Tiffany Haney
Onions are a staple in many dishes, adding a rich depth of flavor to our favorite meals. However, the potent smell of onions can linger on your hands, clothes, and even your home long after you're done cooking. Luckily, there are several effective methods to get rid of onion smells, especially when it comes to your cookware.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use while cooking | Open windows, use exhaust hood, use vinegar and vanilla, use the extractor fan |
| Use after cooking | Wash dishes quickly with dish soap, use baking soda, use Febreze, use cinnamon sticks or cloves, use incense or scented candles, use citrus peels in the garbage disposal, use lemon juice, use salt soap |
| For hands | Use stainless steel, use salt, use baking soda, use coffee grounds, use vinegar, use dry mustard, use toothpaste, use mouthwash |
Use baking soda
Baking soda is a great way to get rid of onion smells. It is a well-known odour neutraliser and is super absorbent, so it can suck odours straight out of the air. To use baking soda to get rid of onion smells, try the following:
For Pans
Create a baking soda and water paste and let it soak up the smell. You can also try boiling the paste over medium heat for a few minutes, or coating the pan with the paste, sealing it into a bag with some newspaper, and leaving it for a while.
For the Air
Add a few tablespoons of baking soda to a slow cooker with a generous amount of water. Turn the slow cooker to low heat and leave the lid off. The heated baking soda will help pull the odours from the air. You can also add a few drops of vanilla, a few teaspoons of your favourite spices such as cinnamon or clove, or some essential oils to create an air freshener.
For Your Hands
Mix baking soda with a small amount of water to form a paste. Rub the baking soda paste into your hands, gently scrubbing the most odorous areas. Rinse and dry your hands thoroughly.
For Your Refrigerator
Place a bowl of baking soda in your refrigerator to absorb the onion smell. Leave it for two to three days, then throw away the baking soda.
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Try vinegar
Vinegar is an effective way to get rid of onion smells. The acid in vinegar helps to neutralise and absorb odours.
To use vinegar to get rid of onion smells from your pan, fill the pan with equal parts water and vinegar and bring it to a boil. Allow the mixture to simmer for around ten minutes. You can also add a few tablespoons of baking soda to the water and vinegar mixture to enhance its odour-fighting properties.
Alternatively, you can place a small bowl of vinegar near the stove or wherever you're preparing or cooking onions. The vinegar will absorb the onion smell. You can also add a few drops of vanilla to the bowl of vinegar to help neutralise the vinegar's strong scent.
While vinegar is an effective odour neutraliser, it does have a strong smell of its own. If you are sensitive to strong scents, you may want to try a different method or add a few drops of vanilla to the vinegar to create a more pleasant fragrance.
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Wash with dish soap
If you've been cooking with onions, you'll know how their smell can linger on your cookware, long after you've finished eating. Here are some tips for removing onion odours from your pots and pans using dish soap:
- First, fill your pan with hot water and add a generous squirt of dish soap. You can also add a tablespoon of baking soda, which will help to neutralise the onion smell.
- Let the pan soak for a few minutes, then use a sponge or brush to scrub away any remaining food particles.
- Rinse the pan thoroughly with clean water and dry it with a towel.
- If the onion smell persists, try repeating the process, leaving the pan to soak for longer, or using a stronger dish soap.
Other tips for removing onion smells
- One way to prevent onion smells is to use an exhaust hood when cooking. This will help to suck up the odours and send them outside.
- You can also try using natural odour absorbers like baking soda or white vinegar. Leave a bowl of baking soda or vinegar in your kitchen overnight to help neutralise odours.
- For a more pleasant scent, add a few drops of vanilla extract to a bowl of vinegar.
- Boil some lemon peels, orange peels, or other citrus peels in a pan of water to fill your home with a fresh citrus scent.
- Open your windows while cooking to encourage good airflow and prevent odours from lingering.
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Simmer spices or fruits
If you want to get rid of onion smells from your home, simmering spices or fruits is a great option. Here are some detailed instructions on how to do this effectively:
First, get a pot or a pan and fill it with water. You can use any type of pot or pan you have available. Then, turn on the stove and place the pot or pan on it. If you have an electric stove, make sure the heating element is properly aligned with the base of the pot or pan for efficient heating. Now, turn the heat to high and bring the water to a boil.
While you're waiting for the water to boil, gather your chosen spices or fruits. Some great options include:
- Cinnamon sticks
- Cloves
- Citrus peels (lemon, orange, or lime)
- Apples
- Pine needles
You can use just one of these ingredients or a combination of several, depending on your preference. For example, apples and cinnamon work well together, or you could use lemon peels with cloves. Be creative and experiment with different combinations to find your favourite scent.
Once the water is boiling, it's time to add your chosen spices or fruits. You can add them gradually or all at once. If using cinnamon sticks, cloves, or citrus peels, you can simply drop them into the boiling water. If using apples or other fruits, you may want to chop them into smaller pieces first to release more of their fragrance.
Let the mixture simmer for at least a few minutes, but you can also let it go for longer if you want a stronger scent. Keep an eye on the water level and add more water if needed to ensure it doesn't all boil away. The simmering spices or fruits will release their fragrance into the air, helping to drive away the onion smell and leaving your home smelling pleasant and fresh.
As an alternative to simmering on the stove, you could also try using a slow cooker. Simply add water and your chosen spices or fruits to the slow cooker, turn it on low heat, and leave the lid off to release the fragrance.
By following these steps, you can effectively use simmering spices or fruits to get rid of onion smells and make your home smell wonderful.
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Boil lemons
Boiling lemons is a great way to get rid of onion smells. The strong, astringent smell of lemons clears the air of any lingering odours while imparting a fresh citrus aroma.
To boil lemons, start by washing the outside of the lemon rind under running water. Then, cut the lemon into quarters and place them in a pot with 2 cups of water. Bring the pot to a boil and then remove it from the heat. Allow the pot to cool completely before straining the lemon solution into a bowl.
You can also add baking soda to the lemon solution to enhance its odour-fighting properties. Simply stir in 1/2 cup of baking soda and mix until it dissolves. Once the solution has cooled, pour it into a spray bottle and spritz it into the air as needed.
Alternatively, you can create a simmer pot by slicing a lemon and placing it in a pot of water. Bring the pot to a boil and then reduce the heat to a medium-low simmer. The acid in the lemon will help to neutralise odours and leave a pleasant scent behind. Keep an eye on the water level in the pot to prevent it from burning.
Lemons are a natural air freshener and can be used on their own or in combination with other ingredients like baking soda, citrus peels, or spices. Boiling lemons is an effective and affordable way to eliminate onion smells and leave your home smelling fresh and clean.
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Frequently asked questions
Try simmering some DIY potpourri on the stove, such as cinnamon sticks or cloves, or both. Alternatively, grind up citrus peels in your garbage disposal, or boil lemons or oranges and let it simmer for an hour or two.
Yes, baking soda is a great odour neutralizer and is super absorbent. Leave a bowl of baking soda in your kitchen overnight, or near the pan, to absorb the onion odour.
Yes, vinegar is also an effective odour neutralizer. Try placing a bowl of vinegar near the pan, or even boil vinegar in the pan to neutralize the odour.
You can try using an exhaust hood or extractor fan above your stove to pull the onion smell out of the kitchen and send it outside. Alternatively, you could try washing the pan with dish soap immediately after cooking to prevent the onion smell from lingering.
Yes, it's important to note that everything in your kitchen, from your hair to the walls, can absorb odours. Therefore, it's recommended to open your kitchen windows while cooking with onions to prevent the smell from sticking around and becoming absorbed.
