Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 4: Getting ready for the foot bath
• Part 2 of 4: Wash your feet beforehand
• Part 3 of 4: Soak your feet in a foot bath with Epsom salt
• Part 4 of 4: Exfoliate and care for your feet afterwards
• Tips
• Warnings

If you suffer from dry, flaky, rough feet and / or calluses, you can take a foot bath with Epsom salt to naturally soften and smooth your feet. A warm foot bath is also an excellent way to relax. If you have a medical condition (including diabetes or heart disease), it is best to seek advice from your doctor before taking a foot bath.

To step

Part 1 of 4: Getting ready for the foot bath

1. Buy Epsom salt. Epsom salt, also known as magnesium sulfate or Epsom salt, can be purchased at most drugstores. You will likely find it with pain killers (aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.) and patches, as it is often used for muscle pain. Make sure to buy Epsom salt that is suitable for humans. You can find this on the packaging.
   • All types of Epsom salt contain the same natural minerals (magnesium and sulfate), but the composition depends on the application of the salt. Epsom salt can be used, for example, in the food industry or agriculture.
2. Buy a foot bath. You should be able to purchase a properly sized foot bath or tub at a department store or household goods store. You may also be able to buy them at a somewhat larger drugstore. You can also buy them online.
   • If you don't have a lot of money to spend, it is cheaper to buy a tub instead of a foot bath. A tub is not made especially for your feet, so make sure you buy one big enough for both feet. You could stand in the store to try this out. Also keep in mind the depth of the basin - the water should reach just above your ankles.
   • If you buy an electric foot bath, check in advance if you can add other ingredients in addition to water in the bath.
3. Buy a pumice stone. There are many different types of pumice stones for sale. You should be able to find them easily at the drug store or a department store. Some pumice stones look just like stones, others have a string or a stick. No stone is better than another; just choose the stone you like best.
   • Avoid pumice stones that look natural. These are as hard as stone. If you don't use pumice stones specifically for cosmetic use, you run the risk of damaging your skin.
4. Decide where to take your foot bath. Do you sit in the living room while watching TV? Or do you take a foot bath in the bathroom while listening to music or reading a book? Whichever area you choose to soak your feet, make sure you have set up the area correctly before proceeding with the next steps.
   • If you want to rinse your feet after soaking, it is a good idea to stay in or near the bathroom.
5. Pay attention to the type of floor on which you place the foot bath. If you're setting your foot bath on a tile or hardwood floor, place a towel on the floor to avoid slipping from water that might splash over the edge when you soak and scrub your feet. If you're placing the foot bath or tub on a carpet, you may want to put a place mat or other waterproof material underneath to protect your carpet.

Part 2 of 4: Wash your feet beforehand

1. Wash your feet with warm water and a mild soap. Before soaking your feet in the foot bath, wash them briefly to remove excess dirt. Get into the bathtub or shower, wet, soap and rinse your feet.
   • Make sure to use a mild soap that won't irritate the skin on your feet.
2. Be thorough. Wash the areas between your toes, around your ankles, on the tops of your feet and the soles of your feet. This is especially important if you often walk barefoot or wear sandals.
3. Pat your feet dry with a clean towel. Pay attention to which areas are particularly dry. When you have your feet in the foot bath, you will probably be less able to see this. Remember which areas these are so that you can exfoliate them properly later.

Part 3 of 4: Soak your feet in a foot bath with Epsom salt

1. Fill the tub or foot bath with hot water. Make the water as hot as possible, but make sure you can put your feet in it comfortably and they don't burn. Do not put too much water in the foot bath and leave enough space for your feet. When you put your feet in, the water level will rise slightly.
   • Before adding the Epsom salt, make sure the water doesn't feel too hot. This way you don't waste salt if you have to throw some hot water away to add some cold water.
   • If you have an electric foot bath, take advantage of the extra features it has to make it even more fun. For example, you can use the vibrate function.
2. Add Epsom salt to the hot water. How much salt you need depends on how much water you put in the foot bath. For a standard-sized foot bath (or a tub the size of a foot bath), use 120 grams of Epsom salt.
   • If you prefer, you can also add a few drops of essential oils such as lavender oil.These can not only give your foot bath a relaxing scent, but can also have additional benefits, such as antimicrobial properties.
3. Put your feet in the foot bath or basin. Put them in carefully, being careful not to let the water be too hot or let water splash over the edge. Once you have put your feet in the foot bath, you can gently move them to mix the Epsom salt with the water.
4. Soak your feet for 10 to 15 minutes. After this, you will notice that the rough areas of your feet have softened (and maybe even swollen a bit). Your feet are ready for the exfoliation at that point.
5. Scrub your feet with Epsom salt. Mix a small amount of hot water with a handful of Epsom salt and stir to form a paste. Massage the paste into your feet for a few minutes to remove rough skin.
   • Don't forget to exfoliate the areas around your toes and on the back of your heels. Dead skin is more difficult to see in those areas.
6. Put your feet back in the foot bath. Rinse the paste off your skin by putting your feet back in the foot bath after scrubbing them with Epsom salt.

