Can apple cider vinegar be used for foot soaking?
Aug 18, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Apple cider vinegar can be used for foot soaking, but attention should be paid to the dilution ratio and duration of use. Improper use may irritate the skin and it cannot replace specialized foot care methods. In daily life, foot care requires maintaining clean and dry feet, choosing breathable shoes and socks, and trimming toenails regularly. Relying solely on apple cider vinegar foot soaking has limited effectiveness; scientific foot care habits are key to maintaining foot health.
Generally speaking, apple cider vinegar can be used for foot soaking, but attention should be paid to the dilution ratio and duration of use. Improper use might irritate the skin and cannot replace specialized foot care methods. Detailed analysis is as follows:
Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid. When diluted, it may help clean the foot skin, remove surface oils and dead skin cells, and provide some relief for mild foot odor. However, apple cider vinegar is quite acidic. If not diluted properly, the high concentration of acetic acid may irritate the skin, potentially causing redness, dryness, or even a stinging sensation on the feet. This irritation may be more pronounced if the feet have wounds, peeling skin, or are sensitive. Therefore, when using apple cider vinegar for foot soaking, it should be adequately diluted with warm water at a ratio of 1:10 to 1:20, and each soaking session should be limited to 10–15 minutes.
In daily life, foot care should include keeping the feet clean and dry, wearing breathable shoes and socks, and trimming toenails regularly. Relying solely on apple cider vinegar foot soaking has limited effectiveness; adopting scientifically sound foot care habits is key to maintaining foot health.
