Although fish is a delicious and healthy food, the smell left behind is usually unpleasant. Whether you process fish while cooking or fishing, the smell can linger on your hands for hours. Fortunately, there are many remedies that come from ingredients at home to get rid of the fishy smell on hands. Make a cleaning solution by mixing vinegar and lemon juice or baking soda and water. In addition, rubbing your hands with toothpaste is also effective. Finally, rubbing your hands against stainless steel utensils can be used to absorb the fishy fresh from the skin. These methods can help get rid of the fishy smell and leave your hands smelling good.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Mixing Lemon Cleansing Liquid and Vinegar
Step 1. Pour 1 cup (250 ml) of vinegar and 1/4 cup (60 ml) of lemon juice into a bowl
Vinegar binds to odors and removes them from the air, while the citric acid in lemon juice neutralizes the smell of ammonia in fish. Mix these two ingredients in a bowl, then add a drop of dish soap. Use a spoon to mix all these ingredients and let it sit for 30 minutes.
- Lemon juice can be squeezed directly or purchased from a store. Both produce the same effect.
- If your skin is sensitive, skip this solution. Diluted vinegar can burn and irritate the skin. If your skin gets irritated easily, consider other solutions.
Step 2. Rub hands with the mixture
After the solution has been left for 30 minutes, put your hands in the bowl and rub. Rub the mixture all over the place it has come into contact with the fish. Also remember to rub between your fingers.
- Do this in the sink area to prevent liquid from spilling onto the counter.
- If you cut your hands, be prepared because this liquid will sting a little.
Step 3. After that, wash your hands with soap and water
After scrubbing your hands with the vinegar and lemon mixture, wash your hands normally. Use soap and warm water, then rinse your hands thoroughly. This can deodorize fish and make hands smell of citrus.
Method 2 of 4: Making Baking Soda Paste
Step 1. Pour 2 tablespoons (28.5 g) of baking soda into a bowl and add 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of water
Baking soda is used in many household cleaning products and air fresheners because of its odor-absorbing properties. Take advantage of this by making baking soda soap for your hands. Start by mixing the baking soda and water with a spoon until it forms a paste.
If the baking soda is still too thick, add a little water. Do not add too much water until it becomes very runny. If it's too runny, the cleaning paste won't stick to your hands and the fishy smell won't go away
Step 2. Rub the paste all over your hands
Rub your hands and spread the baking soda mixture over the areas that have come into contact with the fish. This action allows the baking soda to neutralize the fish odor. Don't forget to rub between your fingers and the back of your hand. After that, let the baking soda paste in your hands for about a minute.
Rub it evenly so that all scales and fish debris can be removed. Any particles left behind can still leave behind an odor
Step 3. Rinse hands with water
After scrubbing your hands with the baking soda paste, rinse your hands under the tap. This will remove any residual baking soda as well as fish odor.
If your hands still feel sticky or you have baking soda left in them, wash them with soap and water as usual
Method 3 of 4: Washing Hands with Toothpaste
Step 1. Wet hands with warm water
Toothpaste is designed to neutralize bacteria and improve breath odor. The same mechanism also helps fight fishy odors. Start by wetting your hands under the faucet. If your hands are still dry, the toothpaste won't be evenly distributed. Rub evenly so that the water spreads to the front and back of the hand.
Step 2. Put some toothpaste on your hands and rub
You can use as much toothpaste as you use to brush your teeth. Rub toothpaste all over the front and back of your hands. If a part of your body other than your hands, such as your arms, also comes into contact with the fish, rub toothpaste on that area.
- Any type of toothpaste can be used for this method because this product is designed to remove bacteria from teeth. The same mechanism can also remove fishy fish bacteria from the skin.
- For best results, use a toothpaste that contains baking soda. Baking soda naturally deodorizes, so this combination will work well for deodorizing fish.
Step 3. Sprinkle toothpaste with warm water, After applying toothpaste evenly all over your hands, rinse with warm water
Rinse thoroughly so that no residue feels sticky. The fish smell is gone and hands have a fresh new minty scent.
If your hands still feel sticky or wet after brushing with toothpaste, wash your hands normally with soap and water
Method 4 of 4: Rubbing Hands on Stainless Steel Tools
Step 1. Rinse hands with water
Stainless steel can absorb fishy odors, but cannot remove fish fibers. Start by rinsing your hands under the tap to remove any remaining pieces or lint from the fish.
While some say hot or cold water is more effective at removing odors, there is no official difference between the two. Make sure you wash your hands with clean, running water
Step 2. Rub hands on stainless steel faucet for one minute
There is a theory that certain molecules in stainless steel bind to odor molecules and reduce odors. Rub your hands on a faucet or other stainless steel appliance in the kitchen. Remember to rub the front and back of your hands against the steel so all odors are absorbed.
There are also special stainless steel rods designed to eliminate odors. If you don't have a stainless steel faucet at home, you can try ordering one. But remember that the price can be very expensive up to IDR 400,000
Step 3. Wash hands with soap and water normally
After scrubbing your hands on stainless steel, remove any fish lint residue by washing your hands thoroughly. When finished, rinse your hands thoroughly.
- Clean the faucet well after scrubbing your hands. Although stainless steel absorbs odors, fish residue left behind can start to smell again. When you're done washing your hands, use a cleaning cloth to clean the faucet.
- If then the faucet still smells, try one of the other methods for removing fish odor described above.
