This detoxifying foot bath recipe is the ultimate way to end a long day. It is a perfect natural foot soak for a gentle detox of the body and stress relief. Easy DIY essential oil foot soak for all ages.
A foot bath or soak can be just the thing your feet need after a long day. I spend most of the day on my feet, as I’m sure many of you do too. At the end of the day, when I sit down (or better yet, lay down), I will notice just how much I am on my feet.
A good ol’ fashion foot soak can do the body some good. Even with just a little Epsom Salt, you may notice some benefits. With a few extra ingredients, you can take a foot soak to the next level and really experience the best foot bath at home.
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DETOXIFYING FOOT BATH
Our bodies are exposed to so many chemicals daily, and there is only so much we can do about it. Making your own laundry soap, shampoo, conditioner, and skincare products is a great way to start. But some things, like the pollution in the air or the paint on the walls, may be out of your control.
Worrying about such things can be more harmful than the toxins in the first place. Since I don’t live in a perfect natural bubble, body detox is a must. There are so many ways you can detox your body through scrubs, washes, masks, diet, and soaks. These are all things I strive to do regularly!
But did you know that you can detox through a foot bath? Your feet are made up of large pores that can absorb and release toxins. Placing them in a warm detoxifying bath of salts and essential oils can do wonders for your body. I also love to make a peppermint foot scrub to help remove dead skin before doing a foot bath.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF FOOT BATHS?
Almost anyone can benefit from a foot bath soak. Whether you are a mom, student, working full time, or a pro athlete, I bet you spend the majority of your day on your feet.
Soaking your feet in a homemade foot bath can have several benefits for you, even if you don’t think your feet hurt.
- Relieve muscle tension
- Reduce stress and brain fog
- Boost the immune system
- Hydrates skin
- Reduce swelling
- Improve mood and energy levels
- Draw out impurities
- Boost magnesium levels (If using salt.)
ESSENTIAL OIL FOOT SOAK
Several essential oils can be used in a foot soak. It is best to stay away from hot oils like oregano and clove when putting them in water.
PEPPERMINT
Peppermint and other mint oils are great to add to a foot soak. The minty oils have a nice cooling effect on the skin and can soothe sore muscles and bones.
Adding peppermint to the foot soak can help relieve tension, stiffness and reduce feelings of stress.
TEA TREE
Tea tree essential oil is a known anti-fungal and can be found in toe fungal medications. This essential oil is a must-add if you deal with discolored toenails, feet fungus, or athlete’s foot.
LAVENDER
Lavender is a very gentle essential oil that has excellent benefits for the skin and the mood. It is one of the most commonly used oils for calming and relaxing. Use lavender essential oil to promote a better night’s sleep.
Lavender can also reduce skin irritations, help relax muscles, and moisturize the skin, such as in this glowing skin body butter
BEST DETOXING ESSENTIAL OILS
- Rosemary
- Tangerine
- Cilantro
- Geranium
- Lavender
- Tea Tree
- Lemongrass
- Clove
- Frankincense
- Myrrh
DETOXIFYING FOOT BATH RECIPE
INGREDIENTS
- Baking Soda
- Sea Salt
- Epsom Salt
- Carrier Oil
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Essential Oils
INSTRUCTIONS
- Mix all the dry ingredients in a medium-size mixing bowl.
- Add in the wet ingredients and stir until well combined.
- Pour into 2 gallons of warm water.
HOW TO MAKE A FOOT BATH?
You can do this in the bathtub or by using a small tub or container just large enough for your feet. I prefer to use a small container so I can do this while sitting on the couch or at my computer desk.
Fill the tub with very warm water and add 1/2 cup of detoxifying foot bath recipe to the water. Stir to mix.
Place your feet in the warm water and allow them to soak for 20-30 minutes. Remove them from the water, pat dry, and apply homemade whipped body butter or foot mask to hydrate the feet.
DIY BATH SOAK INGREDIENTS
BAKING SODA
Baking soda can help relieve itchy, dry skin, and it can be very effective at pulling toxins out of the body. It can also help with sun-damaged skin.
You can check out my newest foot soak recipe here using baking soda and vinegar.
SEA SALT AND EPSOM SALT
Salts can be added to a warm bath to help with skin irritations, muscle aches and to detox the body. The minerals found in salts will absorb through the skin and get into your body to help with these things. Soaking in warm water alone can help to relax muscles and loosen joints.
CARRIER OIL
Adding in a small amount of carrier oil will add moisturizing properties for the feet and heels.
