Going by its numerous accolades, we don’t mind savoring the nutritional deliciousness of a garlic bulb every day. But eating garlic comes with a catch — its pungent odor that lingers on the fingers for hours endlessly.
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That’s why when we discovered Martha Stewart’s hack to get rid of garlic smells, we knew we had to spread the good news right away!
- The Power of Garlic
Besides its flavor-enhancing qualities, many of us love garlic because of its versatility and potent medicinal properties. In fact, many grandmothers swear that the key to their longevity is this onion’s favorite cousin.
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So, there’s no ditching garlic just because it tries so hard to leave a sensory mark on your fingers. Instead, we just had to find a way around it.
- Martha Stewart
Thankfully, Martha Stewart has shared a stainless steel trick for getting the garlic smell off your fingers. Stewart is a seasoned entrepreneur, who transformed a catering business into a diversified media and merchandising company, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.
Source: Martha Stewart/Instagram
She started cooking, gardening, and housekeeping from a very young age. So, if there’s anyone who we’d listen to when it comes to kitchen hacks, it’s definitely she.
- The Stainless Steel Hack
Stewart posted a “quick tip for keeping clean and fresh while doing Thanksgiving cooking,” on her TikTok account (@marthastewart) some time ago. In the video, she demonstrated her trick for preventing your fingers from smelling garlicky.
Source: Martha Stewart/TikTok
“Run your water warm, and you can use a knife, like this, anything stainless steel, just rub your finger on it under running water and the smell of garlic disappears,” she said.
- It’s Been Around for A Long Time
Although we love to call it Martha Stewart’s trick, this hack isn’t new. But we believe Stewart deserves huge credit for how well she has promoted this method of dealing with garlic smell.
Source: Martha Stewart/TikTok
This is especially true when you consider the mixed reactions from people who have tried the hack. For example, NPR carried out this test and didn’t get positive results.
- Why Stainless Steel?
The stainless steel hack is more science than it is magic, and scientists have graciously explained the theory behind this trick. Fortunately, it’s a pretty simple phenomenon.
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According to them, stainless steel helps to remove the garlic smell because it’s coated in rust-resistant chromium. Meanwhile, garlic’s distinctive odor is caused by sulfur-containing materials. Chromium reacts with these materials to neutralize their smell.
- More About Chromium
The U.S. Geological Survey agrees that stainless steel contains a significant amount of chromium. According to the science bureau, “Chromium is critical in the manufacturing of stainless steel. Most stainless steel contains about 18% chromium.”
Source: Wikipedia
Food Network says “The idea behind them is that steel molecules bind to the sulfur molecules left behind on your hand from handling pungent foods like garlic.”
- It Works for Other Ingredients Too
Garlic isn’t the only smelly ingredient that finds its way into our kitchens. From peppers to onions, fish, ginger, etc., it’s almost impossible to completely be free of lingering smells on our fingers after cooking.
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If you’re wondering whether stainless steel also helps to get their smell off your hands, the answer is yes. So, feel free to experiment with this hack with as many ingredients as you wish.
- Got Stainless Steel Bars?
We know Stewart specified stainless steel knives in her video, but what if you don’t have one handy? The good news is that any equipment or utensils made from stainless steel will do.
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There are even stainless steel soap bars made specially for removing lingering odors on your hands. If you have a thing for the fanciful side of life, you can give them a try.
- Focus On Your Fingernails
The key to effectively using the stainless steel hack is to focus on every angle, especially the difficult ones like your fingernails. A good tip is to stick the flat end of a stainless steel spoon underneath them.
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The more spots you can cover with this trick, the more unpleasant odor you can eliminate. So, be sure to take your time.
- Things to Consider
While the stainless steel hack is highly effective, numerous factors will determine how well it works for you. For example, your skin’s porosity goes a long way in influencing the results.
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You should also try to use the hack as soon as possible after mincing or handling garlic. The less time you allow for the smell to penetrate your skin, the more effective the trick is.
- There You Have It!
Have you resorted to using garlic powder instead of fresh garlic to escape its lingering smell? Stewart’s stainless steel trick could just be the breakthrough you’ve been hoping for.
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Give it a try and let’s know if it works for you. If it does, you can now kiss goodbye to smelling unfresh after a culinary meeting with the “bulby” vegetable.
