If the baking soda is still too powdery, add a little more water. Don’t dump in so much that the mixture is mostly liquid. This won’t stay on your hands and the smell will remain.
Scrub well so you get rid of all the remaining scales and remnants of the fish. Any particles left behind might still smell.
If your hands still feel sticky or there is baking soda residue on them, wash your hands normally with soap and water.
The lemon juice can be freshly-squeezed or from a store-bought bottle. It will have the same effect. If you have sensitive skin, you should skip this solution. Undiluted vinegar can burn and irritate your skin. Consider another solution if you’re prone to skin irritations. [5] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Do this over a sink to avoid spilling the contents on your table. If you have any cuts on your hand, be prepared for this mixture to sting a bit.
All types of toothpaste should work for this method because toothpaste is designed to scrub bacteria off your teeth. The same mechanism can scrub the smelly fish bacteria off your skin. For the best results, use a toothpaste that contains baking soda. Baking soda naturally removes smells, so the combination will work well for fish smells.
If your hands still feel sticky or clammy after the toothpaste scrub, wash your hands normally with soap and water.
While there are proponents of using hot water or cold water to remove odors, there is no official difference between the two. Just make sure the water is clean and flowing. [12] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
There are also special stainless steel bars designed for removing odors. If you don’t have a stainless steel faucet in your home, you could try ordering one of these. Keep in mind that they can be fairly expensive and cost up to $30.
Wipe down your faucet well after rubbing your hands on it. Although stainless steel absorbs odors, any fish remnants left behind can start smelling again. Use a cleaning wipe to wash off the faucet when you’re done. If the faucet still smells after this, try one of the other methods for removing fish smell on it.
