How To Get Onion Smell Off Hands: 7 Easy Tricks

Earlier this evening, you were managing your dinner prep when the onions began to cause an overwhelming smell.

You know the struggle of trying to balance cooking and cleaning up with a family full of other kids and a house full of animals.

Luckily, there are some easy tricks you can use in order to get rid of that lingering onion smell from your hands. This blog will provide you with 7 different methods that will help reduce the smell in onion fingers.

Why Do My Hands Smell Like Onions Days Later?

There are a few possible reasons why your hands might smell like onions even after washing them:

1. You have absorbed the onion oils into your skin: Onions contain volatile oils that can be absorbed into the skin. These oils can remain on the skin even after washing and can continue to release their odor for several days.

2. You are not washing your hands thoroughly: Make sure to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, paying special attention to the areas between your fingers and under your nails.

3. You are using a soap that is not effective at removing the onion smell: Some soaps may not be as effective at removing the odor of onions as others. You may want to try using a soap specifically designed to remove strong odors or use a mixture of baking soda and water as a natural hand scrub.

4. You are handling other pungent foods: If you are handling other strong-smelling foods, such as garlic or fish, the smell of onions may be lingering on your hands along with the other odors.

5. You have a medical condition: In rare cases, a persistent smell of onions on the skin can be a sign of a medical condition called chromhidrosis. This condition causes the sweat glands to produce colored sweat that has a strong odor, often described as smelling like onions or stale beer. If you are experiencing this symptom and it persists despite washing your hands and using different soaps, you may want to consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation.

How to get rid of onion smell from hands

How To Get Onion Smell Off Hands: 7 Easy Tricks

Here are 7 easy tricks you can try to get rid of the onion smell on your hands:

1. Wash Your Hands Thoroughly With Soap And Water

Be sure to scrub your hands thoroughly, paying special attention to the areas between your fingers and under your nails.

2. Use A Soap That Is Specifically Designed To Remove Strong Odors

Some soaps are formulated with effective ingredients that remove strong odors, such as those found in onions.

3. Rub Your Hands With A Stainless Steel Object

Rubbing your hands with a stainless steel object, such as a spoon or a bar of stainless steel soap, can help to remove the odor of onions from your skin.

4. Use Baking Soda To Scrub Your Hands

Mix a small amount of baking soda with water to create a paste, and use it to scrub your hands. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that can help to neutralize the smell of onions.

5. Rinse Your Hands With Vinegar

Vinegar is a natural deodorizer that can help to neutralize the smell of onions. Rinse your hands with a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water, or rub a small amount of vinegar onto your hands.

6 . Use Lemon Juice Or Rubbing Alcohol

Both lemon juice and rubbing alcohol can help to remove the odor of onions from your hands. Rub a small amount of either substance onto your hands, and then rinse with water.

7. Avoid Handling Pungent Foods

If you are handling other strong-smelling foods, such as garlic or fish, the smell of onions may be lingering on your hands along with the other odors. Try to avoid handling these types of foods for a while to see if the onion smell disappears.

How To Get Onion Smell Off Hands
How To Get Onion Smell Off Hands

How Do You Get Rid Of Onion Smell Fast?

If you are in a rush to get rid of that onion smell, there are a few other tricks you can try.

1. Take A Bunch Of Fresh Parsley, And Rub It On Your Hands

Rubbing fresh parsley on your hands is a great way to remove the odor of onions and several other strong odors as well.

2. Rub Your Hands With Raw Potatoes

The cells in raw potatoes contain chemicals called allyl sulfides that have odor-fighting properties. Rubbing raw potatoes on your hands will help remove the odor of onions and many other strong odors.

3. Rub Your Hands On A Piece Of Wood

Rubbing your hands on a wooden object can help remove the odor of onions and several other strong odors. Try rubbing your hands up and down a piece of wood until the smell subsides.

4. Put Some Baking Soda In A Ziplock Bag, And Put Your Hands Inside To Neutralize Odors

Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that can help to neutralize the smell of onions. Put some baking soda in a small ziplock bag and place your hands inside for about 30 minutes to neutralize any lingering odors.

5. Rubbing Alcohol Is A Natural Deodorizer

Rubbing alcohol is a great way to remove the odor of onions and many other strong odors. 

Which Methods Work Best?

Based on the above tips, it appears that washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water is your best bet for getting rid of the onion smell.

If you fail to wash your hands thoroughly, you risk the onion odor returning again and again. Once your skin has absorbed the onion oil, it can take several days to get rid of it completely.

If a soap fails to remove the odor completely, try using a combination of baking soda and water instead (or even better – make your own natural hand scrub ).

How Long Does Onion Smell Last On Hands?

The length of time that the onion smell will last on your hands can vary depending on a number of factors, including how thoroughly you wash your hands, the type of soap you use, and the number of onion oils that have been absorbed into your skin.

The onion smell should generally dissipate within a few hours to a day after washing your hands. However, the smell may persist for longer if you have handled a large amount of onions or have not washed your hands thoroughly.

If the onion smell persists despite washing your hands and using different soaps, it is possible that you have absorbed the onion oils into your skin. In this case, the smell may continue to be released for several days.

Conclusion

It is important to be able to recognize the early signs of the onion smell on your hands, as there is no way for you to remove the smell once it has been absorbed into your skin.

If you are experiencing this type of problem and have tried all of the ways listed in this article, consider consulting a healthcare professional for further evaluation.

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Author & Recipe Developer at Naznin's Kitchen
Hello! I'm Naznin Aktar, the food enthusiast and recipe developer at Naznin's Kitchen. Want to turn everyday ingredients into extraordinary dishes? Explore Naznin's Kitchen for a collection of recipes that are sure to inspire your inner chef and delight your loved ones.
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