How to Do an Apple Cider Vinegar Foot Soak

By Shannon Couillard

How to Do an Apple Cider Vinegar Foot Soak thegearhunt.com

People commonly use vinegar to soak their feet. Here is an explanation of how to soak with Apple Cider vinegar (ACV) and the benefits you can get from it.

When it comes to getting around, feet and legs are quite important. Because of this, you need to take care of your feet so that they will be able to effectively do their job while not causing any sort of discomfort and/or pain. ACV is a remedy that people have used for many years to treat a vast assortment of problems concerning the feet.

Using ACV for soaking the feet is the most common method for this vinegar in regard to foot problems. So, we will concentrate on that method.

Athlete’s Foot

This is actually the fungal infection of ringworm but on the foot. Mostly, it will affect the skin of your foot and if it isn’t treated, it can spread to your hands and toenails. It can cause your foot to itch, have a burning feeling, and develop scaling and rashes that can be painful, especially right in between your toes.

ACV has antimicrobial, antiseptic, and antifungal properties that will fight the fungus that causes this condition. It can balance the pH levels in your skin in order to provide relief from that burning and itching. It also features an anti-inflammatory property that will treat the irritation and pain.

Here is how to use it for Athlete’s foot:

Add a gallon of water (warm) and 5 cups of ACV to a large bowl or whatever you will be soaking your feet in.
Mix it well and stick your feet in and leave them there for around 15 minutes.
Take your feet out and dry them off thoroughly.

Repeat this process 2 times daily until the Athlete’s foot is gone.

Note:

You can also mix the ACV with an equal amount of water for a detox foot bath. Use this 15 minutes a day for 10 days.

You might also just apply the ACV to the affected area a few times a day. If it stings, then just dilute it with water.

ACV for Fungus of the Toe Nail

Foot fungus commonly grows in moist, warm, and dark environments. This type of fungus can affect your fingernails and toenails. If you don’t treat it properly, it might lead to the edges of your nails crumbling, discoloration, and severe pain.

ACV is able to fight this type of infection because of its antimicrobial and antifungal properties. It will also dry your feet out so that the infection will be prevented from spreading, while the ACV will also balance the pH of your skin.

Steps to follow:

Mix equal amounts of water and ACV.
Soak the toes in the mixture for half an hour.

Dry your feet and massage the toes with tea tree oil mixed with a carrier oil.
Let that naturally dry and repeat the process 4 times a day.
For faster results. You can alternate the foot baths with hot and cold water.

Note:

You can also mix 1/3 cup of Epsom salt with 1/3 cup of ACV with 2 cups of hot water. Soak the toes in this mixture for half an hour.

You might also consider dabbing a bit of undiluted ACV to the toenails that are affected. Leave it to dry naturally.

Alternatively, you can mix 2 cups of hot water with 1 cup of ACV and soak your toes in it for 15 minutes. Rinse them with clean water before drying them with a clean, soft towel.

ACV for Cracked or Dry Feet

Cracked or dry feet can occur because of certain health issues, improper footwear, cold weather, standing for long periods, or being overweight, which can make the skin of the foot lose moisture and can even lead to painful, bleeding cuts.

ACV includes a bit of acetic acid. This can assist in softening the skin and making exfoliation a bit easier. This simply means that it will be easier to get all of those dead skin cells off your feet. An ACV soak can repair cracked and dry skin on your feet quite effectively.

Steps to follow:

Add a cup of ACV to a basin that you have filled with tepid water.
Stir it a bit before soaking your feet. Soak for about 15 minutes.

Take your feet out of the solution and scrub gently with a delicate brush or a pumice stone in order to get rid of that dead skin and the dryness.
Rinse your feet with clean water and then dry them thoroughly.
Apply a natural moisturizer such as olive oil, Shae butter, or coconut oil.

Repeat this process as much as 4 times each week.

