How about smelling food anywhere but on your hands? Chopping garlic, handling shellfish, or dealing with any pungent ingredients often leaves a lingering odor that can persist for hours or even days. Fortunately, there are several household items that can tackle this problem, and chances are, you already have most of them within arm’s reach. Food has the ability to tantalize our senses, from its delightful aroma before and during cooking to the lingering scent afterward. Picture the tempting fragrance of freshly baked cookies wafting through the house, making your mouth water all afternoon. Or imagine the savory aroma of a simmering stew on the stove, tempting you throughout the day.
Here are 7 effective methods to banish food odors from your hands
1. Toothpaste or Mouthwash: An easy solution is toothpaste. Apply a small amount to your hands, rub vigorously, and rinse thoroughly instead of using regular hand soap. Mouthwash, especially those containing peppermint or salt, can also effectively neutralize odors.
2. Lemon Juice: Lemon juice works wonders in masking food odors, especially those from fish or seafood. The citric acid in lemon juice converts smelly amines into less pungent ammonium ions. Either rub half a lemon over your hands and the cutting board or rinse your hands in a mixture of lemon juice and water after washing.
3. Stainless Steel: Any stainless steel item like a bowl, tap, or even a stainless steel odor remover soap bar can be used to rub your hands while submerged in water. The sulfur molecules in foods like onions and garlic are attracted to the chromium molecules in stainless steel, effectively transferring the smell from your hands to the steel.
4. Coffee Grounds: Spread coffee grounds or beans on your hands to absorb odors before washing with soap and water. However, if you’re not a fan of the coffee smell, be cautious, as the coffee aroma might replace the original odor.
5. Tomato Juice: Rub freshly squeezed tomato juice on your skin to eliminate odors. This method not only moisturizes your hands but also helps fade heat-induced dark patches while masking strong odors.
6. Baking Soda: Baking soda, a versatile household item, also acts as an excellent odor neutralizer. Add a spoonful to your hand soap, scrub as usual, and watch the odors vanish.
7. Cold Water: While hot water is great for opening pores during facials, it won’t help eliminate odors from your skin. Using cold water prevents odor particles from penetrating deeper into your skin.
