Winters are convenient for your feet: keep them covered in shoes and socks, and you are good to go. Summer is when you realise you have neglected your feet for far too long than you should have. Then you panic and book an appointment for a pedicure.

Fortunately for you, there are things you can do at home for your feet before you hit the parlour and burn a hole in your pocket. Yes, it will take some time, but with care and patience, everything can be restored to its former glory.

Deal with hard skin

When you neglect to exfoliate your feet, dead Skin cells build up over time, resulting in a hard layer that may cause pain and discomfort. Before you do anything else to your feet, you must deal with this hard skin. Try soaking your feet in warm water, and then gently scrub the dead skin from the heels and the balls of your feet with a pumice stone. You may need to do this every day for a while until you see results. Remember to be patient while removing the dead skin from your feet.

Care for your toenails

Taking care of the Toenails is as important as grooming the rest of your feet. If you neglect your toenails, you might end up with ingrown nails and fungal infections. Always remember to cut your toenails straight across, unlike your fingernails. Cutting them into rounded edges could result in ingrown nails that can cause infection and pain. File the edges of the toenails for a nice shape.

Fight the stink

Summers are notorious for causing excess sweat, and your feet aren’t excluded from it, given that they have millions of sweat glands. When you spend the day in nonbreathable socks and shoes, the sweat accumulates and results in stinky feet. To fight the stink, make sure you allow your shoes to dry before wearing them again. Use an antibacterial soap and foot talc, and carry an extra pair of socks to change into during the day.

Get a pedicure

If all else fails, it’s time to get a pedicure. Depending upon the condition of your feet and the kind of parlour you visit, there are a number of treatment options available, from regular maintenance to customised services. Be prepared to shell out a handsome fee for these services.

Regular maintenance

Once you make your feet summer ready, it is important to take regular care, to prevent a state of neglect. Keeping your feet clean, wearing breathable shoes, and daily moisturising after a shower are the things you must do to get soft, healthy feet fit for public display.