Here is a list of common carrier oils to choose from:
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
Apple cider vinegar can help regulate the skin’s pH levels as well as improve skin texture and appearance. ACV has anti-fungal properties and can help with toe fungus and discolored toenails.
ESSENTIAL OILS
Essential oils can be used to help skin irritations, cleanse, purify, and even gently detox the body. You can add a single oil or a blend of essential oils to the bath soak.
Choose any from my list above to see what works best for you. I personally love lavender, tea tree, and rosemary. Peppermint is another favorite, especially if my feet are sore.
Detoxifying Foot Bath Recipe
This detoxifying foot bath recipe is the ultimate way to end a long day. It is a perfect natural foot soak for a gentle detox of the body and stress relief. Easy DIY essential oil foot soak for all ages.
Materials
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup sea salt
- 1/4 cup Epsom SaltÂ
- 1/8 cup apple cider vinegarÂ
- 1 tablespoon carrier oilÂ
- 10-15 drops essential oil
Instructions
- Mix all the dry ingredients together in a medium-size mixing bowl.
- Add in the wet ingredients and stir until well combined.
- Pour into 2 gallons of warm water.
Jakki says
I just made the foot detox bath, did not realise how the ACV would react with salts lol. Anyways I’m.enjoying footbath right now. Trying to figure out how to make them without liquid so I can give as xmas gifts!
Justyna says
Hi Laura,
I love your recipies! I think it is worth considering to publish a book with all of them :).
I often use a simple foot bath soak with just sea salt when feeling on the edge of cold. I want to try your recipe next time. What oils would you add in case of sneezing and under the weather state?
Thank you!
Laura says
Thank you so much! I already have a book! You can find it on amazon or most bookstores. It is called, ” Natural Remedies for Your Health and Home.”
I would add in some immue boosting oils, I have a whole blog post on this!
Valorie says
Could you replace the apple cider vin. in this foot soak with witch hazel?
Becki says
So do I use all of that in one foot bath?? it seems like a lot of ingredients. Im not trying to sound naive, but I am very very new at this!!
Thank you so very much for your help!
Kenneth says
After the foot bath, do you recommend rinsing your feet with water or just dry them? Thank you.
Laura says
I rinse and pat dry.
Kristen says
Hi! Is the recipe for one treatment? Just clarification. It says to add to 2 gallons of water. Then I also read to add 1/2 cup of the mixture to water. Is that the mixture adter it’s been added to 2 gallons of water? Thanks!
Laura says
You add a 1/2 of a cup of the salt mixture to the water when you are ready to do the soak. 🙂
Julie M Chapman says
I would like to do as gifts, make and put into a mason jar and use a scoop to pull out as needed. Put everything except the apple cider vinegar in and just add that to whatever amount mixture you want to use. Or would the carrier oil and essential oil added to dry mixture and left to sit not work very well or go bad?
Laura says
Yes that sounds like a great plan!
Abbey says
The recipe calls for Sea Salt and Epsom Salt. Do you highly recommend using both? Would Pink Himalayan Salt work as a substitute for either of them?
Laura says
They both have different benefits for the skin and detoxing so that is why I do a blend of both. You can use pink himalayan too!
Abbey says
Okay, that makes sense!! Thanks:)
Tracey says
If making for gifts how long should you store it? And should you store in the fridge after you mske it
Laura says
You can make the salt part and leave out wet ingredients until gifting.
Rachel says
I can’t wait to try this! How much baking soda do you add?
🙂
Laura says
Sorry, I forgot to add that to the recipe card, I just updated it! It is 1/4 cup baking soda. Thanks for bringing that to my attention!
Gemma says
This couldn’t be more perfect timing for me, as I’ve got swelling in my foot thanks to plantar faciitis, so I think this foot bath would be heavenly right now!
Laura says
Oh yes, great timing! I hope this helps and that you feel better soon!
Jess Jankowski says
This is just what I need! Thanks for sharing!
Laura says
Of course!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
I am trying this as I’ve been really stressed out lately with this virus stuff!
Toni says
This is really awesome! I think this would be a great gift idea too!
Laura says
Yes it would make a great gift!
Cary says
This is just what the doctor ordered for me today! Thanks so much for sharing it! Cannot wait to try! Yaaaay!
Laura says
Oh perfect timing!
Tonya says
I am going to make this and can’t wait to trying since you can detox through your feet easily!!!
Laura says
Wonderful! It is such an easy thing to add into the routine and such great benefits!