We all need a foot scrub from time to time. A common misconception is that only women need pedicures. In fact, both men and women need to take care of their feet. Foot scrubs and pedicures remove the dead skin cells on your feet. And lately, Listerine has gained popularity as a great foot soak product.
I’ve tried it and the results are great, so I’m going to share a few recipes with you. If they sound and look good to you, go for it!
Why do we need a foot soak?
But why is it that we need a foot soak? For starters, your feet are prone to warts, dry skin, dead skin, fungus, and callouses. We spend hours on our feet each and every day, and the more pressure we put on them, the worse they look.
A foot soak will make our feet look great, so when the summer comes and we put on sandals, we won’t be embarrassed. But a Listerine foot soak does so much more. The treatment will make you feel relaxed, soothe your muscles, hydrate your skin, and most importantly, relieve pain caused by standing for hours.
Why Listerine?
There are many different foot scrubs and foot soaks you can use. But since we are talking about Listerine here, let’s list some of the reasons why this mouthwash might be the best option.
The first reason is that Listerine is inexpensive and simple to use. And the mouthwash known for freshening our breath carries a number of other benefits and beneficial ingredients. The same way that Listerine freshens our breath fresh, it can freshen our feet and provide that soothing feeling.
Some of the active ingredients in Listerine are menthol, methyl salicylate, essential oils, eucalyptol, ethanol, and thymol. Essential oils provide a soothing effect, while alcohol (ethanol) makes sure there are no bacteria remaining. Alcohol is a known disinfectant, and Listerine contains just the right amount of it.
The active ingredients of the mouthwash penetrate deep into the skin, taking care of all the dead tissue. For maximum results, use a loofa or a cloth to rub the feet clean after the foot soak. Focus on hardened heels and callouses.
That being said, let’s take a look at some of the popular Listerine foot soak recipes.
Listerine and vinegar
The classic and traditional foot soak recipe is with Listerine and vinegar. The ingredients are:
- 3 tablespoons of honey
- 1½ cups of Listerine
- ½ cup of vinegar
- Container for your feet
- Warm water
Add the honey and water to the container and stir for a few minutes. After the honey has dissolved, add the vinegar and Listerine. Mix for few more minutes, and then soak your feet for 10 minutes. Thanks to the warm water, your blood vessels will relax. The Listerine and vinegar, in the meantime, will make sure that your dead skin cells are history. And honey makes your feet smooth as a feather.
After 10 or 15 minutes, remove your feet from the container and scrub them gently for maximum benefits.
Listerine and Epsom salt
Epsom salt on its own is a very beneficial ingredient for a foot soak. But when combined with Listerine, you get even better results. For this recipe, you’ll need:
- ½ cup of Epsom salt
- Few drops of lemon juice
- 1½ cup of Listerine
- Container
- Warm water
Epson salt helps with the stress in our feet, improves blood flow and moisturizes our feet. To prepare the solution, add the lemon juice and Epson salt to the water. Stir slowly, and then add Listerine. Put your feet in the container and let the water soak off all the dead skin cells for 15 minutes. If you want to soak your feet longer, add a cup of warm water. This recipe will help with inflammation and tension in your feet, all while enhancing blood flow. You can also use this treatment for toenail fungus.
Listerine and shaving cream
The reason we include shaving cream here is to reduce stiffness from the skin. In the same way we use shaving cream for our face, we can get the same benefits for our feet. And we don’t need to shave them afterwards. This recipe promotes the production of keratin, an essential protein on the outer layer of our skin. The ingredients are the following:
- 1 cup of Listerine
- Shaving foam or cream
- Container
- Warm water
- Foot scrubber
Wash your feet with soap and then apply shaving cream on them. Gently massage your feet for five minutes. After that, fill the container with water and add Listerine. Put your feet in and soak for 20 minutes. Use a scrubber to remove the shaving cream from your feet.
