How to Get Rid of Garlic Smell From Your Hands: Martha Stewart’s Hack + 6 More!

Garlic is the unsung hero of almost every kitchen. Whether it’s minced into a marinara, roasted to spreadable perfection, or tossed whole into soups and stews, garlic brings depth and flavor like no other ingredient. But while we can’t get enough of its culinary magic, garlic leaves behind a parting gift we’d rather skip: that unmistakable, stubborn smell on our fingers. Even just brushing against a clove can leave your hands reeking for hours—or worse, until the next day. But don’t worry! There are simple, natural remedies to banish that garlicky odor fast, all using items you likely already have in your kitchen or home.

1. Martha Stewart’s Stainless Steel Secret

Leave it to Martha to have a clever solution for garlic’s clingy aroma: stainless steel. Simply rub your fingers on a stainless steel object—like a spoon, knife blade (carefully!), or even the edge of your sink—under cold running water.

Why does it work? Garlic contains sulfur compounds, which are responsible for its signature smell. Stainless steel interacts with these sulfur molecules, neutralizing the odor. It’s quick, easy, and strangely satisfying—plus, no extra cleanup required.

2. Lemon Juice

If garlic has overstayed its welcome on your skin, lemon juice can save the day. Squeeze a small amount of juice directly onto your hands, rub them together for a minute or two, and then rinse with warm water. For extra exfoliation, sprinkle in a pinch of salt before rubbing.

The acidic properties of lemon juice help break down the sulfur compounds that cause the smell. Bonus: It leaves your hands citrusy fresh!

3. Coffee Grounds

That leftover coffee ground sludge in your French press? Turns out it’s a great garlic odor neutralizer. Take a small scoop of used grounds, rub them between your hands, and rinse with warm water.

Coffee grounds are slightly abrasive, which helps scrub away any lingering garlic residue. Meanwhile, their natural oils help absorb and mask the smell. Plus, who doesn’t love the aroma of coffee?

4. Salt and Baking Soda

A simple mix of coarse salt and baking soda can work wonders on garlic-scented fingers. Sprinkle a teaspoon of each onto damp hands, rub vigorously, and rinse clean. The gritty texture scrubs away lingering particles, while baking soda neutralizes odors like a pro.

This method also doubles as a mini spa treatment for your hands, leaving them smoother than before—garlic smell gone, and you feeling fancy.

5. Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar or white vinegar is another pantry staple that can rescue you from the garlic smell blues. Pour a small amount onto your hands, rub them together for a minute, and rinse with warm water.

Vinegar’s acidic properties cut through the sulfur compounds, neutralizing the odor effectively. Sure, your hands might smell faintly vinegary for a while, but that’s a small price to pay to avoid smelling like an Italian restaurant all day.

6. Olive Oil

Here’s a trick that feels counterintuitive but works like a charm. Rub a few drops of olive oil onto your hands, massage for a minute or so, and then wash thoroughly with soap and warm water.

The oil bonds with garlic’s sulfur compounds and lifts them away from your skin. Bonus: Your hands will feel soft and moisturized afterward. It’s a win-win.

7. Tomato Juice

Finally, tomato juice isn’t just for cocktails or spaghetti sauce—it’s a surprisingly effective odor neutralizer. Pour a little onto your hands, rub them together, and rinse off.

The natural acids and enzymes in tomato juice break down the sulfur compounds in garlic, leaving your hands fresh and clean. It’s the same principle that makes it effective for skunk spray—just a lot less extreme.