ACV for Fatigued or Sore Feet

Foot pain is caused by a number of things. These can include things like standing too long, flat feet, arthritis, plantar fasciitis, ingrown toenails, blisters, calluses, corns, verrucae, gout, strains, sprains, and many more things. If these things are left untreated, they can lead to much worse pain and it can make walking very uncomfortable.

ACV is rich in things like magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, and calcium that can ease the joints in the body and relive any pain in the process. It will flush out any toxins and balance the pH levels in the skin.

Steps to follow:

Mix ½ gallon of water (warm), ½ cup of Epsom salt, and 2 cups ACV.
Let your feet soak in the solution until the solution is cold.

Repeat a couple of times each week until your foot pain is gone.
The warm water in the solution will relax the muscles in the foot while easing strain and stress by promoting the proper circulation of the blood. The Epsom salt works as a detoxifier, while reducing muscle cramps and pain, while also balancing the magnesium and sulfates.

Note:

You can also make a solution with a cup of Epsom salt, sea salt, and ACV along with ½ cup of dried out lavender with the warm water.

ACV for Calluses and Corns

Calluses and corns are hardened, thick layers of skin that can be painful. They develop when your skin attempts to protect itself from pressure or friction that can be caused by standing for long periods of time, improper footwear, etc.

ACV assists in breaking this skin down while also softening its layers. It can relieve the burning and pain because of its anti-inflammatory properties. ACV works to exfoliate your skin, which can lessen the appearance of things like calluses and corns.

Steps to follow:

Mix together equal amounts of warm water and ACV.
Let your feet soak in the solution for 15 minutes.

Once that is done, scrub your feet with a pumice stone in order to remove the dead skin.
Soak your feet for an additional 10minutes before drying them off.
Repeat the process once a week until the issues are handled.

Note:

For treating calluses and warts, let your feet soak in plain hot water for 5 minutes before soaking them in the ACV solution for 15 minutes. Dry them gently and repeat as needed.

You might also apply a cotton ball that has ACV on it to the affected area for a few minutes. Secure it in place with a bandage and leave it on while you sleep.

ACV for Foot Odor

Smelly feet or foot odor typically occurs in the summer or after a long day at work. It is due to sweat. The odor comes from the sweat being mixed with bacteria that is due to hormonal changes, stress, or improper hygiene.

ACV is actually acidic and that will inhibit the growth of the bacteria while also drying the feet out so that the smelly feet issue can be handled.

Steps to follow:

Mix together 9 cups of water with 5 drops of the essential oil thyme and a cup of ACV.
Stir the solution well and then let your feet soak in the solution for 25 minutes.
When you have finished, pat your feet until they are dry and repeat the process until the odor is gone.

Note:

If your feet are sticky, combine 2 parts of water with 1 part ACV. Add a few drops of the the essential oil of thyme to this. Soak the feet for 20 minutes.

If you don’t happen to have any thyme, you can substitute baking soda. Use 4 cups of water 4 cups of ACV and 1 ½ cups of baking soda. Soak for 20 minutes and then dry well.

You might also pour some ACV on some baby wipes and leave them in the refrigerator overnight. Just use these wipes on the soles of your feet as needed.

Other Types of ACV Soaks

Spending a long day while you are on your feet for most of it can leave your feet aching and tired. Soaking them in ACV can both relax and detoxify your feet. It removes things like dead skin cells, bacteria, and toxins.

ACV can soothe your skin in order to remove the pain and tiredness due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It will calm your senses and reduce aching. ACV exfoliates the skin naturally while also removing impurities and dirt to soften your skin.

Mix a foot basin full of water with ½ cup of ACV and 3 tbsp of Epsom salt. If you prefer, you can also add just a few drops of an essential oil. Stir this solution well and then let your feet soak in the solution for half an hour. Scrub your feet gently when you are done, rinse them, and then pat them dry with a towel.

Fill a foot basin with warm water and add a cup of green tea along with ½ cup of ACV. Stir well and let your feet soak in the solution for half an hour. Scrub your feet, rinse, and dry.

That about covers it for ACV in regard to foot soaks. Hope you will try some of these and see how much better your foot issues can get.