PRO Courses Hot Guides Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade
QUIZZES All Quizzes Hot Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Trivia Quizzes Taylor Swift Quizzes
EDIT Edit this Article
EXPLORE Tech Help ProAbout UsRandom ArticleQuizzes Request a New ArticleCommunity DashboardTrendingForums Arts and EntertainmentArtworkBooksMoviesComputers and ElectronicsComputersPhone SkillsTechnology HacksHealthMen's HealthMental HealthWomen's HealthRelationshipsDatingLoveRelationship Issues Hobbies and CraftsCraftsDrawingGamesEducation & CommunicationCommunication SkillsPersonal DevelopmentStudyingPersonal Care and StyleFashionHair CarePersonal Hygiene Quizzes Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Fun Games Arts and EntertainmentFinance and BusinessHome and GardenRelationship Quizzes Cars & Other VehiclesFood and EntertainingPersonal Care and StyleSports and Fitness Computers and ElectronicsHealthPets and AnimalsTravel Education & CommunicationHobbies and CraftsPhilosophy and ReligionWork World Family LifeHolidays and TraditionsRelationshipsYouth
LOG IN
Log in
Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. FacebookGooglewikiHow Account No account yet? Create an account
RANDOM
Home
Random
Browse Articles
TrendingNew
Quizzes & Games
All QuizzesHot
Love Quizzes
Personality Quizzes
Fun Games
Dating Simulator
Learn Something New
Forums
Courses
Happiness Hub
Explore More
Support wikiHow
About wikiHow
Log in / Sign up
Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow
Categories
Food and Entertaining
Herbs and Spices
Garlic
The 10 Best Ways to Get Rid of Garlic Smell on Your Hands Download ArticleExplore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 Salt and baking soda 2 Lemon and salt 3 Stainless steel 4 Coffee 5 Vinegar 6 Tomato juice 7 Mouthwash 8 Toothpaste 9 Hand sanitizer 10 Perfume or cologne + Show 7 more... - Show less... Other Sections Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Co-authored by Jerran Boyer and Hunter Rising
Last Updated: April 18, 2025 References
Download Article X
This article was co-authored by Jerran Boyer and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Chef Jerran Boyer is a Nutrition-Focused Professional Chef and the CEO of Health Nut Chefs. Chef Jerran has over 20 years of experience as a private chef. She and her team specialize in providing healthy, fresh-prepared meals designed with each client’s taste and dietary needs in mind. She and her team offer both personal, part-time chef services and private, full-time chef services in New York, New Jersey, and the Los Angeles area. Chef Jerran received her BS in Business Administration from the University of South Florida, a degree in Culinary Arts from Florida Culinary Institute, and a Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate through Cornell University. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 53,299 times.
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!
Steps
1
Salt and baking soda
Download Article
A salt and baking soda scrub absorbs the garlic smell from your hands. 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]XResearch source
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.
Advertisement 2
Lemon and salt
Download Article
The fresh citrus scent helps cover and eliminate smelly garlic.[2]X Expert Source Jerran BoyerNutrition-Focused Professional ChefExpert Interview 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.[3]XResearch source
Be careful using lemon juice if you have cuts or dry skin since it may sting.
3
Stainless steel
Download Article
Stainless steel bonds with the molecules that cause lingering garlic odor. 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.[4]XResearch source
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.
Advertisement 4
Coffee
Download Article
Coffee masks the garlic and acts as an odor absorber. 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.[5]XResearch source
5
Vinegar
Download Article
The acid in vinegar cleans and naturally deodorizes garlic smells. 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.[6]XResearch source
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.
Advertisement 6
Tomato juice
Download Article
Tomato juice is a classic way to get strong odors off your skin. 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
Download Article
The minty smell of mouthwash helps get rid of the garlic smell. 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.[7]XResearch source
You can use mouthwash to get rid of garlic breath too.
Advertisement 8
Toothpaste
Download Article
Toothpaste covers the smell and scrubs your skin. 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.[8]XResearch source
9
Hand sanitizer
Download Article
A scented sanitizer could help kill and mask the odors. 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.[9]XResearch source
Advertisement 10
Perfume or cologne
Download Article
Perfume or cologne works as a last resort to mask the odor. 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
Search Add New Question Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement
Tips
Put on a pair of disposable gloves before you start working with garlic so the smell doesn’t get on your hands in the first place.[10]XResearch source [11]X Expert Source Jerran BoyerNutrition-Focused Professional ChefExpert InterviewThanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Crush the garlic with the side of a knife or a garlic press to break it apart without touching it.[12]XResearch sourceThanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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 Get Rid of Stinky Hands: Garlic, Fish, Gasoline, Skunks, Bleach & MoreHow to Remove the Smell of Garlic from Your Breath, Hands & Home12 Tips for Eliminating the Onions Smell Off Your HandsHow to Get Rid of Onion Smell: In Your House or On Your HandsHow toGet Fish Smell off Your HandsHow toRemove the Smell of Bleach from Your HandsHow toGet the Smell of Gasoline Off Your Hands4 Easy Ways to Get Rid of Onion and Garlic BreathHow to Get Rid of Odors from Metal11 Easy Ways to Get Rid of Alcohol BreathHow toGet Stain Off Your HandsHow to Get Smells Out of Plastic TupperwareHow toGet Rid of Bleach SmellHow to Remove Mothball Odors from Clothes, Furniture, & More Advertisement
Co-authored by: Jerran Boyer Nutrition-Focused Professional Chef This article was co-authored by Jerran Boyer and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Chef Jerran Boyer is a Nutrition-Focused Professional Chef and the CEO of Health Nut Chefs. Chef Jerran has over 20 years of experience as a private chef. She and her team specialize in providing healthy, fresh-prepared meals designed with each client’s taste and dietary needs in mind. She and her team offer both personal, part-time chef services and private, full-time chef services in New York, New Jersey, and the Los Angeles area. Chef Jerran received her BS in Business Administration from the University of South Florida, a degree in Culinary Arts from Florida Culinary Institute, and a Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate through Cornell University. This article has been viewed 53,299 times. 16 votes - 78% Co-authors: 8Updated: April 18, 2025 Views: 53,299 Categories: Garlic In other languages Portuguese German
Print
Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 53,299 times. If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.