Listerine foot soak for athlete’s foot
Apart from relaxing your feet and providing a soothing effect, Listerine can also treat some common medical conditions, such as athlete’s foot. This condition makes your feet itchy, swollen, and, in the end, sore. If not treated, your skin will start peeling. For the recipe, you need:
- 1 cup of Listerine
- 1 cup of white vinegar
- 20 drops of tea tree oil
- Container
- Warm water
Place all ingredients in the container and mix. Place your feet in the container and let them soak for 30 to 45 minutes. Repeat the treatment two times per day. As the water is cooling down, add more warm water.
Listerine and chamomile tea
Chamomile tea on its own is one of the best known relaxing and soothing ingredients. Many of us drink tea to calm our nerves. But chamomile can also calm and relax our skin. This recipe also helps if you have sweaty feet. The ingredients are:
- 1 cup of Listerine
- 1 cup of chamomile tea
- Vaseline
- Container
- Warm water
- Foot scrubber
For starters, brew one cup of chamomile tea and pour it in the container. Add warm water and Listerine, stirring for one minute. Soak your feet in it for one hour. Pat your feet dry, and then massage them gently with some Vaseline. One thing to note: this recipe can increase the dryness of your feet. Therefore, if you’re battling cracked heels, don’t use this Listerine foot soak more than twice a month. However, if your feet are constantly sweating, this recipe will help.
Listerine and beetroot juice
Beetroot is widely known for its anti-ageing properties. In addition, beetroot decreases the dryness of your skin and removes wrinkles. Any way you put it, beetroot is a powerful antioxidant that you absolutely need in your life. For this particular recipe, you’ll need:
- 1 cup of Listerine
- ½ cup of beetroot juice
- Few drops of lemon juice
- Container
- Warm water
Start by mixing water and one cup of Listerine in the container. Stir for few minutes. Add the beetroot juice and stir for a few more minutes. You’ll know the solution is ready when it turns an indigo colour. Once you’ve hit the colour, add a few drops of lemon juice. Place your feet in it and enjoy the treatment. You’ll notice a tingling sensation due to the beetroot juice, but don’t worry, it will disappear. Soak your feet for 30 minutes, then scrub them and wash them with clear water. After drying your feet, you can apply some Vaseline for silkier, softer skin. Repeat the treatment two times per week.
Listerine for toenail fungus
Toenail fungus can be embarrassing. It can be especially challenging for men, who, unlike women, can’t hide toenail fungus with dark nail polish. You can get rid of toenail fungus with some prescription medications, but they are quite expensive. Which brings us to the Listerine solution: it’s affordable, easy, and simple. The ingredients are:
- ½ cup of white vinegar
- ½ cup of Listerine
- 10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
- Container
- Warm water
Pour the water into the container and mix with the Listerine and vinegar. After a few minutes of stirring, add 10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil and stir for a few more minutes. Soak your feet in it for 30 to 45 minutes. After that, pat them dry.
Listerine and mint
The last recipe on our list combines lemon and mint. Thanks to the mint, this recipe provides the best soothing effect, and you can use this soak every evening. You’ll love the treatment, especially after a full day of walking or standing when your feet and muscles are sore and stressed out. Here is what you need:
- One lemon
- ½ cup of mint leaves
- 1 cup of Listerine
- Container
- Warm water
Start by cutting the lemon in slices. Boil the lemon in 1 liter (quart) of water and add the mint leaves. Boil for just five minutes, and then add a few more drops of lemon juice. Wait for the water to cool down to a lukewarm temperature. Add Listerine, stir, and then pour into a container. Soak your feet in it for 30 minutes. If the water cools down, add a cup of warm water. Repeat this treatment two times per week for maximum benefits.
Bonus tips
As always, I love to include a few bonus tips. Listerine can be used for so many other beauty and health tricks, for example:
- Dab Listerine on a cotton ball and then apply on your underarms. This way, Listerine acts as a deodorant.
- If you have dandruff, massage some Listerine on your scalp.
- After shaving, apply Listerine to help prevent infection and bumps.
- Sterilize your toothbrush by soaking it in Listerine once every month.
- Soothe itching skin caused by hives and other allergies.
- Heal blisters and prevent infection by applying a small dose of Listerine.
- Wasp stings, insect stings, and bee stings can be painful. You can reduce the pain with some Listerine.
- To prevent the growth of bacteria in your home, pour Listerine into the humidifier.
What do you think ?