Foot detox uses foot baths or pads to claim toxin removal through your feet. However, research does not support these claims.

What Actually Happens in a Foot Detox?

A foot detox involves soaking your feet in a machine that emits a low-voltage electric current through the water. This creates positively charged ions that are thought to attract negatively charged toxins in your body.

Supposedly, this pulls toxins out of your feet and into the water, which changes the color of the bath.

You can also add special salts or herbs to help draw out toxins. No studies have shown that ionized water or special herbal baths can remove toxins from feet.1

Which Method Should You Try?

Different foot detox methods are available at spas or can be done using at-home tools or products.

Some types of foot detoxes include:

• Detox foot pad: These adhesive pads are stuck to your feet overnight. They may use ions or herbs to pull toxins out of the bottom of your feet.
• Herbal foot soak: This traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) foot detox involves soaking your feet in a warm, herbal bath for about an hour. Herbal blends include capsicum, rutaceae, frankincense, myrrh, and safflower.2
• Ionic foot bath: The most popular foot detoxes involve using an ionic foot bath and sometimes include salts or herbs. Spas may also include a foot massage, scrub, or mask. 
• Reflexology massage: A specialist applies pressure to specific points on your feet to relax the body and unblock energy that holds onto toxins.3 
• Salt foot soak: You soak your feet in a warm Epsom salt or sea salt bath to relax tension in your feet and supposedly remove toxins..4 

Can Foot Detox Help You Feel Better?

A foot detox is intended to pull toxins through the bottom of your feet.

Supporters claim it offers benefits such as:256 

• Helps with weight management
• Boost energy and mood
• Decrease swelling and inflammation
• Improve blood circulation
• Ease stress levels
• Relieve pain
• Support immune health

Limited evidence suggests foot detox baths may improve mood, stress, and muscle soreness. Small studies have shown they can enhance relaxation.

They may ease symptoms of schizophrenia, stroke, diabetic neuropathy, and chemotherapy-related fatigue.7652

Is It Really Effective?

Despite the hype and manufacturer claims, there's no evidence that foot detoxes and herbs can detoxify the body.1 Several foot detox pads were banned in 2010 for falsely claiming to treat illnesses.8

Many people still believe foot detoxes work because the water or pads change color. Impurities in the water, dirt from your feet, or salts likely cause the color change.

Electricity from ionic foot baths may slowly corrode metal, which discolors the water. Feet sweating and interacting with the pad can change the color of the foot detox pads.

How To Do a Foot Detox Bath at Home

Even though a foot detox bath likely will not remove toxins from your body, it can be a relaxing self-care practice.

You can purchase ionic foot baths online and at some homeware retail stores. They can be pricey for a product that does not work as advertised—with some models costing $100 or more.

Ionic Foot Detox Bath

• Follow these directions to do an ionic foot detox bath at home:
• Fill the foot bath with warm water
• Add the salt or herbs to the tub as instructed
• Place the ionizer device into the tub and turn it on
• Soak your feet for 20-30 minutes
• Rinse and dry your feet completely following the soak

At-Home Foot Detox Bath

You can also do a foot detox bath using Epsom salts or medicinal herbs in a bathtub, large bowl, or wash tub you already have at home.

You can also purchase an inexpensive, non-ionic foot bath. Herbal soaks often come in a bag that resembles a giant tea bag with TCM herbs like ginger and safflower. 

Here is how to create an at-home foot detox bath:42

• Fill a large bowl, wash tub, or foot bath with warm water
• For an Epsom salt foot bath, dissolve ½ cup Epsom salt soak to the water, and add a few drops of essential oils if desired
• For an herbal foot bath, add the instructed amount or premade bag to the water, then let it steep for a few minutes
• Soak your feet for 20-30 minutes
• Dry your feet completely following the soak

Are There Any Risks?

Foot detoxes are generally safe, but you might experience side effects such as: 

• Allergic reactions to herbs or adhesives 
• Burns from hot water
• Skin irritation or infections

Avoid a foot detox bath if you have open sores or wounds on your feet. Salt and herbal ingredients can irritate wounds, and open sores increase your risk of infection.9  

Other people who may avoid foot detox include:

• Infants and pregnant or breastfeeding people: No research has shown whether foot detoxes are safe for these groups. 
• People with electrical implants like pacemakers: Ionic baths may disrupt electrical implants and pacemakers.
• People with diabetes: People with diabetes are more likely to develop foot sores.