How to Get Rid of Fishy Odors Naturally:  Easy Kitchen Tricks That Really Work

Fish, seafood, garlic, onions, and certain meats can leave behind stubborn odors on your hands, cutting boards, cookware, and even throughout your kitchen. Fortunately, you don't need harsh chemicals to eliminate these smells.

Many common household ingredients can help neutralize unpleasant odors quickly and naturally.

Here are 10 simple ways to get rid of fishy smells and keep your kitchen smelling fresh.

1. Rub Your Hands with Lemon

Fresh lemon is one of the easiest natural odor removers.

After handling fish or seafood:

• Rub half a lemon over your hands.

• Let the juice sit for about one minute.

• Wash with soap and warm water.

The natural citric acid helps reduce lingering odors while leaving your hands smelling fresh.

2. Wash with Stainless Steel

It may sound surprising, but rubbing your hands on stainless steel under running water can help reduce odors from fish, garlic, and onions.

You can use:

• A stainless steel spoon.

• The side of a stainless steel sink.

• A stainless steel "odor-removing" soap bar.

Although the exact mechanism is still debated, many people find this trick effective.

3. Use White Vinegar

White vinegar helps neutralize many strong cooking odors.

You can:

• Wipe cutting boards with diluted vinegar.

• Clean countertops after preparing seafood.

• Simmer a small pot of vinegar and water to reduce lingering kitchen odors.

Avoid using vinegar on natural stone surfaces such as marble or granite.

4. Sprinkle Baking Soda

Baking soda naturally absorbs unpleasant smells.

Use it to:

• Clean cutting boards.

• Deodorize food containers.

• Freshen trash bins.

• Remove odors from refrigerators.

A paste made with baking soda and water also works well on many kitchen surfaces.

5. Wash with Coffee Grounds

Used coffee grounds can help remove stubborn odors from your hands.

Simply:

• Rub damp coffee grounds between your hands.

• Rinse thoroughly with soap and water.

The grounds also provide gentle exfoliation.

6. Freshen Cutting Boards with Salt and Lemon

Wooden cutting boards often absorb fishy smells.

To clean them:

• Sprinkle coarse salt over the board.

• Rub with half a lemon.

• Let it sit for 5–10 minutes.

• Rinse and dry completely.

This helps remove both stains and odors.

7. Simmer Citrus Peels

If fish odors linger in your kitchen, try simmering:

• Lemon peels

• Orange peels

• Cinnamon sticks (optional)

The steam helps freshen the air with a pleasant natural scent.

8. Clean with Mild Dish Soap Immediately

The sooner you clean fish residue, the easier it is to prevent odors.

Wash:

• Knives

• Cutting boards

• Bowls

• Countertops

with warm water and dish soap as soon as you're finished cooking.

9. Air Out Your Kitchen

Good ventilation helps remove cooking odors quickly.

Open windows, turn on the range hood, or use an exhaust fan while cooking seafood to prevent smells from lingering.

10. Store Seafood Properly

Prevent odors before they start by storing seafood correctly.

• Keep raw fish refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or below.

• Store it in a sealed container or tightly wrapped package.

• Cook seafood promptly after purchase.

• Dispose of fish scraps in a sealed trash bag.

Proper storage helps reduce both odors and the risk of foodborne illness.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

To keep fishy odors from lingering, avoid:

• Leaving dirty dishes overnight.

• Allowing fish scraps to sit in the trash.

• Using the same sponge for days without replacing or sanitizing it.

• Waiting too long before washing cutting boards and knives.

Quick cleanup makes a big difference.

The Bottom Line

Fishy odors don't have to linger in your kitchen or on your hands. Everyday ingredients like lemons, baking soda, vinegar, coffee grounds, and salt can help neutralize unpleasant smells naturally and effectively.

Combined with prompt cleaning, proper food storage, and good ventilation, these simple tricks can keep your kitchen fresh and make cooking seafood much more enjoyable.