How to Make a Foot Spa

Co-authored by Renee Hughes

Last Updated: December 7, 2022 Approved

Your feet are precious; they carry you many a mile and help you to maintain your posture. It is no surprise that they may feel tired, calloused, or swollen by the end of the day. Give your feet the attention they really deserve by pampering them with a foot spa. Once you know the basic procedure, you can experiment with special soaks and scrubs to suit the needs of your feet.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Creating a Basic Foot Spa

1
Create a relaxing environment. Decide where you want to have your foot spa, then dim the lights. Put on some music that you find relaxing. Light some candles, if desired, and make sure that all of your supplies are close by and ready to use. This includes your towels, scrubs, lotions, and socks or slippers.
- You can have your foot spa anywhere you want: bedroom, bathroom, living room, etc.
- Zen music, classical music, and nature sounds are all very relaxing. Everyone is different, however; if you find heavy metal to be the most relaxing, then go for it!
- If you want an invigorating foot spa instead, choose a room with windows, then open the curtains to let in the natural light.
2
Fill a plastic tub with warm water. Any plastic container that is big enough to fit both of your feet will do just fine. For a more luxurious experience, make sure that the tub is tall enough to reach halfway up your calves. You can also use one of those tubs made specifically for foot spas if you really want to get fancy.
- Consider adding some marbles or smooth stones into the bottom of the tub. This way, you can roll your feet over them and give yourself a foot massage!^{[1]
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3
Add your desired herbs, salts, or oils. Here is where you can get really creative. It can be as simple as adding a handful of Epsom salt or sea salt, or as fancy as creating a milk bath. Listed below are some ideas to get you started:
- Squirt some bubble bath solution if you like bubbles and wish to soften your feet.
- Add 10 drops of essential oil for fragrance and aromatherapy. Peppermint, lavender, or lemongrass are all great options.
- If you want a nicer, visual appearance, add a bit of mint or a handful of rose petals.
- To soften your feet, use 1 cup (125 grams) of powdered milk (dairy or soy) and 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) of almond oil instead.
4
Soak your feet in the water for 10 to 15 minutes. Pull the tub over in front of a comfortable chair. Sit down in the chair, then slip your feet into the tub. Read a book or close your eyes and listen to some music. You can even combine the foot spa with another treatment, such as a face mask or eye mask.
- Dirty water is not very relaxing, so make sure that your feet are clean. If they are dirty, rinse them off first in the shower, bathtub, or sink.
5
Exfoliate your feet with a scrub or manicure brush after soaking. Once the 10 to 15 minutes are up, it is time for some exfoliation! Use a manicure brush or a small body brush for a simple treatment. For a fancier treatment, use a homemade or store-bought foot scrub instead. Focus the exfoliation on your heels, where the skin is the most calloused.
- If you used the foot scrub, be sure to rinse it off using your foot soak water.
- For exceptionally calloused heels, consider using a pumice stone.
- Keep your feet over the tub so that you can splash water on them whenever it is necessary.
6
Follow up with a foot massage. If you added marbles to the tub, you can simply roll your feet back-and-forth across them. You can also use a store-bought massager, or give yourself a traditional foot massage using your hands.
- Don't stress about doing the massage correctly as a professional would. Do what feels the best to you.
7
Pat your feet dry, then apply moisturizer. Pat your feet dry with a soft, clean towel first. Next, massage some body lotion to your feet. If you don’t have any lotion, you can use body butter, body oil, or even jojoba oil instead. Seal the moisturizer in by putting on a pair of cotton socks. It would be best to leave these socks on overnight.
- Skip the socks if you will be giving yourself a pedicure.
8
Give yourself a pedicure, if desired. Clean under your toenails with a manicure brush, then trim them with nail clippers. Dry your feet with a clean towel, then wipe your toenails with nail polish remover to get rid of any oils. Apply a base coat, follow up with your desired nail polish color, then seal it with a clear topcoat. Let everything dry before moving on.
- If you need to push back your cuticles, do so with a cuticle pusher or orange stick before you apply the nail polish.
- It's recommended that you wait at least 45 minutes before wearing any closed-toe shoes after polish application.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Trying Different Soaks and Scrubs

