Columns

Q. How do I get strong food smells off of my hands after cooking? Sometimes soap and water isn’t enough.  — Hannah, Kaukauna

A. Hannah, this is a common question from many people that have shared this challenge. Many foods like onions, garlic, chives and fish have bold flavors and accompanying aromas that linger on the hands, and even the utensils like cutting boards and knives of those preparing these foods. For example, whenever I prepare gravlax (cured salmon) in my class, it takes a while for me to get the salmon smell off of my knife. Truly, many of today’s hand soaps include active ingredients that do a pretty good job of reducing or eliminating these odors. When they don’t get the job done, a typical solution involves some sort of an acid, specifically citrus. Lemon and orange juices have a way of cutting through these pungent lingering smells. This is why citrus is a common ingredient in many cleaning agents. Other acids like tomato juice and vinegar also can help cut the smells from these aromatic nuisances. I’ve also heard of people using household items like toothpaste and mouthwash to help, and the result is their hands smell minty-fresh.

I hope you find these tips handy, Hanna!