The best method for cleaning feet and toenails involves daily washing with soap and warm water, using a nail brush or loofah to scrub under the nails and between toes, thorough drying, and regular trimming after a bath when nails are soft, always drying well to prevent fungal issues, with options like foot soaks or pumice stones for tougher skin.
Cleaning your feet and toenails
Use soap to gently wash your feet. Using a nail brush, gently scrub your toenails. Do not soak your feet for more than 10 minutes. Dry your feet and between your toes thoroughly with a clean towel.
The easier way is to use a cuticle pusher. The wide side is for pushing back the eponychium. The angled side is meant to scrape out any gunk from underneath the nail. Some nail clippers have a similar type of tool. The end of the file is curved and can be used to scrape out stuff from underneath the nail.
The acidity in vinegar can help to kill the fungus. If you'd like to try soaking your feet in vinegar, mix equal parts of white vinegar and water and soak your toenails in this solution for up to 20 minutes.
The Best Treatments to Kill Toenail Fungus Instantly
Oral Antifungals (like Terbinafine or Itraconazole) – These work from the inside out, attacking the infection at its source. Topical Antifungal Solutions – Prescription-strength treatments penetrate the nail for faster and more effective results than OTC options.
Rinse and Dry
Remove your feet from the basin. Rinse with clean, warm water to remove any residual vinegar smell. Pat dry thoroughly, especially between the toes.
The best foot soak for nail fungus is to use Epsom salts in a warm water bath, or to soak your feet in vinegar for 10-15 minutes daily. Both methods are effective in killing fungal spores and aiding in the removal of mild forms of this condition.
DIY Scrubs
For a simple, basic foot scrub recipe, mix together a tablespoon of any type of sugar or coarse salt with a tablespoon of baking soda. Combine until well incorporated and then add in a tablespoon of olive oil.
To do a foot bath:
If the toenail fungus progresses, it can go deeper into the nail, causing discoloration, thick white stuff under the toenail (keratin debris), nail thickening and crumbling, and even transmission to surrounding nails.
It's also important to note that socks can retain fungal spores even after washing. So if you've had athlete's foot, wearing the same pair again – even if it looks clean – could trigger reinfection. The safest approach is to wear fresh socks daily and allow your shoes to dry out completely between wears.
Soaks using warm water and apple cider vinegar (1:1 ratio) or Epsom salt may help reduce fungal growth. Limit soaks to 15–20 minutes daily.
Common Foot Care Mistakes (You're Probably Making)
Massaging your toes, ankles, and soles with healing essential oils can restore the skin, alleviate tension, and even signal the body that it is time to relax at the end of the day. The skin on the feet is thicker, less sensitive, and possesses pores that are larger than those on the rest of the body.
Here's what we at Yeargain Foot & Ankle recommend for healthy, clean feet: Use lukewarm water – Hot water can dry out your skin. Apply gentle soap – Use a mild, antibacterial soap and scrub your feet (don't forget between the toes!).
Try adding 3–4 tablespoons of baking soda added to a basin full of warm water. Use 2 parts water and 1-part vinegar for a foot soak. The vinegar helps kill bacteria which reduces foot odor. It may also slow the growth of bacteria.
Rosemary contains compounds like cineole and camphor, known for their muscle-relaxing properties. A warm foot soak with rosemary can relieve muscle tension and soothe aching feet, making it especially beneficial after a long day.
Warm water – Not too hot, not too cold, but just right. Epsom Salts – Adding 1 Tbs Epsom salts to your foot bath can benefit your feet greatly. It can soothe dry skin, relieve aching feet, and help to remove foot odour.
To permanently kill toenail fungus, you need professional treatment, with oral antifungal medications like terbinafine (Lamisil) being the most effective for clearing the infection, though they require months of use and liver monitoring. Prescription topical creams (e.g., Jublia, Kerydin) and medicated nail polishes (Penlac) are also options, often used with nail thinning or combined with oral meds. Laser therapy can be effective by heating the fungus but isn't a first-line treatment and lacks strong evidence for a permanent cure.
It can help control infections, neutralize bad odors, soften the skin, hydrate feet, and calm itching. Apple cider vinegar is rich in acids and antifungal ingredients that can help regulate the pH balance of our skin. Simply add a cup of vinegar to a bowl of warm water and soak your feet for 15 to 20 minutes.
The type of vinegar you use doesn't necessarily matter — most people either take a white vinegar foot soak or an apple cider vinegar foot soak. The important thing is the pH of the vinegar, which should typically be 2-3.
Some individuals may notice improvement within a few weeks, while others may require several months of consistent use to see significant results. It is important to be patient and persistent when using natural remedies like ACV.