1
Create a relaxing herbal soak using steeped herbs. Bring 3 cups (710 milliliters) of water to a boil. Wait 1 minute, then pour it over 2 ounces (56 grams) of dried herbs. Allow the herbs to steep for 30 to 60 minutes, then strain them. Pour the herb water into a foot tub, then fill it the rest of the way with warm water. Soak your feet in the water for 20 minutes.
- Great herbs to use include basil, calendula, chamomile, lavender, lemon balm, peppermint, rosemary, or thyme. Lavender and chamomile are very relaxing, while the lemon balm is invigorating.
- You can add the herbs to the foot soak as well, but you will have to rinse them off of your skin later.
- Make it more luxurious by adding 1 ounce (28 grams) of sea salt, 1 ounce (28 grams) of Epsom salt, 10 drops of essential oil, and 1 tablespoon (13 grams) of coconut oil.
2
Deodorize your feet with an Epsom salt and baking soda soak. Pour 1 cup (273 grams) of Epsom salt into a mason jar. Add 2 cups (360 grams) of baking soda and 25 drops of peppermint essential oil. Close and shake the jar to combine the ingredients. Stir 1/4 cup (68 grams) of the mixture into your next foot bath, then soak your feet in it for 15 to 20 minutes. Apply some moisturizer after drying off your feet.^{[2]
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- You can use this foot soak once per week.
3
Relieve achy feet with vinegar and salt soak. Fill your foot tub with warm water, then stir in 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of apple cider vinegar and a handful of sea salt or Epsom salt. Soak your feet in the tub for 20 minutes. Prepare a second soak using cool water instead of warm water. Dip a towel into the cool water, wring it out, then wrap it around your feet for 5 minutes.^{[3]
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- You can use this foot soak several times throughout the day if your feet are particularly inflamed or achy.
- Vinegar may sound like the last thing you'd want to put on your feet, but it actually helps reduce inflammation.
4
Soothe your feet with a peppermint foot scrub. Combine 1 cup (225 grams) of granulated sugar with 1/4 to 1/2 cup (50 to 100 grams) of coconut or olive oil. Stir in 3 to 5 drops of peppermint essential oil. Store the scrub in a wide-mouthed jar. Use a palmful each time you want to exfoliate your feet.^{[4]
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- The scrub should feel grainy, like wet sand. If it is too dry for you, add more oil; if it is too wet, add more sugar.
- The peppermint essential oil will help cool and soothe your feet. Its refreshing aroma may help you feel more relaxed. It will also help your feet smell better!
5
Refresh your feet with a lemon foot scrub. Mix together 2 cups (450 grams) of granulated sugar with 1/4 to 1/3 cup (60 to 80 milliliters) of almond or coconut oil. Add 6 to 8 drops of lemon essential oil and stir again. Transfer the scrub to a wide-mouthed jar. Use a palmful the next time your exfoliate your feet.^{[5]
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- The scrub should feel like wet sand. If it is too coarse for you, add more oil. If it is too wet, add more sugar.
- The lemon essential oil will help your feet feel more refreshed and smell fresh, too. The aroma will help your mind feel more awake, as well.

Community Q&A

Question

How do you set up a foot spa machine?

Community Answer

First of all, plug in the machine. You dont want the plug to get wet with water and shock you. Then carefully pour water into the machine (optional- add Epsom salt), then you turn it on. Soak your feet for as long as desired.
Question

What can you use if you don't have almond oil?

Community Answer

Some people use coconut oil as a substitute, but the effects are not as good.
Question

Specifically, how can I make my feet softer for the rest of my life when I have hard skin at bottom of my feet?

Community Answer

Try regularly using a pumice stone. Heels that crack easily and get calluses can be improved by rubbing over them at the end of the shower, to remove the hard and dry dead skin. It does need regular upkeep, though.

Warnings

Do not use hot water, as this will cause you to feel lethargic and unrefreshed.

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Don't let hard calluses, corns, or growths go unheeded. Seek out medical advice.

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