighbor. But - stinky feet! I really liked Lamisil. It’s got the shortest treatment time, and took care of the problem in no time. I dealt with the stinky feet for quite a while before figuring the Lamisil treatment couldn’t hurt, so why not - and then problem solved. It’s really nice not to worry about stinky feet. Now I just make sure to wear fresh socks every day and use 2 pair of shoes, each every other day to give ample dry-out time. And I really hadn’t thought I had athlete’s foot, but apparently I did. I blame a guy I dated for a short time who used my shower. ---
**Author:** ![NetTrekker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nettrekker/32/2909_2.png) [@NetTrekker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NetTrekker)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-feet-stink-advice/555244/26 "2010-09-28T02:33:37Z")
I found out one summer that wearing my sneakers a lot without socks caused the shoes to absorb and radiate the funk (with wearing socks, they protect the shoes and get changed regularly so no problem). I was working night shift and kept smelling someone’s stinky feet and was tempted to say something about it…imagine my surprise when I realized it was me ! ---
**Author:** ![moejoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@moejoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moejoe)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-feet-stink-advice/555244/27 "2010-09-28T02:40:24Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Soak your feet in a tub of tea, once a day. Seriously. Just plain generic black tea. It might work the first time, or it might take a couple of weeks, but it will work. Yep, this is the cure if it’s a chronic issue. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-feet-stink-advice/555244/28 "2010-09-28T02:45:40Z")
My feet used to stink a lot, but they haven’t since I found a surefire method I’ll tell you my secret…I never wear shoes! But, seriously, you need to disinfect and deodorize your shoe. You’ve got to get the shoe clean. And it’s definitely the shoe if it happened in a plastic bag. You need antifungal spray, antimicrobial spray (even lysol will do). Febreeze can add extra deodorize, but you can try the ones designed for foot stuff as well. Air them out after each product, before using the next. I’ve also heard of freezing them. If you are not too attached to the shoes, try washing them in a washing machine. If there isn’t any exposed stitching, chances are they’ll make it through. Only after doing all of this is dealing with your feet going to do any good, using the advice already offered. And definitely wear more than one shoe. ---
**Author:** ![BayouHazard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@BayouHazard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BayouHazard)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-feet-stink-advice/555244/29 "2010-09-28T02:47:23Z")
I would actually pour a splash of the strongest-content rubbing-alcohol in them and leave it overnight, or conversely, use hand sanitizer in them every time you take off the shoes, glopping the entire sole surface. If that doesn’t work, get the Dr Scholl’s odor eaters but with this caveat: put a thin layer of baking soda down in the shoe first, then the odor-eater on top. And you can still pour the liquid rubbing alcohol on this whole shebang every night-in fact I recommend that. You might also try taking your shoes/socks off during the day and putting hand sanitizer on your bare feet-preferably alone. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-feet-stink-advice/555244/30 "2010-09-28T02:51:15Z")
> [@moejoe](#): > > > [@panache45](#): > > > > Soak your feet in a tub of tea, once a day. Seriously. Just plain generic black tea. It might work the first time, or it might take a couple of weeks, but it will work. > > Yep, this is the cure if it’s a chronic issue. > [@panache45](#): > > Soak your feet in a tub of tea, once a day. Seriously. Just plain generic black tea. It might work the first time, or it might take a couple of weeks, but it will work. Anyone want to offer a suggestion why something that sounds like on old wives tale works? Buhler? Anyone? ---
**Author:** ![Critical\_Mass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@Critical\_Mass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical_Mass)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-feet-stink-advice/555244/31 "2010-09-28T02:51:25Z")
Is the problem excessively sweaty feet? A very effective and powerful antiperspirant for use on hands, feet and underarms is [Drysol.](http://www.drugs.com/cdi/drysol-solution.html) Many years of highly embarrassing underarm perspiration stopped overnight for me. They have it behind the counter at the pharmacy. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-feet-stink-advice/555244/32 "2010-09-28T03:04:50Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > One of my former coworkers used to just spray her feet with regular aerosol deodorant. She said it worked really well. > > StG Same here. Shower or wash and dry your feet and then spray the underside of your toes and between them with a deorderant/anti-perspirant, then a shot to the soles just in case. I’d suggest you try Arrid Extra Dry - it has the highest percentage of Aluminum Chlorohydrate (of the brands at the store I go to anyway), which is the active ingredient in most of the deodorants I’m aware of. ---
