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Original poster

Smelly feet!

42 replies

offendednostrils · 12/04/2018 16:47

Shamelessly namechanged as I don’t want rancid feet to be linked to my other innocuous posts Grin

Posting here for traffic mainly as I thought I’d consult the infinite wisdom of AIBU to tackle this issue.

My DP’s feet stink. He showers twice a day, wears clean socks every day. He leaves his work boots at work and changes into a pair of trainers to come home in. He has a very physical job and is on his feet all day. But when he comes home, the whole place is stunk out by his feet and these horrific shoes! We’ve tried tea bags, bicarb and the most offensive smelling trainers are currently going round in the washing machine.

He gets very upset if I mention that I can smell his feet, as I think he’s actually quite embarrassed about the problem.

How can the poor man stop his feet and shoes stinking to high heaven?! They actually smell like a dead animal, and the laundry bin smells even worse when it’s got a few days’ worth of socks in there.

TIA Grin

(I feel like a sock troll)

OP posts:
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FIONAWILL · 01/10/2023 21:54

This is 100% a cure. My husband had pitted keratolysis that made his feet really stink. It took a really strong dose of antibiotics to get rid of it but after 6 months it started to return, he started using hibiscrub ( as per your recommendation) and it cleared it almost immediately, 1 year on and his feet are great despite playing tennis 5 times a week! Thanks 🙏

IHeartMarmiteToast · 13/04/2018 13:24

can you try a Dettol soak? Helped me.

fluffyrobin · 13/04/2018 13:04

Put distilled white vinegar in shoes and with the normal load each time and don't use trainers as being fabric they just absorb all odours!

It's often down to diet so cut out dairy and processed meat and have loads of fish and veg/rice etc instead.

idril · 13/04/2018 10:49

Definitely sounds like a fungal infection. Try Daktarin - it's over the counter and will clear it up really quickly.

We all ended up with really bad smelly feet after a holiday in cornwall where we spent a lot of time in wet suit shoes. Daktarin cleared it up.

Original poster
offendednostrils · 12/04/2018 23:13

Looks like Hibiscrub is the next step!

He needs another pair of work boots but they’re not available on public sale, have to go through the supplier (steel toe caps but ‘smart’) and they’ve all just had a new set of uniform. It’s ridiculous!

OP posts:
pumpkintree · 12/04/2018 22:42

there is a diot powder you can buy its amazing at stoping feet sweat. 79p in.homebargains

BotanicalGin · 12/04/2018 22:32

Yes, to Hibiscrub. It kills all the bacteria which cause the smell.

glitterbiscuits · 12/04/2018 22:16

Hibiscrub! Get it from Amazon.

Sorted out someone’s smelly feet in this house in one go!

brownelephant · 12/04/2018 22:11

cat litter
fill shoes with cat litter when he takes them off. that will draw moisture and absorb smell.

but he also needs to practice good hygiene

  • wash feet twice a day with proper soap (bar soap) and dry well, possible use foot deodorant. if he has a skin infection there are instructions on desinfectant bottles on how to use them on skin
  • wash socks on a hot wash or with sanitiser (dettol laundry stuff for example)

but really, he needs to wear more breathable shoes. if his feet are swimming in sweat, that's a recipe for trench foot.

TheBrilloPad · 12/04/2018 22:08

My sister has this, and then did that "footner" thing where you wear that sock and all your skin peels off and there is fresh baby new skin underneath, and the smell went away and never came back. Worth a try.

Mabelface · 12/04/2018 22:05

Lush t for toes is brilliant for honky feet.

LadyPenelopeCantDance · 12/04/2018 22:04

I have really sweet stinky feet too Blush. Wearing tights and synthetic shoes is the worst for me. Have recently discovered this stuff, which kills the bacteria and is almost odourless. It’s the only thing that has stopped the stink in my shoes. I rotate my shoes round and put in a charcoal insert that absorbs moisture in when taking them off, all of which has helped.

www.amazon.co.uk/Actifresh-Spray-Months-Supply-100ml/dp/B003JS70FS?tag=mumsnetforum-21

Kate123cl · 12/04/2018 22:00

I've heard baby powder on feet is meant to prevent smell!

trojanpony · 12/04/2018 21:53

Get him to throughly! Wash his feet in hibiscrub - It’s pink and surgeons use it you can get it in boots
then Mitchum spray deodorant (it’s fantastic stuff)
then start with new shoes and new socks (that don’t have the stink taint) otherwise you cross contaminate

Sunflowerhappy · 12/04/2018 20:58

Does he work for royal mail any chance?

I would suggest he wears his own shoes to work and bin the old ones. He can just say they ripped or what ever until he gets new ones.
Just try foot deoderent, talc etc and make a gp appt, they mite prescribe him something.
Maybe get rid of any dry or hard skin on the foot too.

silverbirches · 12/04/2018 20:49

Apparently, soaking your feet every day in a bowl of water with a slosh of surgical spirit works wonders.

Agree with another pp - he needs more than one pair of work boots. It's no good getting rid of the awful pong if he is only going to let his feet fester in the same boots again the next day.

babyboyHarrison · 12/04/2018 20:43

If his feet are sweating try something like odaban spray on them in the evenings. Shouldn't need to do it every night. Really effective at stopping sweating.

RoseWhiteTips · 12/04/2018 20:22

This might be a medical issue due to excessive sweating? See a doc.

Queenio24 · 12/04/2018 20:11

I think he needs more than one pair of work boots in addition to all the other steps.

Original poster
offendednostrils · 12/04/2018 20:06

Just had a look under his feet again, the pads of his toes are quite pitted I suppose? The smell is horrific tonight! His socks are wringing wet with sweat Confused

The trainers have just been tumble dried with a liberal dowsing of Zoflora and they seem to be less offensive now!

OP posts:
Chrys2017 · 12/04/2018 19:59

What colour are the trainers?
I discovered by trial and error over the years that if I purchase black trainers, they always stink. I've had the same problem with some black t-shirts.
I wondered if it was something in the dye but never really found out. Anyway, I avoid buying black trainers now and haven't had the problem since.

OneStepSideways · 12/04/2018 19:54

He should wash his feet as soon as he gets home, with antibacterial soap. Then put deodorant and foot powder on before socks.

ReverseGiraffe · 12/04/2018 19:54

Buy some T for Toes from Lush. Exdp had horrible smelling feet and this does the trick.

fuzzywuzzy · 12/04/2018 19:44

Daily showers obviously, soak feet in tea with a few drops tea tree oil.

Put those little silica sachets you get in new things which soak up moisture in his shoes.

Rotate shoes so shoes have a chance to completely dry out from previous days wear.

Also have a DP who had terrible smelling feet.

ididntmeanitlikethat · 12/04/2018 19:40

My OP has this problem due to an accident years ago. Odaban foot powder has been life changing. You can order on Amazon but make sure it's the powder not the spray