Sweaty, Stinky Feet: 7 Ways How to Stop Your Feet from Sweating

April 28, 2025 5 min read

how to get rid of stinky feet

An intense foot odor can be like an unwanted guest that enters your shoes and socks, and then refuses to leave. It never gives notice before making an appearance and embarrasses you when actual visitors come to your home. Unfortunately, going out when you have stinky feet is not any better.

Wouldn’t it be great to know how to get rid of stinky feet before the problem arises? Luckily, this article will outline several ways to prevent foot odor and sweaty feet. Keep reading for tips and instructions on how to deal with stinky feet.

This article was originally published in June 2019, and updated in 2020 and 2025.

Why Do Feet Sweat and Stink?

If you want to learn how to fix smelly feet, you first need to know how to stop sweaty feet. Sweaty feet can have multiple causes including but not limited to: continuous intense movement; a change in temperature; wearing shoes that are too tight or wearing shoes that made from materials that don’t breathe.

Sweaty feet can also be caused by something entirely different. Excessive perspiration may be caused by a medical condition known as plantar hyperhidrosis. This condition causes the sweat glands in your feet to overstimulate, leading to excessively sweaty feet.

Living with hyperhidrosis is embarrassing, but it can be controlled. You’ve got plenty of options to help manage the excessive foot sweat (and odor) that is making your life miserable.

Sweaty feet are uncomfortable and can be embarrassing, but smelly feet are even worse. The most common cause of stinky feet is when the sweat on your feet interacts with the bacteria on your skin. Over time, the interaction produces a powerful odor, especially when your feet don’t have a chance to air out or breathe. 

Infections like Athlete’s Foot, as well as health and medical issues, can also cause foot odor.

Stop Feet from Sweating - Shoes

How to Stop Smelly, Sweaty Feet in 7 Ways

Okay, now that we’ve established what causes sweaty feet and smelly feet, let’s talk about how to stop your feet from sweating and how to get rid of stinky feet. Here are seven ways to do it.

1. Establish a Foot Hygiene Routine

One of the best ways to get rid of smelly feet is by having a good routine for your foot hygiene. For the best results, follow these steps:

  • Thoroughly wash your feet using antibacterial soap, making sure to get between your toes.
  • Dry your feet thoroughly and remove all moisture, especially between your toes.
  • Wipe your feet and toes all over with an alcohol wipe.
  • Exfoliate your feet at least once per week to remove the dead skin that odor-causing bacteria love to feed on. You can remove the dead cells using an exfoliating brush or glove.

2. Apply Antiperspirant to Your Feet

Using a strong antiperspirant for your feet is a solid tactic when forming a plan on how to stop feet from sweating.

Choose an antiperspirant specifically for feet or one that contains a high concentration of aluminum chloride to help reduce sweating. It is recommended that you apply deodorant to clean and dry feet at night. (You can always reapply in the morning.) Be sure to apply it between your toes!

Stop Feet from Sweating - Socks

3. Wear the Right Sock

Socks are another tool in your arsenal for how to stop smelly feet. Make sure you wear the right socks to help reduce moisture and fight odor. Look for breathable socks, wick moisture, and provide odor control.

If you’re seeking high-quality dress socks with all these qualities, look no further. Ejis has discovered the secret to odor-fighting socks, using silver anti-odor technology in conjunction with moisture-wicking materials. Our comfortable, fashionable socks stop odor-causing bacteria in their tracks, all the while keeping feet dry and cool.

4. Use Antifungal Foot Powder

If you are trying to figure out how to stop sweaty feet, one of the best products you can use is antifungal powder. It helps keep sweaty feet dry and fights any fungal activity.

After washing and thoroughly drying your feet, apply the antifungal powder before putting on socks. There are powders and spray powders available.

Stop Feet from Sweating - Shoes

5. Practice Good Shoe Maintenance

Wearing the same pair of shoes every day is not only a fashion faux pas, but it is also the fastest ticket to foot odor. If your feet sweat excessively, your shoes may not have enough time to dry out before you wear them again, which creates odor.

To ensure your shoes have time to dry out, alternate between two pairs of shoes from day-to-day. Once you remove your shoes at the end of the day, allow them to dry completely – or stuff them with newspaper, which absorbs the excess moisture.

Another way to avoid sweaty shoes is to wear the right shoes to start. Make sure you buy shoes that fit properly and are made with breathable material with proper ventilation. (Leather and canvas can help keep feet dry.) If you have been trying to figure out how to avoid smelly feet, the last thing you want to do is wear shoes that encourage your feet to sweat.

6. Do a Foot Soak

Irritated, sweaty feet are not happy feet. Help them to relax (and detoxify) with a nice soak. Just make sure to dry your feet thoroughly afterward. There are several all-natural products that are highly effective and soothing.

  • Apple cider vinegar: Reduce odor-causing bacteria with a daily foot soak in 1-part vinegar and 2-parts water. Vinegar is a natural astringent that will tighten pores to help reduce sweat.
  • Black or sage tea: Tea has the same effect as vinegar. Steep four or five black or sage tea bags in a quart of boiling water. Cool the tea and then soak your feet for 20 minutes.
  • Epsom salt or sea salt: Pour 1/2 cup salt into a basin of warm water. (If you want, add several drops of tea tree essential oil, which kills bacteria and fungus.) Soak your feet for 15-30 minutes.

7. Seek Medical Advice

If you try all these tips and you’re still unable to figure out how to get rid of smelly feet, then it might be time to call in the professionals. Your doctor can assess your situation and determine if medical treatments might be effective. Some of the treatments available include prescription-strength antiperspirant, Iontophoresis treatment, and Botox injections.

Now that you’ve learned how to keep your feet from smelling, you can finally feel free to take off your shoes and put your feet up! And with a pair of Ejis dress socks (buy inour shop), you can do it with confidence.

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