Foot odor is a common problem with lots of ineffective treatments.

Sprays, creams, powders and insoles might minimize foot odor, but these products are designed to keep you buying them on a regular basis. Natural remedies like vinegar baths, or soaking feet with epsom salts and essential oils may have some benefits, but they're not convenient. The worst remedies are old wives' tales like "put your shoes in the freezer." Nonsense.

It's important to understand why feet stink before trying to solve the problem.

Why Most Foot Odor Treatments Fail

Brevibacteria are the cause of smelly feet. This genus of bacteria eats dead skin and creates a stinky, sulfuric waste product. You can wash your feet thoroughly, but that won't stop the bacteria in your shoes from recolonizing your feet. You can kill the bacteria in your shoes with an antibacterial spray (like Lysol), but that won't stop the waste product from stinking. You can clean your shoes thoroughly, but that won't stop new bacteria from growing on your skin.

The only way to "eliminate" foot odor is to attack all of these causes at once.

How to Prevent Foot Odor