What are Shower Onions? An In-Depth Guide on TikTok’s Latest Trend

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Why to put onions in your bathroom, according to Gen Z
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Heard about “shower onions” on TikTok and wondering what it means? This term refers to a viral trend that’s causing confusion (and chaos) on the Internet, and yes, it actually involves showers and onions! In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about shower onions, including what they are and how to use them.

Things You Should Know

  • The term “shower onions” refers to the TikTok trend of keeping onions in your bathroom.
  • Shower onions are used to absorb unpleasant odors in a room, especially in areas with poor ventilation or no windows.
  • To try this trend yourself, peel and slice an onion in half, then leave it in any room you like for at least 8-10 hours before tossing it in the trash.
Section 1 of 3:

What are shower onions?

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    In the now-viral video, TikTok user Karalynn Dunton (@karalynndunton) is inspecting the bathroom of a guy she met on Tinder. She pans to normal items like soap and lotion, before casually highlighting his shower onions—a bowl filled with onions resting on top of the toilet. She quickly zooms into dental floss, then acts lovestruck that “he even has shallots.” [1]
    • Many TikTok users were baffled by the video because Karalynn makes shower onions seem like a bathroom necessity, but other users explained that they act as deodorizers.
    • In an interview with BuzzFeed, Karalynn said she wanted to create a parody of videos filmed in the bedrooms of guys that girls are starting to catch feelings for, which are used to find out whether the guy has slept with other girls they (by seeing if they recognize his room). [2]
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Section 2 of 3:

What's the point of putting onions in the shower?

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    Similar to leaving a sliced lemon in a room, a sliced onion acts as a natural deodorizer to absorb odors, especially in areas with poor ventilation or no windows. Many people place them around their toilets to prevent (or neutralize) unpleasant smells, but you can leave them in any room in the house. [3]
    • In the 1500s, people believed that putting onions around the home could protect them from the bubonic plague, and today, many people swear that leaving an onion in the bedroom can prevent cough, although these claims are not scientifically proven. [4]
Section 3 of 3:

How to Use Shower Onions

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    Remove the papery skin from the onion, then stand it on its root end. Using a sharp knife, slice the onion in half lengthwise, from the top towards the root end. Peel away any remaining skin so the flesh is visible. [5]
    • You can use any onion you like—red, yellow, or white. They work the same to absorb odors.
    • Alternatively, leave a sliced lemon or a cup of coffee grinds in the room to absorb odors.
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    Place the sliced on a small dish, tray, or paper towel with the sliced side facing up. Leave it in the bathroom, or any room that tends to stink or has poor ventilation. [6]
    • If you have pets or small children, place the onion out of reach so they don’t accidentally eat it.
    • Onions also repel insects because they contain sulfur, so consider placing them around doors, windows, or any areas that have cracks. [7]
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    Wait at least 8-10 hours before removing the onion and tossing it in the trash. The onion will have absorbed most (if not all) of the scent, but you can leave it in the room for up to 2 days. [8]
    • Make sure you throw away your shower onion and do not use it for cooking.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.utilitarian.net/shower-onions/
      2. ↑ https://www.buzzfeed.com/farrahpenn/shower-onions
      3. ↑ https://www.utilitarian.net/shower-onions/
      4. ↑ https://www.onions-usa.org/tips-onion-myths-faqs/onions-flu/
      5. ↑ https://www.utilitarian.net/shower-onions/
      6. ↑ https://www.utilitarian.net/shower-onions/
      7. ↑ https://www.bughousepestcontrol.com/5-foods-that-repel-bugs/
      8. ↑ https://www.utilitarian.net/shower-onions/

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