Did this article help you?
Yes No Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Jerran Boyer Nutrition-Focused Professional Chef 16 votes - 78% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 8Updated: April 18, 2025 Views: 53,299
Quizzes & Games
Do I Smell Bad QuizTake QuizWhat Perfume Note Am I QuizTake QuizWhat Type of Hands Do I Have QuizTake QuizHow Disgusting Am I QuizTake QuizWhat Food Am I QuizTake QuizWhat Should I Eat for Dinner QuizTake Quiz
You Might Also Like
How to Get Rid of Stinky Hands: Garlic, Fish, Gasoline, Skunks, Bleach & MoreHow to Remove the Smell of Garlic from Your Breath, Hands & Home12 Tips for Eliminating the Onions Smell Off Your HandsHow to Get Rid of Onion Smell: In Your House or On Your Hands
Trending Articles
Answer These Questions, And We'll Judge YouMental Illness TestGuess My Age QuizWhat Emojis Mean Sex?How Sexual Am I Quiz5 Different Types of Butts: Find Your Shape
Watch Articles
How toImpress a Girl on a First DateWhat Are Tear Burns on TikTok and What Causes Them?How toWear a HoodieHow toChiffonadeHow toMake a Fabric RoseHow toConfront a Bully
Trending Articles
What Would My Nickname Be QuizWhat's My Hottest Feature QuizHow Weird Am I QuizWhat 16 of the Most Common Hugs MeanHow toKiss Passionately210+ Shower Thoughts: Funny, Deep, Weird & Mind-Blowing
Quizzes & Games
What Dirty Soda Am I QuizTake QuizWhat Skin Type Do I Have QuizTake QuizAm I a Good Kisser QuizTake QuizWhat Should I Bake QuizTake QuizWhat Color Should I Paint My Nails QuizTake QuizAm I Mean QuizTake Quiz
Categories
Food and Entertaining
Herbs and Spices
Garlic
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
Home
About wikiHow
Experts
Jobs
Contact Us
Site Map
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Do Not Sell or Share My Info
Not Selling Info
Contribute
Follow Us
×
wikiHow Tech Help Pro:
Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve
Download Article Explore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 Salt and baking soda 2 Lemon and salt 3 Stainless steel 4 Coffee 5 Vinegar 6 Tomato juice 7 Mouthwash 8 Toothpaste 9 Hand sanitizer 10 Perfume or cologne + Show 7 more... - Show less... Other Sections Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Co-authored by Jerran Boyer and Hunter Rising 
12 Tips for Eliminating the Onions Smell Off Your Hands 
How to Get Rid of Odors from Metal 
Advertisement 
Co-authored by: Jerran Boyer Nutrition-Focused Professional Chef This article was co-authored by Jerran Boyer and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Chef Jerran Boyer is a Nutrition-Focused Professional Chef and the CEO of Health Nut Chefs. Chef Jerran has over 20 years of experience as a private chef. She and her team specialize in providing healthy, fresh-prepared meals designed with each client’s taste and dietary needs in mind. She and her team offer both personal, part-time chef services and private, full-time chef services in New York, New Jersey, and the Los Angeles area. Chef Jerran received her BS in Business Administration from the University of South Florida, a degree in Culinary Arts from Florida Culinary Institute, and a Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate through Cornell University. This article has been viewed 53,299 times. 16 votes - 78% Co-authors: 8 Updated: April 18, 2025 Views: 53,299 Categories: Garlic In other languages Portuguese German 
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz 
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz 
540 
A salt and baking soda scrub absorbs the garlic smell from your hands. 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] 
The fresh citrus scent helps cover and eliminate smelly garlic.[2] 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.[3] 
Stainless steel bonds with the molecules that cause lingering garlic odor. 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.[4] 
Coffee masks the garlic and acts as an odor absorber. 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.[5] 
The acid in vinegar cleans and naturally deodorizes garlic smells. 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.[6] 
Tomato juice is a classic way to get strong odors off your skin. 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. 
The minty smell of mouthwash helps get rid of the garlic smell. 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.[7] 
Toothpaste covers the smell and scrubs your skin. 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.[8] 
A scented sanitizer could help kill and mask the odors. 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.[9] Advertisement 
Perfume or cologne works as a last resort to mask the odor. 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.