How To Get Fish Smell Off Hands: An Ultimate Guide.
How to get rid of this gunky, gooey smell off your hands? Whether you are a pro or just a casual weekend fisher, the smelly hands is a problem that everyone has to deal with after fishing.
And by the way, it is not just the smell; it's the invisible greasy sort of coating you feel on your hands all the time. So how can you get rid of this fishy smell and return your hands to their pre-fishing state?
well, before we get to it let's first discuss;
why do fish smell in the first place?
The fish odour from hands is caused when you touch a fish and then your sweaty palms break down certain peptides in its skin. This process releases an amino acid called Trimethylamine which causes that 'fishy' smell on your hand. The good news, however, is that this enzyme works only with dead fish and not with the ones that are still alive.
So how do you get rid of this smell? There are many popular methods that can be used to get rid of the fish smell from your hands. Just pick the one that is most convenient for you and give it a try! We will be discussing a few of the most popular methods here.
1) use baking Soda
Baking soda is one of the most effective ways to get rid of the fish smell from hands. Baking Soda neutralizes this enzyme and breaks it down into water, carbon dioxide and ammonia which are all very much harmless to your skin. Baking soda also acts as a scrub that helps you exfoliate any dead skin cells or residue on your hands.
Baking soda is also very cheap and easily available, so you don't have to worry about stocking it up for this purpose. Just keep a box of baking soda in your bathroom or near the kitchen sink where you usually wash your hands after cutting fish. Then simply wet your palms with water, take some baking soda on them and scrub it around for a minute or two.
Wash your hands with clean water again, and you will find that the fishy smell is gone. Just remember to keep baking soda handy whenever you are handling raw fish!
2) use Lemon Juice
Another way to get rid of this stench from your palms is lemon juice. Lemon juice contains citric acid which helps to break down the Trimethylamine enzyme and neutralize the smell.
Just like baking soda, lemon juice is also a good scrubbing agent and it can help to remove any dirt or residue from your hands. It also has a refreshing scent that will get rid of the fishy smell quickly.
Simply cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice over your hands. Rub it all over your palms for a minute or two, then wash it off with clean water. The fishy smell will be gone in no time!
3) use Vinegar
Vinegar is another kitchen ingredient that can help to get rid of this smell from your hands. Vinegar contains acetic acid which helps in breaking down the Trimethylamine enzyme.
Just like lemon juice and baking soda, vinegar is also a good scrubbing agent. It can help to remove any residue or dirt from your hands. And it has a very strong scent that will overpower the fishy smell quickly.
Simply pour some vinegar onto your hands and scrub it around for a minute or two. Wash it off with clean water, then dry your palms thoroughly. The fishy smell should be gone by now!
4) use Dishwashing Liquid
Dishwashing liquid is a very common household product that can be used to remove the fish smell from hands. Dishwashing liquid breaks down the Trimethylamine enzyme and neutralizes it. Moreover, it contains Triclosan which helps in deodorizing and cleaning effectively.
Just wet your palms with water and take some dishwashing liquid on them. Scrub for a minute or two, then wash it off with clean water. The fishy smell should be gone by now!
5) use hand Sanitizer
If you don't have any of these ingredients handy, you can also use a hand sanitizer to get rid of the fish smell from your hands. Hand sanitizers contain alcohol which helps to break down the enzyme and neutralize the smell.
Just put some hand sanitizer on your palms and Rub it all over your hands.
6) use carbonated soap
Carbonated soap also works to get rid of this smell. Carbonated soaps contain sodium bicarbonate which helps in neutralizing the Trimethylamine enzyme and thus, gets rid of the fishy smell on your hands.
Just wet your palms with water and take some carbonated soap on them. Rub it all over your hands for a minute or two. The fishy smell should be gone by now!
7) use toothpaste
Toothpaste is another option to get rid of the fish smell from your hands. Toothpaste contains mint which helps in neutralizing the smell.
Just put some toothpaste on your palms and Rub it all over your hands and wash them with warm water.
8) use Salt
Salt is also a good option to get rid of the fish smell from your hands. Salt contains sodium chloride which helps in breaking down the Trimethylamine enzyme.
Just wet your palms with water and take some salt on them. Rub it all over your hands and wash it with tap water and say bye-bye to the fishy smell.
9) use Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is also a good option to get rid of the fishy smell on your palms. Stainless steel has anti-bacterial properties which protect against bacterial contaminants and thus, it helps in getting rid of unwanted odours too.
All you need is some stainless steel object with a clean and polished surface (e.g., a stainless steel spoon, fork or knife).
Just rub the object on your palms for a minute or two and wash it off with tap water.
and don't forget to wash the utensil too:)
10) use ketchup to get rid of the fishy smell from hands
Ketchup is another kitchen ingredient that can help to get rid of this smell from your hands. Ketchup contains vinegar which helps in neutralizing the Trimethylamine enzyme and thus, gets rid of fishy smell quickly
Just put some ketchup on your palms and Rub it all over your hands for a minute or two. Wash it with clean water and say bye-bye to the fishy smell.
11) use parsley or peppermint leaves
Fresh parsley and mint leaves can also help in getting rid of this smell from your hands. Parsley has a very strong scent which helps overpower the fishiness easily.
Just take some fresh parsley/peppermint leaves in your hands and Rub it all over your palms. The fishy smell should be gone by now!
12) Use Baby Wipes
Baby wipes can also come in handy to get rid of the fishy smell from your hands. Baby wipes are gentle on the skin and have a nice scent which helps in getting rid of the unpleasant odour quickly.
Just take some baby wipes on your palms and rub them all over your hands. The fishy smell should be gone by now!
13) use Gojo hand cleaner
Stainless steel is also a good option to get rid of the fishy smell on your palms. Stainless steel has anti-bacterial properties which protect against bacterial contaminants and thus, it helps in getting rid of unwanted odours too.
All you need is some stainless steel object with a clean and polished surface (e.g., a stainless steel spoon, fork or knife).
Just rub the object on your palms for a minute or two and wash it off with tap water.
and don't forget to wash the utensil too:)
14) use Saltine Crackers to get rid of the fishy smell from hands
Saltine crackers can also come in handy to get rid of the fishy smell from your hands. Saltine crackers have a very strong and pungent smell which helps in getting rid of the unpleasant odour quickly.
Just take some saltine crackers in your hand and Rub them all over your palms. The fishy smell should be gone by now!
15) use Cilantro
Cilantro can also help in getting rid of the fishy smell on your palms. Cilantro has a very strong scent which helps overpower the fishiness easily.
Just take some cilantro leaves in your hand and Rub it all over your palms and wash it with warm water.
conclusion
That's it, I hope we have covered the most effective and widely available common household item which you can use to get off that smell after your fishy experiences.
While I was researching for this article I also came to know of some weird options like rubbing your hands with Vodka, charcoal powder or WD-40 but they haven't made up to our main list.
Mainly because these items are not so common. secondly, because they are weird.
So once we have covered a few of your problems after your fishing sessions you may also check our detailed guides about Fishing as well.
I’m looking forward to your comments…
cheers.
