How to Remove Onion Smell

I love onions. I love the way they taste when they’re sauteed and mixed with other vegetables. I love spring onions rubbed in salt and eaten raw. And I love onions diced into tiny little rectangles and placed nicely across a well-done cheeseburger.

But I hate the way they make my hands smell.

When I cut an onion and the juices touch my hands, I can smell it for days.I’ll be washing my face in the morning and catch a whiff that will turn my stomach. My eyes will water as I take my contacts in and out. In the shower I can still smell the onion as my hands move past my face to wash my hair.

Did you know that there’s a quick and easy way to remove that smell from your hands immediately after cutting the onion? Luckily, I remember it last night as I prepared tortellini and vegetables for my family!

Instead of washing your hands in soap and water, grab your salt shaker – yes, your salt shaker! – and wash your hands with salt and then warm water. It removes the smell completely with just a palm full of salt.

A couple of other favorite in the kitchen tips are:

  • Clean your fruit and veggies by spritzing lemon juice and rubbing lightly – removes the waxy coating.
  • If you’re disinfecting your preparation service, don’t follow with a dry cloth for 2 minutes post application of product or you may not kill all of the germs!
  • When you’re cleaning the kitchen sink, begin by pouring some baking soda down the drain – kills that icky sink smell.

This post was originally published on April 2, 2009

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3 Comments

  • love these! having just cooked chicken paprikash I can really appreciate the onion one. thanks 🙂

  • I never knew this! I use lemon but will definitely try the salt. I use onions all the time, especially red onion.

    I mix lemon and baking soda to wash vegetables and fruit with.

  • Oh! I am going to try the salt! My biggest problem is crying with a knife in my hand. I need Onion Goggles for Christmas!