A salon pedicure is a little luxury that many of us indulge in. But have you considered the environmental impact of a visit to the nail salon? Read on to find out why I switched to home pedicures. Plus, a 20-minute home pedicure routine and DIY foot scrub recipe to let you enjoy some convenient and low-cost pampering.

This post was originally published in July 2020 as “Why I switched to home pedicures” and updated in May 2023.

Jump to foot scrub recipe

My history of pedicures

Although I love the look of brightly painted toenails, I was a latecomer to the pleasure of pedicures. In fact, I had my first pedicure when I was in my mid-40s after a conversation with a couple of co-workers. When I told them I had NEVER had a pedicure, they couldn’t believe it.

For Christmas that year, my boss gave me a gift card to a local spa. We were going on a cruise for winter break so I decided that was the perfect opportunity for my first pedicure. So, I made an appointment for the day before our trip and off I went.

I have to say that, although it wasn’t a life-changing experience, I did enjoy the pampering and found it very relaxing. After that, I would make a point of going for a pedicure 2 or 3 times every summer.

Until I considered the environmental impact.

Why I am not going back to the nail salon

After starting my waste reduction journey, I became hyper-aware of any unnecessary use of plastic and other disposable items. When I last visited the local nail salon, I was shocked when they lined the plastic tub with a disposable plastic liner. I didn’t recall them doing that in the past so it must have been a new procedure.

Seeing this made me wonder why it was necessary. Are they not cleaning the tub between customers? If they’re not cleaning the tub, what else aren’t they cleaning?

Needless to say, it turned me off enough that I decided to dust off my old Dr. Scholl foot spa and start doing my own pedicures at home.

What I like about home pedicures

I’m not going to lie. I do miss the pampering. But, part of my eco-friendly focus is being willing to give up some things I like in the interest of the environment or my health. If I am perfectly honest, there are a few things I prefer about home pedicures:

• It saves time. I can do a pedicure in the comfort of my own home whenever I have a spare half hour.
• I have control over the products I put on my feet. Nail polish and nail polish remover are pretty toxic, so I have stopped using them. I have also replaced foot scrub, cuticle oil and lotion with natural alternatives.
• It saves money. At an average of $60 per visit depending on the service, I’m saving between $120 and $180 a year.
• Nail salons have a horrible reputation for unethical labour practices. I no longer feel guilty for exploiting underpaid staff working in dangerous conditions that expose them to toxic chemicals on a daily basis.

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20-minute chemical-free home pedicure

I have my home pedicure down to an easy 20-minute routine using all-natural products. Here’s how it goes.

• Fill a foot spa or bowl with hot water.
• Turn on the massage function (if using a foot spa).
• Soak feet for 5-10 minutes.
• Push back cuticles and massage oil into cuticles. I have replaced cuticle oil or lotion with sweet almond, olive or grapeseed oil.
• Use a foot file to smooth calluses.
• Rinse and dry feet.
• Trim toe nails.
• Apply Easy natural foot scrub (see recipe below). Massage well into feet paying special attention to calluses.
• Rinse and dry feet.
• Buff nails.

Easy 4-ingredient natural foot scrub

This natural recipe takes 10 minutes to make using ingredients you probably have in your kitchen. It makes my feet feel so soft, I don’t need lotion. You can also use it on hands and elbows.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup coarse salt – regular table salt works fine
• 1/2 cup granulated white sugar
• Your choice of 1/2 cup oil. Sweet almond, olive, grapeseed or coconut oil are good options.
• 10 – 12 drops of your favourite essential oil (optional). I use lemon essential oil because it goes well with the honey.
• 2 tablespoons of honey

How to:

• Mix the salt and sugar together
• Slowly add the oil and mix well
• Add in the essential oil and honey and mix thoroughly

You can store the scrub in a mason jar for 3-4 months.

While I do miss the pampering from time to time, giving up salon pedicures is a decision I feel good about for so many reasons.

Are there things you have given up in the interest of waste reduction? Tell us about them below.