The bottom of your feet may look dirty due to very many reasons and factors. Depending on your work environment, daily walking routine, type of shoes, or health reasons your feet bottom tends to look dirty.
If you work in an environment where your shoes are exposed to dirt and dust, it’s most likely that your shoes are going to stain your feet, and some shoes that have leather covering get moisture and can leave subtle stains all over the bottom of your feet.
Also, there is a possibility of dirt and grime sticking to the insole of your shoes, sandals, or flip-flops, so, this could get the bottom of your feet dirty.
Other times this may be as a result of underlying health issues; this is usually the most common issue of dirty feet.
What happens when the bottom of your feet is dirty?
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Dirty shoes and feet can cause your feet to be dirty. If you have poor hygiene and don’t clean your shoes regularly, dirt and dust accumulate over time and continuously staining your feet.
Mold and dampness can stay inside your shoes, trapping more dirt and dust as you walk around performing your tasks. Continuous moisture keeps dirt locked and loose enough to constantly stain your feet after every wear.
If you experience dirty feet bottoms you can do well to find time and properly clean them, removing the footbeds and insole to have access to deeper parts that can store dirt.
After cleaning makes sure it is cleaned and dried properly before wearing them. Socks too are added advantages for keeping them neat.
Most people aren’t aware that a decline in health can show signs on our feet. This may sound strange but dirty feet can be caused by a serious unknown health problem.
If you notice discoloration under your feet, take a closer inspection and see if it’s naturally forming or not. If you observe dryness, spots, and discoloration you must endeavor to seek medical attention immediately.
Early detection is vital as dirty feet are signs that you may be sick and you should make effort to prevent it. some discoloration may be because of fungal infection and hidden melanoma, other diseases like diabetes and Raynaud disease can also lead the bottom of feet’s looking dirty or darker.
You can keep your feet healthy by doing some tips and regular care this includes;
- By wearing socks and good shoes, you can trap humidity in it which leads to fungal infection.
- Use clippers to carefully cut your toenails to a medium length and not too short.
How to remove dirt stains from the bottom of your feet
You can easily remove stains from the bottom of your feet using simple household equipment and items such as alcohol, water, soap, vinegar, soda, etc.
These materials ensure that dead skin cells that form layers are removed and new skin to be produced. You can easily use cotton wool and rub in a circular motion around the stained area.
You can proceed to apply baby oil over them to keep them moisturized and soft. You can prevent your feet from getting dirty by wearing socks always and always protecting them from the sun.
Below are some ways you can use to remove stains from your feet’ bottom by using simple home remedies.
Use Sugar and lemon remedies
One popular way to remove stains from the foot’s bottom is by using a combination of sugar and lemon. Sugar performs as a scrub and lemon juice acts as the acid that removes dead skin cells.
The combined effort of the two ingredients works very efficiently to remove stains and have your appearance white and shiny.
- Put the lemon juice into a bowl and add a teaspoon of sugar to it.
- The mixture should be well stirred and applied as a scrub for ten minutes on your feet.
- Once done, warm water should be used you wash your feet.
Raw Milk remedy
Milk, you may ask? Yes, milk. Milk is among the best option for clearing dirt from feet. Raw milk assists in the reduction of melanin in your skin cells.
You add the raw milk into a bowl and use a cotton ball to gently touch the milk and scrub areas of your feet that is stained, wash with warm water and this will brighten your feet.
Vinegar remedies
In a warm water tub and add apple cider vinegar, rose petals, rose water, and lemon juice. Place your feet deep into the tub and massage for 15-20 minutes.
Use lukewarm water to rinse out your feet, this handles cracks and rashes and also brightens dark feet while relaxing you.
Baking soda and Milk remedies
Baking soda and milk work brilliantly when it comes to removing stains from your feet’ bottom. The calcium reacts with your skin to remove all impurities from your feet.
Take raw milk into a bowl then add 2 teaspoons of soda and mix them properly. dip a cotton ball in the solution and apply it to your feet, leave for 8 -10 minutes then wash off with warm water.
This nourishes your feet and makes them glow brightly.
How to whiten your feet naturally?
You can use a lot of natural substances to whiten and clean your feet naturally without issues and damages. Some of the natural substances you can use are listed below and methods.
Baking soda
Baking soda works excellently for removing fungus from the feet, it is highly effective in removing or scrubbing off dead skin from your feet.
Items needed
- Baking soda
- Water
How to make
- Mix three spoons of baking soda into warm water
- Dip both feet into the solution and wait for 15 minutes
- With a soft brush or food scrubber, brush the toe area, heels, and mid-foot gently.
Orange peel
Orange peel makes your feet soft and removes Tan from your foot.
Tools Needed
- Orange peel powder
- Cup of milk
How to make
- Mix orange peel powder with milk.
