DIY Foot Soak for Aching and Swollen Feet: Full Guide

Our feet usually don't get as much love as they deserve. When you think about it, they carry us wherever we want, in all types of weather, sometimes even while strapped in uncomfortable shoes. So, after all that hard work, the least we can do is take good care of them with a soothing and softening DIY foot soak.

It takes little effort and only a few ingredients to prepare a soak that will benefit your feet tremendously. In today's guide, we will share the perfect foot soak recipe you should try whenever you have the opportunity.

How to Make a Foot Soak: Step-by-Step Guide

Do your feet feel sore when you lie down at night? Do they swell if you walk or stand for a few hours?

These are only some of the problems that may arise if you don't treat your feet well. Feet are very sensitive as it is. They suffer if we put too much weight on them, don't wear comfortable shoes, keep them in uncomfortable positions, or don't moisturize them.

This is why it's essential that we give our feet a nice scrub or soak at least once per week. The foot bath alone can soothe the muscles and help relieve pain and soreness. In addition, removing dead skin cells during the bath can make our feet look better and feel smooth to the touch. If not for any of these reasons, you should try a foot bath because it'll give you time to have a breather and relax!

There's no need to worry if you don't know how to make a foot soak and what to use. We're here to help. The simple, quickest, most effective (and might we add – our favorite!) is the peppermint tea foot soak with Epsom salt, and here's the recipe for it:

How to Soak Your Feet for an Ultimate Spa Experience

Armed with the soothing DIY foot soak recipe, you can give yourself the most incredible at-home spa experience. This will include not only the soak but also a scrub, massage, and moisturizing. If you want your feet to feel fresh and relaxed, here's what you can do:

Step 1: Foot Soak

First, you need to prepare your soak using the recipe listed above. The basin should have enough water to cover your feet up to your ankles. The water should be warm enough – if it's not at the right temperature, you won't get all the benefits from the soak.

You can keep your feet in the soak for about 20 minutes. This should be enough time for the ingredients to work their magic, but if you want to, you can extend the soak up to 30 minutes. Your skin will be soft and ready for a scrub at that time.

Step 2: Foot Scrub

Scrubs are almost as crucial as soaks because they help eliminate dead skin from your feet. Dead skin can cause discomfort, skin cracking, and infections, so try to exfoliate your feet with a scrub at least once every two weeks.

You can buy a ready-made foot scrub or make your own using nothing but baking soda and a few drops of water. Apply the scrub to your feet and gently rub it into the skin for about 5 minutes. Alternatively, you could use a scrub brush, a pumice stone, or a sponge.

After you are done with the scrubbing, rinse your feet with warm water to remove any remaining scrub or dead skin cells.

Step 3: Massage

Massages are a great way to eliminate any pain or soreness in your feet. You can cross one leg over the other, bring one foot as close as possible, and start massaging it. We recommend using some massage oil, but if you don't have any, you can also use some regular foot cream.

You should massage the entire foot, starting from the heel and moving up to the toes. It would be best to move your fingers from the inside of the foot towards the outside as you are massaging. If you feel soreness in a specific area, you can focus on that specific area for a few minutes.

The last part of your massage is the toes. Make sure you move them back and forward, massage them, and then wiggle each toe separately. Again, massage as long as you have oil or cream on that foot. Then, move on to the other foot and repeat the entire process.

Step 4: Moisturizing

After doing the soak, scrub, and massage, you will find that your feet will already feel much softer than before. But we recommend that you don't stop here – go the extra mile and apply some rich foot cream. This will keep the feet soft for longer while preventing dryness and heel cracks.

Finally, try to keep your feet elevated after your spa experience. You can also do this whenever they feel sore and swell up. This will immediately decrease the swelling while allowing you to sit down and relax for at least a brief while.

Takeaway...

The time spent on self-care is always time well spent. So, don't ever put off foot soaks thinking they aren't that important. All you need is an hour, a few ingredients, and a bit of effort to eliminate pain and swelling. So, take the time and do something nice for your feet. Trust us; they might just be one soak away from feeling pain-free and light as a feather.

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