Part 4 of 4: Exfoliate and care for your feet afterwards

1. Scrub your feet with a pumice stone. Lift your feet out of the foot bath. You don't have to dry them before exfoliating, but you should wet the pumice stone before using it on your feet. Apply light to moderate pressure and rub the pumice stone over the wet, callused areas of your feet for two to three minutes to remove dead skin.
   • Rubbing too hard with a pumice stone can irritate and infect your skin. It shouldn't hurt, so if it does rub less hard. If your skin is very irritated, stop taking it completely until your skin has healed.
   • You can use a pumice stone daily, but be sure to rinse it after using it. If the pumice stone looks very worn, try cooking it. If that doesn't seem to work, buy a new pumice stone.
   • If you can't find or want to use a pumice stone in the store, you can also buy a foot file at most drugstores and department stores. You use a foot file in much the same way as a pumice stone. Rub the callus on your feet with the foot file, applying light to moderate pressure. If it hurts, stop.
2. Rinse your feet. If your foot bath is still clean and not full of dead skin flakes, you can put your feet back in the tub to rinse them one last time before drying them off. If the foot bath is cluttered with dead skin flakes or if you feel cleaner rinsing your feet with clean water, run your feet under the tap and rinse with lukewarm water.
   • Some people claim that Epsom salt has a detoxifying effect and that it is necessary to rinse your feet after taking a foot bath with Epsom salt. This will remove the toxins that have reached the surface of the skin. There is little to no scientific evidence for this claim, but it certainly doesn't hurt to rinse your feet.
3. Gently wrap your feet in a towel. Wrap your feet in a towel to soak up most of the water. Then pat your feet dry, but don't rub them. This can irritate your skin.
4. Hydrate your feet. After you dry your feet, apply a moisturizing lotion. You can know what you are using, but it is best to use something that has no or only a slight odor.
   • If your feet aren't badly cracked or dry, a light moisturizer will suffice. However, if your feet are very dry, it is better to use a stronger remedy or something specially formulated for cracked and dry feet.
   • Cover your feet with socks after applying an oil or lotion and before going to sleep.
   • Avoid wetting with petroleum-based products as they can be carcinogenic.
5. Be patient. Depending on how rough and dry your feet are, you may need to bathe several times to get soft feet. You should see results in one to two weeks if you carefully follow these steps two or three times a week.
6. Enjoy your soft, smooth feet. Don't stop when you're happy with how your feet feel. If you want to keep your feet soft for a long time, you have to keep taking care of them. However, you don't have to take a foot bath as often anymore.

Tips

• Add lavender oil (for relaxation) or olive oil (for extra hydration) to your foot bath to take even more care of your feet. If you have an electric foot bath, read the manual beforehand to make sure you can put oil in it.
• To get the feeling that you are undergoing a spa treatment, you can give yourself a pedicure after the foot bath. Your cuticles will be soft and easier to push back after soaking. If you have hard toenails, you will also be able to trim them more easily after the foot bath.
• Taking a warm foot bath has been scientifically proven to help reduce fatigue and sleep problems.

Warnings

• When exfoliating, only use tools intended for use on your feet. Also make sure that all tools are cleaned to avoid infections.
• Don't take a foot bath with Epsom salt more than two or three times a week, otherwise you can make your feet even drier.
• If you have a medical condition, consult your doctor before taking Epsom salts.
• On the other hand, if your skin becomes drier or irritated after taking a foot bath with Epsom salts, soak your feet less often (say, once instead of three times a week) or stop using it altogether. If you still have skin irritation after stopping, see your doctor.
• Watch for any open wounds you may have on your feet. If you have an open wound on your foot, do not use strongly scented oils or other agents that could irritate the wound.
• Do not use Epsom salt on your feet if you are diabetes have. Also avoid strong antiseptic soaps, other chemicals (iodine and calluses and warts remover), and scented skin lotions.
• Hot foot baths are not recommended for people with diabetes peripheral vascular disease or diabetes.