This week I’ve been on my feet a lot, since I’ve been so busy in the garden. Digging and weeding is such hard work! While I love being outside, sometimes my feet think otherwise, and the pain from standing so much eventually gets to me. When that happens, there’s nothing I love more than treating myself to a nice foot soak. I used to only use warm water and Epsom salt, but now I know that I can do so much more for my feet than just using those two ingredients! Here are my three favourite foot soaks, they’re really easy and they might even surprise you! Amp up the zen by throwing some flowers into your basin, or by lighting some candles.
1. Vinegar soak: in a basin of warm water, add a cup of white vinegar. Let your feet soak for up to half an hour, and then rinse. The odor should disappear after rinsing, but you can help it along by rubbing your feet with tea tree oil after drying your feet. This soak is often used to help with stinky feet and athlete’s foot, but it’s great for helping tired feet as well.
2. Listerine soak: in a basin of warm water, add between 3-5 cap-fulls of original Listerine. Let your feet soak in it for 20 minutes before rinsing and drying. Listerine works wonders on cracked heels and sore feet, I have friends who swear by this soak! This one is definitely one of my most-used foot soaks because it works wonders.
3. Lemon Tea soak: add the juice of half a lemon to a basin of warm water, and a cup of strong tea (leave the tea bag in your soak, why not). Let your feet soak in the mixture for up to 20 minutes, and then wash and dry your feet. I love this soak because it smells great, and because lemons are full of antioxidants that look after your skin and help your circulation.
After using any of these foot soaks, make sure to dry your feet thoroughly. You can follow up a soak by moisturizing your feet, and trimming your toe nails if you have to!
