Updated October 2026
This tea tree oil foot soak with Epsom salt is my favorite way to refresh tired, sweaty feet. Warm water, Epsom salt and a few drops of fresh, clean-smelling tea tree make a simple at-home foot bath that softens skin and helps keep feet smelling fresh. It takes 15 minutes, and I follow it with a cooling tea tree foot gel.
Why Tea Tree and Epsom Salt?
Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) has a fresh, medicinal scent and is traditionally used for foot care, especially for sweaty, odor-prone feet. Learn more in my full tea tree essential oil guide.
Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) is a classic foot soak ingredient. A warm Epsom salt soak is a simple, relaxing way to:
- Soothe tired, achy feet after a long day
- Soften rough skin and calluses before exfoliating
- Freshen feet that tend to get sweaty or smelly
Here's my favorite Epsom salt (affiliate link).
Tea Tree Oil Foot Soak Recipe
Tea Tree Epsom Salt Foot Soak
- 1/4 cup Epsom salt
- 1 teaspoon unscented liquid castile soap or jojoba oil (affiliate link)
- 4 drops Tea Tree essential oil
- 8 to 10 cups warm water
- A foot basin (affiliate link)
Adults. For kids 6+, use 2 drops of tea tree.
Directions
- Stir the tea tree into the castile soap or jojoba first. Essential oils don't mix with water, and this helps them spread out instead of floating on top. Castile soap disperses them best.
- Mix that into the Epsom salt in a small bowl.
- Add the salt blend to your foot basin and pour in warm (not hot) water. Stir well.
- Soak your feet for about 15 minutes, or until the water cools.
- Dry your feet completely, including between your toes.
For extra foot care, gently smooth rough spots with a pumice stone (affiliate link) while your skin is soft.
Homemade Tea Tree Foot Gel
After my soak, I like to finish with this light, cooling gel. It keeps feet feeling fresh without an oily residue.
- 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel (affiliate link)
- 1 drop Tea Tree essential oil
- 1 drop Lavender essential oil
Directions: Mix in a small bowl or your palm (about 0.7%) and rub into clean, dry feet. Let it air dry before putting on socks.
Foot Soak Safety Tips
- Use warm, not hot, water, and test it with your hand first.
- Diabetes, poor circulation or numbness in your feet? Check with your doctor before foot soaks, and check your feet daily for cuts or sores.
- Skip the soak on broken, cracked or raw skin.
- Never use tea tree undiluted, and use fresh oil. Oxidized tea tree is more likely to irritate skin.
- Keep pets away from the foot basin, and dump the water when you're done.
- See a doctor or podiatrist for nail changes, persistent itching, or skin that doesn't improve.
Learn more about diluting essential oils and my 7 essential oil safety tips.
More Tea Tree Recipes
- What Blends Well With Tea Tree Essential Oil?
- Tea Tree Essential Oil: Uses, Safety and 10 Diffuser Blends
- Homemade Toilet Bowl Cleaner With Tea Tree
- DIY Nail Strengthening Serum
- Homemade Frankincense Bath Oil
DIY Essential Oil Recipes Guide
Want more easy recipes? My Aromatherapy Recipes Guide has 150+ simple blends for everyday wellness.
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