- Apply the mixture to your feet and let it dry on its own.
- Once it has dried gently peel the dried powder.
- Use a lemon slice to scrub off everything off.
Honey
Honey helps skin combat dry skin and keep your feet moisturized. Over time it whitens up your feet making them appear shiny and bright.
Tools
5-6 drops of honey
How to make
- Apply the honey all over your feet, massaging deep into your feet.
- Leave it for half an hour.
- Then proceed to wash with warm water.
Potato
Potatoes works as natural whitening agents which can convert dark skin into a lighter shade by reducing pigmentation from sun exposure and dirt.
Items
- Slices of potatoes
How to make
- Apply the fresh potatoes slices still having their peels along your foot and all over
- Wash after 10 minutes
Lemon
Lemon naturally whitens your skin and removes dead cells, making sure fresh cells are regenerated.
Items
- Lemon
- Salt
How to make
- Slice the lemon into two and sprinkle a pinch of salt onto the exposed lemon face and softly apply to your feet. The salt helps to remove dead cells while the lemon acts as a whitening agent to brighten your skin.
- Wash off after the process is done.
How to prevent your feet from getting dirty?
Preventing your feet from becoming dirty involves adopting more clean habits and learning some new lifestyle tips for healthy feet.
You should make sure you wash them always and scrub off dead cells from time to time. It’s essential to keep your feet healthy and we are going to list some ways you can do that.
- Wear socks: if you can always wear socks you avoid them. socks trap moisture that encourages full growth and leads to infection. Keep your feet happy by letting them breathe.
- Clip nails: keep your nails clean and trimmed using the correct clippers. Avoid cutting your nails too close to your skin or cut them with rounded corners
- Good shoes: wear comfortable shoes that have space for your toes.
- Pedicures: find a good salon that uses sterilized equipment and get regular pedicure service
- Wash always: while taking your bath ensure to always wash your toes and scrub all areas of your feet.
Dirty feet can be easily avoided by taking simple steps and guidelines into account. You should treat them nicely and seek the advice of a medical doctor in the event of any symptoms of infection.
Dirty feet are usually a sign of an underlying health issue.
When should you wash your feet?
Washing of feet should and can be done anytime you deem it fit to be washed. There is no rigid rule of when and how often feet are to be washed, it’s a factor that’s dependent on your lifestyle, and daily activities.
It’s advised that during your daily shower routine you should add scrubbing and washing of your feet as a daily practice.
If you are involved in sweaty workouts sessions make sure you involve scrubbing your feet as part of your cleaning process. Wear shoes that are dry and airy this prevents the transfer of bacteria from the shoes to your feet.
By ensuring you wash and scrub your feet on a regular basis you save yourself from having smelly feet and other diseases from infecting them.
Our feet are covered with scores of bacteria like our skins and these bacteria are responsible for odor emanating from our feet.
Also by scrubbing your feet hard you are washing off dead cells and exfoliating the skin preventing calluses and hardened dry skin from building up.
Washing regularly prevents infection. Avoid walking bare feet in an unclean environment as unwanted pathogens can fester and build upon your skin, resulting in infections.
What is the mystery of feet washing?
For many years and for a long time there has been a mystery surrounding the act of feet washing, with most people associating the act with divine directions and purpose.
It is widely accepted as a religious rite and is performed by a wide variety of religions in the world today.
The feet-washing practice is accepted and performed popularly by the roman catholic church hierarchy in the Christian religion.
The practice comes from the Bible in a bid to imitate the ways of Jesus when he washed the feet of his twelve disciples at the last supper before his crucifixion, it signifies humility and selflessness.
This foot washing practice was initially performed as a way to show hospitality to your guest in Palestinian homes.
It progressed throughout history and began practices in Rome by the church around the 7th century. The Maundy Thursday is set aside for this purpose and monarch and members of the royal family across Europe engage in feet washing for the less privileged and share gifts with good tidings.
Though the royal practices have been canceled in 1754, foot washing still sees application and practice among some other Christian denominations.
It’s a symbolic act that promotes humility and goodwill within a community.
Conclusion
Dirty feet are and dark coloration on the feet is a problem. We all can admit the importance of our feet to us in our everyday activities and movement.
Dirty feet can be caused by improper feet hygiene, dirty shoes, and working in an environment that is usually filled with dirt.
Sometimes dirty feet bottoms occur as a result of some unknown illness. The discoloration appears as a symptom or sign of the disease and this should be taken seriously.
Fungal infections can easily affect our feet if we allow them to fester and this encourages bacteria to build up causing bad odor and smelly feet. Simple home items like soda, milk, and other substances can be used to scrub and remove dead cells from your feet’ bottom.
This improves the healthiness and nourishes your feet. If you want to improve the appearance of your colored feet and whiten them they are various natural remedies, you can use to get the best results.