How to Eliminate Onion Smell from Hands: our Foolproof Tips

If chopping onions is a regular part of your meal prep routine, then you’re likely no stranger to the lingering smell that seems to cling stubbornly to your hands. No amount of soap and warm water seems capable of entirely ridding your skin of this pungent scent. But fear not ! With a few foolproof tricks up your sleeve, even the most tenacious onion odors can be banished from your palms and fingers.

Why Your Hands Retain the Smell of Onion

The Science Behind the Smell

The reason onions leave such a potent aroma on your hands is due to the presence of sulfur compounds in these bulbous vegetables. When an onion is cut or crushed, it triggers a chemical reaction that releases these volatile compounds into the air – and onto your hands.

Your Skin’s Role

Due to its porous nature, our skin absorbs these sulfur compounds easily, trapping them in its layers. This makes it especially challenging to remove them merely by washing with soap and water.

Now that we understand why our hands can smell like an onion cutting marathon even hours after cooking, let’s explore some surefire ways to eliminate this odor.

Say Goodbye to Stubborn Smells with Stainless Steel

The Power of Redox Reaction

Rubbing your fingers vigorously under cold water with a stainless steel kitchen utensil, such as a spoon or fork, can help eliminate bad odors (Marmiton). This effect results from a chemical reaction called « redox » or oxidation-reduction. Essentially, the molecules contributing to the unpleasant smell are attracted to the stainless steel and are neutralized when they come into contact.

But besides using stainless steel items you might have handy in your kitchen drawer, there’s another household item that can do wonders when it comes to tackling onion odors.

Baking Soda: an Ally Against Unpleasant Smells

The Natural Odor Neutralizer

After chopping up garlic or onion, apply a teaspoon of baking soda to your hands and rub them together. This method helps remove foul-smelling particles naturally (DNA, 2023/01/05). Baking soda, with its alkaline nature and mild abrasiveness, effectively neutralizes the sulfur compounds and scrubs them off your skin.

The Citrus Method for Fresh Hands

Freshness of Lemons

Just as lemon juice can freshen up many a dish in the culinary world, it can also act as a powerful tool against onion smell. Simply rubbing a slice of lemon on your hands can break down the stubborn odor-causing molecules.

If you have run out of lemons, not to worry; there’s an everyday bathroom staple that might surprise you with its odor-fighting capability.

Utilizing Toothpaste to Neutralize Onion Odors

A Minty Solution

Toothpaste is often recommended for removing persistent food odors from hands. Its fresh scent and abrasive texture work effectively to scrub away lingering odors.

Yet how does this method compare to using vinegar or lemon juice ?

Vinegar or Lemon Juice: which is Best ?

An Acidic Showdown

Both vinegar and lemon juice are highly acidic substances and can successfully eliminate strong smells by breaking down sulfur compounds. However, opting between these two might be simply a matter of personal preference or availability.

All these tricks and tips should help you keep your hands odor-free, even after handling the most pungent of onions. And remember, while these methods might differ in ingredients and approach, they all share a common goal: to ensure your hands smell as fresh as possible, regardless of what you’ve been chopping.