How to Get Rid of the Smell of Garlic

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Love the taste of garlic, but hate the lingering smell? Here are some tips on how to remove the odor of garlic. Choose one that best fits for the condition.

Part 1
Part 1 of 4:

Removing the Smell From Your Hands

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  1. This is one of the most effective ways to eliminate the smell of garlic. [1]
    • Make your own citrus spray by adding the grated rind (peel) of any citrus fruit (e.g. lemon, orange, grapefruit) to hot water. Allow to cool, then strain the water into a spray bottle.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Get Rid of the Smell of Garlic
    In theory, the steel reacts with the sulfur in garlic neutralizing the smell. This works for some and not for others. [2]
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Get Rid of the Smell of Garlic
    Apply soap to your hands and use a clean stainless steel spoon to rub it all over your hands, even in between fingers.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 4:

Removing the Smell From Your Breath

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Get Rid of the Smell of Garlic
    The solution to getting rid of garlic breath isn't as simple as washing your mouth out or brushing your teeth since the garlic smell, isn't just in your mouth.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Get Rid of the Smell of Garlic
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Get Rid of the Smell of Garlic
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Get Rid of the Smell of Garlic
    Meyer lemons are sweet enough to be eaten like fruit. Use homemade lemonade because store-bought lemonades tend to have very little lemon juice in them. [3]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Get Rid of the Smell of Garlic
    Touch all the skin surfaces, including the entire tongue and the sides! Turn the spoon upside down to get your tongue all the way back.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 4:

Removing the Smell From Wood Cutting Boards

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Get Rid of the Smell of Garlic
    • Soak the board in very hot water. Do not allow the board to soak for hours (or overnight) as the board may warp.
    • Squirt undiluted dish detergent on the wet board.
    • Scrub the entire board thoroughly with a scouring pad or brush.
    • Rinse off the board with hot water and leave to dry. A thoroughly well-scrubbed board will not smell when it’s dry.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Get Rid of the Smell of Garlic
    • Rinse off your cutting board.
    • Sprinkle the salt or baking soda on the board. [4]
    • Use half a lemon to rub the salt / soda into the board.
    • Rinse the board and allow to dry thoroughly.
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Part 4
Part 4 of 4:

Removing the Smell From Your Home

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Get Rid of the Smell of Garlic
    If you have extraction fans, turn them on.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Get Rid of the Smell of Garlic
    [5]
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  • Question
    I have garlic on my hair and it really smells bad. How can I get the smell out of my hair?
    Community Answer
    Rinse your hair with a mixture of half water and half apple cider vinegar. Then, wash it as you normally would, but consider using a mentholated shampoo if your normal option doesn't have menthol in it.
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    Not Helpful 10 Helpful 15
  • Question
    If I eat garlic for health reasons and it's in my system, how do I get rid of that smell?
    Community Answer
    Drink milk immediately after ingesting the garlic. It works really well. Use fresh garlic and stay away from pre-cut garlic in oil, as it has oxidized.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 14 Helpful 22
  • Question
    What do mint leaves look like?
    Community Answer
    Do a Google image search.
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      Tips

      • For removing odors, you want baking soda (which is the same as bicarbonate of soda). Baking powder , however, is not the same thing.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/10934990/Garlic-breath-Eat-an-apple-or-drink-lemon-juice.html
      2. ↑ http://theconversation.com/testing-life-hacks-with-citizen-science-does-stainless-steel-really-get-rid-of-garlic-smells-68926
      3. ↑ https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/10934990/Garlic-breath-Eat-an-apple-or-drink-lemon-juice.html
      4. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/remove-unwanted-odors-from-cutting-boards-with-just-one-ingredient-cleaning-tips-from-the-kitchn-218853
      5. ↑ https://www.cooksillustrated.com/how_tos/5510-baking-soda-as-odor-absorber

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To get rid of a lingering garlic smell on your hands, try rubbing your hands with lemon juice or soaking some lemon rind in hot water and spraying your hands with it. Some people also claim that rubbing your hands with stainless steel and soap can help get rid of the smell. If a garlic smell has gotten into a wooden cutting board, soak the board in very hot water long enough to get it thoroughly wet. Squirt the board with dish soap, then scrub it with a scouring pad and rinse and dry it thoroughly. You can also scrub the board with a paste of lemon juice and salt or baking soda. If you need to learn how to get a garlic smell out of other places, keep reading the article!

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