Listerine Foot Soak – Recipes And Tutorial For Soft Feet

Rumor has it that Listerine foot soak can do wonders for your feet especially if you have a foot fungus, dry and cracked heels, peeling skin, feet odor, or calluses

. DIY and home remedy enthusiasts have tried it and they swear by it. So, does it really work? If yes, how does a mouthwash give you softer feet? How do you prepare a Listerine foot soak? Get all the answers and a tutorial with pictures right here. Swipe up!

Trivia

The brand ‘Listerine’ is named after the pioneer of antiseptic surgery, Sir Joseph Lister.

Listerine Foot Soak How It Works

Listerine is a popular mouthwash that helps prevent gingivitis and cavities.

So, how does it work to remove dead skin, calluses, and foot fungus? Well, the answer lies in the ingredients of Listerine. It contains:

• Methyl salicylate is chemically similar to salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is used as an exfoliant in many face washes and acne products (1).
• Benzoic acid helps prevent the growth of microorganisms (2).
• Thymol, menthol, and eucalyptol have antifungal properties, which may be helpful for people with athletes foot (a fungal infection on the toes) (3).

Listerine mouthwash may work as a good foot soak as it helps cleanse the feet and prevent microbial growth.

Moreover, it can prevent foot odor, leaving your feet feeling clean and fresh. But, how can you prepare this foot soak? Emptying a whole bottle is definitely not the way to go about it. Care to check out a few Listerine foot soak recipes? Then, scroll down to the next section.

Listerine Foot Soak Recipes

Take a look at the following Listerine foot soaks.

Note: Blue Listerine can stain your feet blue. So, make sure you use the amber-colored Listerine.

1. Vinegar And Listerine Foot Soak

Recipe

• Take 1 cup Listerine and mix it with ½ cup of vinegar (you may use apple cider vinegar, as well).
• Add this solution to a tub with 1 liter of lukewarm water.
• Put your feet in this Listerine and vinegar foot soak for 20-30 minutes.
• Use a pumice stone or a brush to get rid of the dead skin. Be gentle.
• Wash your feet with cold water and pat them dry with a towel.
• Apply a moisturizer.

Dee Harker, a lifestyle YouTuber, tried this vinegar-Listerine foot soak recipe to get rid of her calluses. She soaked her feet in it for 10 minutes and was not happy with the results. She says, “I’ve done it twice and I just don’t see it. I still think that just plain vinegar probably worked the same (i).” She further adds that while the method seemed to work in the beginning, she still had to use a razor and get a regular pedicure to see noticeable results.

2. Baking Soda And Listerine Foot Soak

Recipe

• Mix 2 teaspoons of baking soda with 1 cup of Listerine.
• Add this mixture to 1 liter of lukewarm water.
• Soak your feet for 30 minutes.
• Use a pumice stone or a brush to gently get rid of the dead skin.
• Wash your feet with cold water.
• Dry your feet with a towel and apply a moisturizer.

3. Epsom Salt And Listerine Foot Soak

Recipe

• Add 1 cup of Listerine to 1 liter of lukewarm water.
• Add ¾ cup Epsom salt to this solution.
• You can add 2 drops of lemon or rose essential oil for a pleasant fragrance.
• Soak your feet for 30 minutes.
• Gently rub your feet with a damp cloth or pumice stone.
• Wash your feet with cold water and pat them dry with a towel.
• Apply a moisturizer.

These are the three recipes that you can try at home for foot hygiene and care. If you want some more inspiration, we have a tutorial for you. Check out this easy and effective Listerine foot soak tutorial below.

Listerine Foot Soak Tutorial (With Pictures)

What You Need

• Listerine
• White vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• Water
• Bath salt
• Pumice stone
• Coconut oil
• A pair of socks

Once you have the ingredients, you are ready to start with the foot soak. Here’s what you need to do:

Step 1: Add 1 liter of lukewarm water to a tub.

 Step 2: Add ½ cup of Listerine to the tub.

 Step 3: Pour ½ cup of white vinegar (or ACV) to the tub.

Step 4: Mix in ¾ cup of bath salt.

 Step 5: Stir the solution and soak your feet in it. Wait for 10-30 minutes.

Step 6: Use a soft towel to dry your feet after 30 minutes.

Step 7: You can already see loose skin on your heels and toes. Use a pumice stone to gently scrub away the dead skin and calluses.

 Step 8: Apply coconut oil to your feet.

Step 9: Wear a pair of soft socks overnight to keep your feet protected.

