How do I get onion smell off my hands
Rub your wet hands over stainless steel under cold running water for about 30 seconds. A steel spoon, the sink basin or a stainless soap bar can be used. Many people find the onion smell fades noticeably, though results vary; if some remains, repeat once or wash with soap.
How to do it
- Wet your hands under cold running waterLeave the tap running on cold. Cold water is the usual advice for this trick.
- Grab something made of stainless steelA spoon, the sink basin or a stainless steel soap bar all work. Avoid knives or anything with a sharp edge.
- Rub fingers and palms over the steel for 30 secondsMove your hands over the steel as if you were washing with a bar of soap. Focus on the fingertips, where most of the onion juice collects.
- Smell-check, then repeat or washSniff your fingers. If the smell lingers, do a second 30-second round or follow up with regular soap and water.
Questions that come up
Does the stainless steel trick work on garlic smell too?
Many people use the same method for garlic, and some find it helps. Garlic odor tends to be more stubborn than onion, so you may need two rounds or a soap wash afterward. The easiest way to find out is to test it on one hand and compare.
Why would stainless steel remove the smell at all?
The honest answer is that the reason isn't firmly established. A common explanation is that the sulfur compounds from onions interact with the steel surface, but there is little solid research behind it. Treat it as a quick, free thing to try rather than a proven method.
Do I need to buy a stainless steel soap bar?
No. Those bars are just stainless steel in a bar shape, so a spoon or your sink is a fair free test. If the trick helps you and you cook with onions often, a bar is simply more convenient to keep by the tap.
What if it does not work for me?
Results vary, so that is normal. Try washing with soap and cold water, or scrubbing with a little baking soda paste. Next time, wearing thin kitchen gloves while chopping keeps most of the juice off your skin in the first place.
Full transcript
Onion hands? Rub them on stainless steel. Run your hands under cold water, then grab a steel spoon. Rub your fingers over it, or the sink, for thirty seconds. Side by side, the steel hand often smells fainter. Worth thirty seconds.