Summer is knocking on our doors (and with flip-flops), so it's high time our feet stepped out of their winter shelters and straight onto sunny terraces and into open sandals. But beware – if you're worried about cracked skin on your heels or a fungus on your nail, nail polish will help you just as much as an umbrella in a hurricane.
Summer smells like watermelons, sunscreens and… frankly, sometimes even fungus. Even though no one invites them, they like to sneak onto our nails and between our toes, like that party guest who never knows when it’s time to go home. But the good news is that there’s a simple, natural and affordable solution: good old apple cider vinegarIntroducing – vinegar that cures nail fungus and some other scenarios.
Yes, the one you usually use for salad has another – almost superhero – ability: it can thoroughly clean your feet and prepare them for the season. sandalsNo chemistry, no excessive drama, and no emptying your wallet.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Humble on the Shelf, Mighty on Your Feet
Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, a natural substance with strong antibacterial and antifungal properties. It also softens the skin, promotes skin regeneration, and neutralizes unpleasant odors – to be honest, some shoes need just that in the summer.
It's no coincidence that grandmothers have been using it for decades, and TikTok has been singing its praises in recent years.
1. Dry, cracked heels? An overnight solution (literally)
If your heels look like they survived a drought in the Sahara, this trick is perfect for you – because dry heels are also caused by fungus. Just like nail fungus.
What do you need?
- Apple cider vinegar (preferably unfiltered, for full effect)
- A piece of cotton wool or cotton pad
- A patch, bandage, or tight sock
Process:
- Soak the cotton ball well in apple cider vinegar.
- Place on cracked area on heel.
- Secure with a plaster, bandage, or wear a tight cotton sock.
- Let it work over the night.
- In the morning, gently scrub your skin with a file or rough cloth.
How many times?
2–3x a week. The result? Heels that even a ballerina would be proud of.
2. Nail or foot fungus? The acid that says, “Goodbye, fungus!”
Fungi are stubborn and persistent, but regular vinegar bath he knows how to let them down fairly well.
What do you need?
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup warm (not hot!) water
- Basin or foot basin
- A towel
Process:
- Mix water and apple cider vinegar in a ratio of 1:1.
- Soak your feet 20–30 minutes.
- After the foot bath dry well – a crucial step, as fungi love moisture more than a cactus loves drought.
- You can apply a few more drops if desired. tea tree oil – another natural antifungal ace.
How many times?
1–2 times a day for acute problems, 3–4 times a week for prevention.
3. Corns? Aspirin and vinegar – a duo that heals
Corns are no metaphor – they can be as annoying and painful as bad music in an elevator. But the combination of aspirin and apple cider vinegar works surprisingly effectively.
What do you need?
- 3 to 5 regular aspirin tablets (not coated!)
- 1–2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- Mortar or spoon
- Bandage or gauze
Process:
- Crush the aspirin into a fine powder.
- Add vinegar – just enough to get thick paste.
- Apply the paste directly to the corn.
- Cover with a bandage or gauze.
- Let it work 10–15 minutes.
- Then rinse and gently remove the softened skin.
How many times?
2–3 times a week until the problem disappears (and with it the annoying pain).
Why waste money on cream when you have vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar is not just a salad dressing, it's a natural skincare star that deserves a place in your bathroom. It works because it's simple. It's effective because it's natural. And it's cool because it smells like grandma's secrets and TikTok trends at the same time.
Bonus tip – for treating – nail fungus:
For extra pampering, you can add to your vinegar bath a tablespoon of sea salt, lavender essential oil or Coffee and coconut oil scrub for a “foot spa” experience at home.
Your feet deserve some love – not just when you're wearing sandals, but every day. And apple cider vinegar? Well, it might be this summer's most underrated beauty icon.