Clearly, soaking your feet in Listerine is an easy and cheap foot treatment. But is it effective? To find out, let us take a look at a couple of before and after pictures in the following section.

Listerine Foot Soak Before And After Pictures

These before and after pictures clearly show that dry, cracked, and peeling heels definitely look better after soaking in a Listerine solution.  With that in mind, lets take a look at the benefits of using Listerine foot soak.

Benefits Of Listerine Foot Soak

There are many benefits of using Listerine foot soak:

• Gets Rid Of Bacterial And Fungal Infections: A study found that Listerine mouthwash has antibacterial properties that help reduce the risk of bacterial infections (4). We also know that menthol is a potent antifungal agent, which may help prevent toenail fungus like athletes foot (5).
• Relieves Muscle Pain: People with sore muscles can also get relief by soaking their feet in a Listerine solution, partly because warm water helps expand the muscle fibers. Also, the menthol in Listerine has a muscle-relaxing effect (6). which makes it one of the top remedies for foot pain.
• Cleanses The Feet: Listerine foot soak helps exfoliate the dead skin layers, softens dry skin, and cleanses away the dirt.
• Removes Foot Odor: Sweating, wearing socks for too long, microbial infections, and not washing your feet regularly can cause smelly feet. A Listerine foot soak can help get rid of this embarrassing odor. (Note: If you add vinegar to your foot bath, your feet may smell like vinegar.)
• May Help Remove Plantar Warts: People use Listerine to get rid of plantar warts due to its antifungal properties. Soaking the affected area in undiluted Listerine for 15-20 minutes daily is claimed to completely clear the warts away within a few weeks’ time. Reportedly these effects are long-lasting even for the most stubborn cases of plantar warts. However, these claims are anecdotal and not backed by scientific evidence. If you have severe plantar warts, consider consulting a doctor for safe treatment methods before trying out home remedies.

So, these are the benefits of this unusual foot soak. But, are there any risks of using Listerine foot soak for a DIY pedicure? Who should avoid it? Scroll down to find out.

Who Should Avoid It?

Avoid Listerine foot soak if:

• You have an open wound on your feet.
• You are previously known to have an allergic reaction to Listerine.
• You are allergic to any of the ingredients found in Listerine.
• You have sensitive skin.
• You do not have cracked feet or athletes foot.

It’s absolutely crucial to conduct a patch test on a small area of skin before trying any new foot soak recipe, especially if you have sensitive skin or known allergies. This simple step is a proactive measure to ensure your safety and prevent any adverse reactions.

To be on the safe side, you can take the following precautions.

Precautions To Take

It is best to use diluted Listerine and vinegar if it is your first time using this foot soak. Instead of using half a cup of each ingredient, use a quarter or one-sixth of a cup. You can always increase the concentration of Listerine and vinegar. If your feet start burning, wash them immediately and apply aloe vera gel.

Did You Know?

Foot soaking is an ancient Chinese foot care technique. Chinese were known to soak their feet in hot water and herbs every night before bed.

Infographic: All You Need To Know About Listerine Foot Soak

Listerine is a popular mouthwash. However, many people do not know that its antimicrobial properties make it a popular foot soak ingredient. You can mix Listerine with natural ingredients to create a relaxing foot bath at home. We have rounded up the benefits of Listerine foot soak and some recipes you can try in the infographic below. Scroll down to know more!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use other mouthwash brands for a foot soak besides Listerine?

Yes, most mouthwash brands have similar composition and chemical properties to Listerine, thus offering similar benefits.

Are there any alternative foot soak solutions that work just as well as Listerine?

Yes, you can try Epsom salt foot soak or add a few drops of essential oils like peppermint, tea tree, or lavender oil to warm water.

Can a Listerine foot soak be reused?

Using a fresh Listerine foot soak every time is recommended, as germs can build up in the foot soak solution over time, leading to infections or other foot problems. Also, the effectiveness of the foot soak solution may diminish with each use, as the active ingredients in Listerine may become diluted or depleted.

How often should I use a Listerine foot soak for best results?

Listerine foot soaks can be used once or twice weekly for the best results. However, the frequency of use may vary depending on individual needs and foot concerns.

Does an amber Listerine foot soak really work? Find out in this video and see if it can help soothe tired feet and leave them feeling refreshed.

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Dr. Zeel GandhiBAMS

 

Dr. Zeel Gandhi is an Ayurvedic doctor with 7 years of experience and an expert at providing holistic solutions for health problems encompassing Internal medicine, Panchakarma, Yoga, Ayurvedic Nutrition, and formulations.

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