Get Rid of Garlic Smells

If you cook as much as I do, you’ll know the feeling: you’ve just smashed your way through prepping a garlic-heavy dish like a garlic pizza dough balls or a curry, but you have the garlic smell on your hands.

This post offers some solutions on how to get rid of garlic smells on your hands.

Contents

• How to get rid of garlic smells on your hands
• Why Garlic Smell Sticks (And Why Soap Doesn’t Help)
• How Stainless Steel Soap Works
• How to Use Stainless Steel Soap
• Which Stainless Steel Soap Should You Use?
• Other Handy Tips to Tackle Garlic Smells
• FAQs on getting rid of garlic smells
• In a nutshell
• Your Comments

How to get rid of garlic smells on your hands

Soap and hot water? Nope. Lemon juice? Sort of, but now you smell like lemony garlic instead. The truth is, garlic is stubborn stuff. The compounds that make it so delicious when cooked are the same ones that cling to your skin like a bad houseguest.

But there’s a simple, science-backed trick that works every time: stainless steel soap. Yep, a bit of metal you rub between your hands under cold water and the smell disappears.

Why Garlic Smell Sticks (And Why Soap Doesn’t Help)

Garlic contains sulphur compounds that are released when you chop, crush, or smash it. These compounds bind to the natural oils in your skin, which is why even after three rounds of washing, you still catch that whiff hours later.

Regular soap doesn’t do a great job here because it’s designed to break down fats and dirt, not neutralise sulphur. That’s where stainless steel comes in.

How Stainless Steel Soap Works

When your hands are wet, rubbing them against stainless steel creates a chemical reaction between the metal and the sulphur molecules from garlic. The steel effectively neutralises the compounds, so instead of covering up the smell, it actually removes it.

It sounds like one of those old kitchen myths, but this one’s backed by real chemistry and you just need to ask any chef who preps garlic by the handful. They will tell you it works.

How to Use Stainless Steel Soap

1. Get your hands wet - cold or lukewarm water works best.
2. Grab your stainless steel soap (or even the back of a steel spoon if you’re improvising).
3. Rub it between your palms just like you would with normal soap, making sure to get between your fingers.
4. Rinse, dry, and give your hands a sniff. The garlic smell should be gone.

It’s one of those weird little kitchen hacks that feels like magic the first time you try it.

Which Stainless Steel Soap Should You Use?

You can absolutely use the back of a spoon if you’re in a pinch, but I’ve found that dedicated stainless steel soaps work best. They’re designed with the right shape and surface area to get a good scrub in, and they last forever.

I’ve been using this stainless steel soap (affiliate link) in my kitchen, and it’s been a total game-changer. No more scrubbing endlessly with lemon juice, no more weird vinegar experiments. A quick rub under the tap and you’re good to go.

Other Handy Tips to Tackle Garlic Smells

If you don’t have stainless steel soap handy, there are a few other tricks you can try in the meantime:

• Coffee grounds - rub a small amount between your hands for a natural deodoriser.
• Baking soda paste - mix with water and scrub gently.
• Lemon juice - works in a pinch but can leave your hands smelling citrusy instead.
• Wear disposable gloves - if you’re prepping a garlic-heavy feast, avoid the problem entirely.

But honestly? Once you try stainless steel soap, you won’t bother with the faff again.

FAQs on getting rid of garlic smells

In a nutshell

I find that cooking with garlic is non-negotiable but I don't like the smell on my hands all day. Stainless steel soap is the simplest, most effective fix I’ve found and it’s earned a permanent place in my kitchen.

Also, it makes a great gift for a dad who loves to cook so it can be one for the Christmas list.

If you cook with garlic regularly, I highly recommend grabbing this stainless steel soap (affiliate link). It’s cheap, lasts forever, and honestly, once you’ve used it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t get one sooner.