The 10 Best Ways to Get Rid of Garlic Smell on Your Hands

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Garlic smells delicious when you add it to your meal, but not so much when the odor lingers on your hand for a few days. If you don't want to deal with smelly garlic hands after you get done cooking, there are a ton of things you have at home that can make the odors disappear. Keep reading for the best ways to completely get rid of the garlic smell so your hands are fresh and clean!

1

Salt and baking soda

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8a\/Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8a\/Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Add 1 teaspoon (6 g) of salt and 2 tablespoons (10 g) of baking soda into a bowl. Slowly add water until you make a thick paste. Scrub the paste into your hands, focusing on the areas that are the smelliest. Then, just rinse off the paste with soapy water. [1]
    • Baking soda is a natural deodorizer and salt exfoliates your skin to get rid of deep odors.
    • Salt could sting if you have any open cuts or dry skin on your hands.
    2. Advertisement
2

Lemon and salt

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/40\/Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-2-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-2-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/40\/Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-2-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-2-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can use bottled lemon juice or juice a fresh lemon since the acid neutralizes the odor from your hands. Sprinkle a pinch of salt on your hands and pour on the lemon juice. Scrub your hands vigorously until you completely get rid of the garlic smell. [2]
    • Be careful using lemon juice if you have cuts or dry skin since it may sting.
3

Stainless steel

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9d\/Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-3-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-3-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9d\/Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-3-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-3-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Take any stainless steel utensil like a spoon or a butter knife, and hold it underneath cold running water. Rub the utensil over your hands vigorously for a few minutes before checking if the smell disappeared. [3]
    • If you have a stainless steel sink, you can rub your hands on it instead of using a utensil.
    • You can get a stainless steel soap bar to keep near your kitchen sink whenever you work with garlic or other smelly ingredients.
    • Cold water helps shrink your pores so the odors don’t get caught or stick around.
    2. Advertisement
4

Coffee

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/04\/Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-4-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-4-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/04\/Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-4-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-4-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can use coffee grounds or instant coffee to get the smell off your hands . Sprinkle the coffee on your hands and wet them underneath some water. Rub the coffee into your skin on your fingertips and palms. Check if the garlic smell is gone a few times while you’re scrubbing your hands to make sure the odor goes away completely. Rinse your hands with clean water when you’re finished. [4]
5

Vinegar

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/71\/Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-5-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-5-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/71\/Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-5-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-5-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Splash some white vinegar on your hands and rub it into your skin. Really scrub the tips of your fingers since that’s usually where the garlic is the smelliest. Rinse the vinegar off your hands and dry them. [5]
    • Your hands might smell a little like vinegar right after you clean them, but the smell will go away after a few minutes. If the smell bothers you, wash your hands with soap and water.
    2. Advertisement
6

Tomato juice

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fa\/Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-6-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-6-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fa\/Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-6-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-6-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Cut a slice of fresh tomato or open a can of tomato juice and run it on your skin. Scrub your hands really well to mask the garlic smell and draw it out of your skin.
7

Mouthwash

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a9\/Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-7-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-7-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a9\/Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-7-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-7-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Splash the mouthwash onto your hands and rub it into your skin. Scrub your hands really well and add more mouthwash if you can still smell garlic. Just rinse the mouthwash off of your hands with soapy water so they aren’t sticky when you’re finished. [6]
    2. Advertisement
8

Toothpaste

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/31\/Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-8-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-8-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/31\/Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-8-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-8-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Use a white toothpaste that has added baking soda so it’s more effective. Wet the toothpaste with some water and rub it between your fingers to remove the smell of garlic from your hands. Then just wash your hands with soapy water to clean off the toothpaste. [7]
9

Hand sanitizer

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/91\/Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-9-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-9-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/91\/Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-9-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-9-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Squirt a coin-sized amount of hand sanitizer on your hands and rub it in completely. The sanitizer will cover the smell of the garlic so it’s not noticeable. It may not remove the odor entirely, so reapply sanitizer if you notice a smell again. [8]
    2. Advertisement
10

Perfume or cologne

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/30\/Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-10-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-10-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/30\/Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-10-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Remove-Garlic-Smell-from-Your-Hands-Step-10-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you’re in a rush and can still smell garlic on your hands, spritz the cologne or spray perfume on your wrists and rub it in. If the scent of the perfume or cologne starts to go away, just reapply a small spritz.
    • If you’re going to be touching other food, avoid using perfume or cologne since the smell could transfer to the food and leave an unpleasant taste.

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Chop Garlic
      How to
      Make Black Garlic
      How to
      Make Garlic Oil
      How to
      Eat Pickled Garlic
      How to
      Grow Garlic in Water
      How to
      Sauté Garlic
      How to
      Braid Garlic
      How to
      Make Garlic Cream Sauce
      How to
      Store Ginger Garlic Paste
      How to
      Eat Raw Garlic
      The Best Ways to Store Fresh Garlic So It Stays Strong
      How to
      Cook Garlic
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/best-method-garlic-smells-off-hands-23020763
      2. ↑ https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/publications/garden-table-garlic
      3. ↑ https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/publications/garden-table-garlic
      4. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/help-how-to-get-that-pesky-garlic-smell-off-hands-198025
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/iF9uZeKV29c?t=47
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/iF9uZeKV29c?t=15
      7. ↑ https://www.uwyo.edu/barnbackyard/_files/documents/magazine/2013/fall/092013bbgarlicculinary.pdf
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/hVi5Q4MfYI4?t=64
      9. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-use-latex-gloves-to-protect-hands-in-the-kitchen-article
      1. ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/how-to-mince-chop-garlic-microplane-vs-garlic-press

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 48,838 times.
      If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission .

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement