People Are Using Listerine as a Foot Soak—So Does It Work?

Naturally, people want to get rid of athlete’s foot and other fungal infections any way they can. Enter: the Listerine foot soak. This may sound a bit odd to those who have never heard of it, but some say that soaking your feet in a mixture of Listerine and water or vinegar can help remove athlete’s foot and forms of foot fungus. 

According to the Mayo Clinic, athlete’s foot often occurs among people whose feet get sweaty while confined to tight footwear. But it’s also contagious and can spread from person to person through contact with towels, floors, and other surfaces. If you’ve ever experienced athlete’s foot, you know this isn’t a very fun experience: It itches, burns, and typically leads you to develop a red rash. Sometimes it blisters, too. So can you cure this ailment with good old-fashioned mouthwash?

To understand more about a Listerine foot soak and if it actually works, we reached out to three dermatologists. Here’s what you need to know.

What Is a Listerine Foot Soak?

A Listerine foot soak is a mixture of equal parts Listerine and water that people soak their feet in for a specified amount of time (anywhere from 45 to 60 minutes). Supporters claim the mixture contains antifungal, antiseptic, and cooling/calming properties.

The Purported Benefits

According to dermatologists, the key benefit of a Listerine foot soak is that it may help address foot fungus, but there’s a bit of debate as to whether it truly works, or if it’s a good idea. Let’s start by trying to understand some of the soak's potential benefits.

Shainhouse explains that Listerine Original (this is the amber-colored Listerine you may have seen on store shelves) contains thymol, which has anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties. 

“Soaking infected feet or toes in diluted Listerine twice a day for 20 minutes can help kill the dermatophytes (fungus) on the skin and/or in the nails,” she says. “The soaking actually softens the nail plate, so the thymol can penetrate and kill the fungal elements,” she says. If you only have one nail affected, you can soak a cotton ball in Listerine and apply it directly to the nail. 

Skotnicki says Listerine contains four essential oils with alleged antiseptic qualities: eucalyptol, menthol, thymol, and methyl salicylate. “There are aspects of these essential oils that may decrease the unwanted growth of fungal organisms and invasive bacterial species through their antiseptic qualities,” she says. 

The Risks and Drawbacks

The essential oils in Listerine may irritate your skin and can potentially cause a reaction such as allergic contact dermatitis, Skotnicki says. Dr. Geeta Yadac, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET dermatology seconds that opinion. "The menthol present in Listerine can potentially be irritating to the skin," she says, "Not to mention, it just feels wasteful."

This is more likely if you have sensitive skin, but you also might experience dry skin after a foot soak, due to the alcohol in Listerine. Also if you have open wounds or cuts, you should avoid this method as it can cause burning and irritation.

Dr. Yadav also believes it's important to note that Listerine "will not cure existing athlete's foot" even though it has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. If you're prone to developing athlete's foot, it could be a helpful practice, but do not expect a cure she cautions.

Does It Actually Work?

Across the board, dermatologists are skeptical of Listerine foot soaks and advise that there are far more effective, well-researched, safer options. Seema Panduranga Kini, a board-certified dermatologist with Kaiser Permanente isn't on board with a Listerine foot soak. “The menthol in Listerine soaks may be soothing,” she says. “But aside from that, [it] has no real benefits.” If you’re looking to treat dry and cracked skin on your feet, she suggests applying urea cream and using a pumice stone to soften the skin instead.

The skin also has its own ability to fight off bacteria and invasive fungus with something called an acid pH. “So just like antibiotics, we could use antiseptics to decrease unwanted organisms on the feet in the form of fungus and bacteria that cause foot odor,” Skotnicki says. “But a better way is to lower the skin pH.”

Overall, Skotnicki doesn’t recommend Listerine foot soaks. Instead, she's in favor of an apple cider vinegar soak, which has less potential to irritate your skin. To do this, simply add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to lukewarm water in a foot bath or large bowl. She prefers this method because it uses “the natural ability of our skin to balance the microbiome and ward off unwanted organisms without trying to 'kill' them with antiseptics.” 

Sharleen St. Surin-Lord, assistant professor of dermatology at Howard University College of Medicine and founder and medical director at Visage Dermatology and Aesthetic Center, isn’t opposed to the idea of a Listerine foot soak when used as a compliment to other treatment options. “With today’s consumer seeking more natural treatment options, and for those who are uninsured or underinsured and are unable to purchase prescription drugs, home remedies provide a viable treatment option,” she says. 

That said, the idea of soaking your feet every day isn’t sustainable for everyone, especially those seeking instant results. “I don’t know how long foot soaks will last until someone just goes to the dermatologist requesting a prescription for a once-a-day cream for two weeks or a pill for their athlete’s foot,” she says, adding that treating nail fungus requires more than Listerine since the fungus lives under the nail and a product to treat nail fungus must have good penetration.

How to Try It at Home

The resounding consensus when it comes to using Listerine as a foot soak is that while it might not be extremely effective, it won't hurt you either (as long as you don't over-use this solution). So if you want to try your hand at this at home, here's how: To do a Listerine foot soak, you're going to start by getting your hands on a foot bath or bowl that’s large enough to fit your feet. Then you'll mix equal parts of warm water and Listerine, and maybe even a bit of lemon juice. Make sure there’s enough liquid so that your feet are covered. Soak your feet for somewhere between 15 and 20 minutes (though some recommend up to 45 minutes).

The water is important here for diluting the Listerine—it's definitely not a good idea to soak your feet in straight Listerine. And of course, if you have any medical concerns at all, it’s important to check with your doctor before trying something like this.

The Takeaway

A Listerine foot soak may be helpful for treating foot or nail fungus, but it doesn’t always work, and not all dermatologists are convinced it’s a good idea. Remember that checking in with your doctor is always important, too. Especially if you’ve been trying this soak for a few weeks and it doesn’t seem to be working. You may need a different treatment. 

As with anything, a Listerine soak should be used in moderation. “Would I recommend it as a board-certified dermatologist for treatment of athlete’s foot or toenail fungus? Not really, since I have other things in my armamentarium,” St. Surin-Lord says. “Do I respect natural skincare practices? Yes, as long as they do no harm.”

If the Listerine foot soak is a little too outside of your comfort zone, Dr. Yadav recommends using Baby Foot Exfoliation Foot Peel instead. This will offer effective exfoliation without wastefulness.