BEAUTY & FASHION DIY

DIY Foot Bath Your Summer Feet Deserve

foot bath

Because of our hectic lifestyle, we often forget to take care of our feet. However, our feet carry us everywhere every day and, therefore, suffer a lot—especially during hot summer days. So, you need to nurture them and keep them healthy, just as you would your face and body. Therefore, treat your weary summer feet with a relaxing DIY foot bath now and again—it’s all they really need!

In this article, we’ll share an easy DIY foot soak recipe and some tips on giving your feet a proper spa-worthy bath experience.

How to Prepare a Foot Bath

In addition to softening dry skin on your feet, a foot bath will also soothe any soreness you might feel. Of course, you can always buy a ready-made foot bath, but we suggest making it yourself at home. This is because you can use all-natural ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen—so why buy it if you already (kind of) have it!

Plus, if you decide to make your own foot bath, you can regulate its composition and concentration of ingredients to ensure as many benefits as possible while, at the same time, reducing the likelihood of skin irritation.

Homemade Foot Bath for Dry and Achy Feet: The Recipe

Foot irritation and pain are common problems due to the daily wear and tear while we work, move, or exercise. A soothing foot bath at the end of the day is a perfect way to pamper your hard working feet, giving them some well-deserved pain relief and treating cracked and dry skin.

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup baking soda (sea salt or Epsom salt)
  • 6 tablespoons jojoba oil (or coconut oil)
  • 10 – 15 drops essential oil (you can use lavender, chamomile or rosemary oil)
  • ½ cup colloidal oatmeal
  • ½ cup fresh, finely cut sage leaves (you can also use fresh peppermint leaves)

Tools and equipment:

  • foot spa tub (or any other smaller plastic bowl will do)
  • dry towel (or a cloth to have nearby)
  • warm water (always have additional warm water prepared next to you to add if your foot bath gets cold)

Preparation:

1. Pour hot water (not scorching-hot, but pleasantly warm) into the foot tub (or any other bowl you’re using).

2. Dissolve the baking soda (or the salt) in the water.

3. Then add the colloidal oatmeal (finely ground oats) into the water as well and stir until it’s evenly distributed. The water should be milky white.

4. Next, add the oils blend—the mix of the carrier oil of your choice (jojoba or coconut oil) and the essential oil of your choice. **Note** that if you have sensitive skin or open wounds on your feet, you shouldn’t use essential oil as it can potentially be irritating.

5. Then, sprinkle the foot soak with the finely chopped sage leaves.

6. And finally, your bath and your feet are ready for soaking!

How to Do a Proper, Spa-Worthy Foot Bath

After selecting the right ingredients for your foot bath and preparing it, follow these steps to give your feet the much-needed treatment and nourishment:

1: Soak 

You can let your feet soak for as long as you can handle (or until you run out of warm water to add). For maximum effect, it would be best to soak them for at least 20 minutes, up to one hour. Keep the water temperature of your foot bath always warm, by adding a little bit of hot water into the foot tub at a time.

2: Exfoliate

After the foot bath, use a dry towel or a bath mat to pat dry your feet gently. Try not to rub too harshly, as the feet should stay slightly wet for exfoliation. Exfoliating your feet will remove accumulated dead skin cells, especially on the heels, and leave the feet smooth and refreshed. You can use a homemade body scrub, combining some of the following natural ingredients:

  • granulated sugar and coconut oil;
  • sea salt and olive oil;
  • Epsom salt and almond oil.

3: Moisturize

After the peeling, rinse your feet thoroughly using lukewarm water. Again, gently pat them dry with a soft towel. Then apply a rich, moisturizing lotion or foot cream. Or, instead of a cream, you can use the oil you used for your foot bath or peel, such as jojoba oil, coconut oil, or almond oil. If you opt for the latter, wear a pair of soft cotton socks for the ultimate effect of comfort and to protect your floors from greasy footprints.

4: Massage

If your feet tend to ache and swell after a long day at work, they will significantly benefit from a light foot massage and improved circulation. After you’ve applied a nice thick layer of foot cream or oil, put one foot at a time in your lap and give them a nice massage. Do it by holding your foot firmly with your hands and moving your thumbs across the bottom of your foot. And finally, give your toes a gentle tug.

5: Pedicure

The best time for a bit of nail cleaning and home pedicure is right after a foot bath, as this is when your nails are the softest. Make sure to cut your nails straight; otherwise, you risk getting ingrown nails. These can get quite inflamed,  swollen, and painful—and you don’t need additional problems atop your already achy feet.

Other After-Soaking Tips

To make sure you reap all the benefits of your DIY foot bath, try out these tips for after-soaking:

  • Lay and relax for a while, at least for half an hour, while keeping your feet elevated. This is particularly useful if you often have swollen feet, as keeping them elevated above your heart will move the fluid from your feet and legs towards your heart;
  • Sleep with socks on to prevent transepidermal water loss and keep your feet well-hydrated throughout the night. This might be tricky during hot summers; but if the weather allows, wear thin and soft cotton socks while sleeping;
  • Another trick to keep your feet soft and hydrated is to apply a thick layer of Vaseline before bed. Vaseline will soften even the driest parts of your feet, such as your heels.

Takeaway

What better way to repay your feet for their hard work than giving them a warm, relaxing bath after the end of a long and hot summer day? Besides relaxing both your feet and yourself, a nice and warm DIY foot bath will detox your feet, make them soft, and remove any unpleasant odor. So, treat yourself to this true hedonistic pleasure whenever you can! For more do follow our blog.

About Author

Hi Everyone !!! Welcome to my blog ! I truly enjoy sharing the ideas with everyone. I am an aspiring blogger with an obsession for Beauty , Fashion , latest happenings in fashion world ,Lifestyle & Home Decor latest trends, how to look good , beauty tips , makeup advice, and along with home decor ideas & much more.