**Author:** ![Zulema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/db5fbb/32.png) [@Zulema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zulema)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-feet-stink-advice/555244/33 "2010-09-28T03:12:51Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > > [@SP2263](#): > > > > Cool Max socks and chlorophyll tablets. > > Do I ingest the chlorophyll? Do I need to sun my feet afterwards? 😃 Actually there are chlorophyll tablets that are supposed to help with any body odor. My dog had really smelly feet and we give him a chlorophyll chewy every night and his feet hardly smell at all now. Not too much sun or you might turn into The Human Tree. ---
**Author:** ![JFLuvly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac91a4/32.png) [@JFLuvly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JFLuvly)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-feet-stink-advice/555244/34 "2010-09-28T03:23:21Z")
> [@](#): > > Anyone want to offer a suggestion why something that sounds like on old wives tale works? Buhler? Anyone? > Reply With Quote The tannins supposedly keep your feet dry and kill bacteria and fungus. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-feet-stink-advice/555244/35 "2010-09-28T03:26:08Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > > [@moejoe](#): > > > > Yep, this is the cure if it’s a chronic issue. > > > [@panache45](#): > > > > Soak your feet in a tub of tea, once a day. Seriously. Just plain generic black tea. It might work the first time, or it might take a couple of weeks, but it will work. > > Anyone want to offer a suggestion why something that sounds like on old wives tale works? Buhler? Anyone? Just a WAG - but tea will dry out your skin. If you have an open sore (like a blister,) wrapping a tea soaked bandage around it will cause a scab to form overnight. I guess dryer feet might cause less odor. ---
**Author:** ![Jake\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Jake\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake_Jones)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-feet-stink-advice/555244/36 "2010-09-28T03:36:14Z")
I had a huge problem with foot odor up until my early 20s. Bad, like really bad. I don’t think too highly of the Dr. Scholl’s insoles. Odor Eaters are much more effective, in my experience. The best tip I ever got though, was Absorbine Jr. Original Liniment. It worked way better than any foot spray or powder for me. You’ll find it in the drug store, next to the Ben Gay, as it’s a pain relief liniment. It’s not as pungent as Ben Gay or similar topical creams, so you won’t smell like a locker room or a nursing home. I have no idea why it works, but my uncle swore by it and it was very effective for me. It’ll probably cost you about $5-8 to find out if it works for you, and I would recommend giving it a fair shake with a fresh pair of shoes. Once a pair of shoes get funky, it’s practically impossible to reverse. Apply it every morning before you put your shoes on, and team it up with some Odor Eaters. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-feet-stink-advice/555244/37 "2010-09-28T04:57:44Z")
> [@SP2263](#): > > Cool Max socks and chlorophyll tablets. Better is Smartwool, but they are both good ideas. More health food stores (online also) carry Chloro tabs, even Amazon, iirc. Works for BO, Bad breath and farts, too. Next- never wear any pair of shoes more than one day at a time. Cedar shoe trees work great. Wintergreen rubbing alcohol works great on the feet, cools and kills the fungus and germs. Anti-fungal powder works better than Gold Bond. Toss those old shoes, get new ones. ---
**Author:** ![komolono](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/komolono/32/532_2.png) [@komolono](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/komolono)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-feet-stink-advice/555244/38 "2010-09-28T06:38:37Z")
Dr. Scholl’s is a good start. Buying a new pair of shoes even better. But if it is you that is smelling, try eating potato peels. It’s loaded with potassium - natural smell-killer. You can cook them like french fries. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-feet-stink-advice/555244/39 "2010-09-28T12:14:48Z")
We have baked potatoes a few times a week, and I eat the skin. My potassium level is fine, as indicated on my last whole body radiation count. I tried Johnson’s Baby Powder in my socks and shoes this morning, and it feels nice, but it ain’t working. I can feel my feet sweating as I type. Antiperspirant may do the job, or maybe Lysol, or both. Stay tuned… ---
**Author:** ![JFLuvly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac91a4/32.png) [@JFLuvly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JFLuvly)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-feet-stink-advice/555244/40 "2010-09-28T12:20:17Z")
Try the tea, people swear by it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-feet-stink-advice/555244.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-feet-stink-advice/555244.md?page=3)