Homekitchenmagazine.com | We’ve all been there—enjoying a day of fishing or preparing a seafood feast, only to be left with that persistent fishy smell on our hands. It can be incredibly frustrating and even embarrassing.
Luckily, there’s no need to worry. The best way to get rid of fishy smell on hands involves using simple and effective methods that you probably already have at home.
Imagine preparing a delicious seafood dinner without worrying about lingering odors. With these tried-and-true techniques, you can ensure that your hands stay fresh and clean, no matter how much fish you handle. Let’s dive into the best solutions to banish that fishy smell once and for all.
Fishy smell generally comes from fish or meat. In addition to cutlery and cooking utensils, fishy odor often sticks to the hands and is difficult to remove with soap and water only.
When this happens, how to get rid of fishy odor in the hands with natural ingredients can be used as a solution.
Fish can give off a fishy smell that is more pungent after being kil**led. In this condition, there are bacteria and fish enzymes that convert Trimethylamine Oxide (TMAO) into Trimethylamine (TMA). Well, how to get rid of fishy odor in hand with this natural ingredient can make TMA bind water and make it unstable.
Best Way To Get Rid of Fishy Smell on Hands
Use toothpaste
This trick is recommended by seafood restaurant experts.
After processing the fish, smear the hands with toothpaste and rub the hands whole, from the palms and backs of the hands. Then rinse with warm water. The hands will smell fresher.
Wash your hands with cold water first
Wash your hands with cold water first is The Best Way To Get Rid of Fishy Smell on Hands.
If you choose to wash your fishy hands with warm water first, that’s a big mistake. Such a way will precisely make the fishy smell on the hands stronger.
The correct way is to wash your hands with cold water first, then wash your hands with warm soapy water. This way will successfully eliminate the smell attached to the hands.
Cold Water and Vinegar
Wash your hands with cold water and vinegar. Pay extra attention to your fingers and fingernails, where the smell tends to linger. Vinegar’s acidity neutralizes the fishy odor effectively.
Wipe hands into stainless steel sink
This might sound strange, but rubbing your hands on stainless steel can actually help remove fishy odors. The science behind this involves the sulfur molecules in the fish odor binding to the steel, effectively removing the smell from your hands.
- Find a Stainless Steel Object: Use a stainless steel spoon, faucet, or any other stainless steel item in your kitchen.
- Rub and Rinse: Rub your hands on the stainless steel under running water for about a minute.
This method works surprisingly well and is a handy trick to know.
Charcoal Powder
Using charcoal powder is The Best Way To Get Rid of Fishy Smell on Hands.
Charcoal powder is effectively used to eliminate fishy odors on the hands. This way has been proven since ancient times. In addition to being applied to hands, charcoal powder can also eliminate fishy odors in cutting boards, knives, and cutlery.
Its application is very easy, it is only necessary to prepare charcoal powder to taste. Then, grease the hands or parts that have a fishy aroma until smooth.
Rub gently for about five minutes or until the fishy smell is no longer smelled. If it feels like the fishy smell is gone, rinse with clean water that has been mixed with dish soap.
Use orange juice
This method is effective to eliminate fishy odors on the hands. Usually, the orange used is lime or lemon, because both types of oranges have a sharp fragrance so that it can mask the fishy smell on the hands. However, it is recommended that you keep washing your hands with soap first, then wash them again using lemon juice.
Using salt
In addition to cooking, salt is usually used to soak the feet when relaxing sore feet. However, salt also has benefits to eliminate the fishy smell attached to the hands. But the way used to eliminate fishy odor on the hands is different from the smell of the feet.
You do not need to soak your hands in salt water. Just take a spoonful of salt, rub it in the palm, then rinse with water and hand soap.
Read also:
How To Eliminate Odor When Cooking Fish
Basil Leaves
Basil leaves are a type of fresh vegetables that is delicious eaten with a variety of seafood. What does basil smell like? The smell is fragrant and can make the mouth not smell pungent because of the fish and chili sauce. In addition to making the mouth smell good, basil can be used in fishy hands.
It is only necessary to rub the basil on the hands evenly, then rinse with soap and clean water. Likewise, on knives and cutlery that smell fishy. You can use basil to wash by rubbing basil leaves until the fishy smell disappears.
If it still has not disappeared, soak this tool in water that has been mixed with basil leaves for 10-20 minutes. Then do not forget to rinse with clean water.
Baking Soda: The Odor Neutralizer
Baking soda is another fantastic remedy for getting rid of fishy smell on hands. Its alkaline properties make it an effective odor neutralizer.
- Make a Paste: Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with a little water to create a paste.
- Rub and Rinse: Apply the paste to your hands, rub them together for about a minute, and then rinse thoroughly with water.
The baking soda will absorb and neutralize the fishy smell, leaving your hands odor-free.
Lemon Juice and Baking Soda
Lemon juice, with its natural citric acid, breaks down odor molecules. Combine it with a pinch of baking soda (or even toothpaste) for a gentle scrub. Apply to wet hands and massage thoroughly. Rinse for instantly refreshed skin.
Lemon and Vinegar: Natural Deodorizers
One of the best ways to get rid of fishy smell on hands is by using lemon and vinegar. These natural deodorizers are not only effective but also easy to find in any kitchen.
Lemon: The acidic nature of lemon juice neutralizes the fishy odor. Simply squeeze the juice of a lemon onto your hands, rub them together thoroughly, and rinse with water. The fresh citrus scent will replace the unpleasant fishy smell.
Vinegar: Similar to lemon, vinegar’s acidity helps break down odor-causing compounds. Pour a small amount of white vinegar onto your hands, rub them together, and rinse. Your hands will be left smelling fresh and clean.
Coffee Grounds: The Surprising Solution
It might come as a surprise, but coffee grounds are excellent at removing stubborn odors from your hands.
- Use Fresh Grounds: After brewing your coffee, save the used coffee grounds.
- Rub and Rinse: Take a handful of the coffee grounds, rub them over your hands for about a minute, and then rinse with water.
The coarse texture helps exfoliate your skin while the coffee absorbs and masks the fishy smell.
Mustard Powder: An Unexpected Hero
Mustard powder can be an unexpected but effective way to remove fishy smells from your hands.
- Make a Paste: Mix mustard powder with a little water to create a paste.
- Rub and Rinse: Apply the paste to your hands, rub for about a minute, and rinse with water.
Mustard powder works similarly to baking soda by neutralizing odors.
FAQ
Why do my hands smell fishy after handling fish?
Fish contain sulfur compounds that transfer to your skin. Our methods will help you combat this common issue.
How does lemon juice help remove fishy smell from hands?
Lemon juice is acidic and helps to neutralize the alkaline compounds in fish that cause the unpleasant odor, leaving your hands smelling fresh.
Can vinegar really get rid of fishy odors on hands?
Yes, vinegar’s acidic nature effectively breaks down odor-causing compounds, making it a great solution for eliminating fishy smells from hands.
Wrap Up
Finding the best way to get rid of fishy smell on hands doesn’t have to be a challenge. By using household items like lemon, vinegar, baking soda, coffee grounds, stainless steel, toothpaste, and mustard powder, you can effectively and easily eliminate those stubborn odors.
These methods are simple, cost-effective, and highly effective, ensuring your hands remain fresh and clean after handling fish. Give these solutions a try, and you’ll never have to worry about that fishy smell lingering on your hands again.