Fish is delicious and highly nutritious food which makes it widely popular. However, many people cannot stand its smell. Once you prepare it in your kitchen, it is likely to leave an unpleasant smell in the air, on your hands, and on the utensils. Even worse, you may experience the off-putting smell when eating the fish, making you nauseous and disgusted.
This begs the question; how exactly can you get rid of the fishy smell? Well, keep reading to find out.
How to Remove the Fishy Smell on Fish
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Soak in Warm Tea Water
Prepare a cup of strong tea and add it to some water to dilute it. Soak your fish in the solution for approximately 10 minutes then take it out. The tannic acid in the tea will help get rid of the fishy smell.
Note that, the measurements above are only suitable for a kilogram of fish. If you have more, increase the proportions accordingly.
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Soak in Salt Water
Create a salty water solution by mixing 25 grams of salt and 2.5 liters of water. You should then soak your fish in this solution for around an hour. The smell should be gone after this time. However, if you obtained the fish when it was already dead, soak it for two hours to also eliminate the smell of soil.
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Cook with Ginger
Grate some ginger and add it to your fish while it is cooking. It is advisable not to add it too early as it may cause the leaching of proteins from the fish. Add it after the fish has cooked for a while. You may also add some vinegar and cooked wine. In case the fishy smell persists, sprinkle some grated garlic on the fish before serving.
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Use Milk
If preparing fish stew, you can add some milk, as part of the soup. This will not only remove the fishy smell but also make it more delicious. If you plan to fry your fish, soak it in milk for a while before cooking it.
Related: 15 Uses for Milk That are Pretty Cool
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Apply White Wine
You can apply some white wine to your fish alongside other seasonings. The wine will help get rid of the fishy smell. Ensure to only use moderate amounts to prevent the flavor of the wine from overpowering that of the fish.
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Wash with Water, Vinegar, and Pepper Powder
Before cooking it, wash your fish in some cold water. You should then prepare a solution of water, vinegar, and pepper powder. Wash your fish in the solution to get rid of the smell. You can then rinse your fish in cold water and proceed to cook it. However, if you don’t mind the taste of vinegar and pepper on your fish, you can go ahead and cook it without rinsing it.
How to Remove the Fishy Smell on Your Hands
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Wash with White Wine
Pour some white wine into a basin and use it to wash your hands until the fishy smell is gone. The amount of wine you use will depend on the intensity of the smell. If it is faint, a small amount will do
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Wash with Lemon or Orange Juice
Squeeze the juice of one or two lemons into some warm water and use it to rinse your hands. The lemon juice helps get rid of the fishy smell. If you do not mind the sour taste of lemon, you can also use it to cook your dish where it will not only eliminate the unpleasant odor but also enhance your food’s taste.
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Apply Toothpaste and Baking Soda
Create a paste of some toothpaste, baking soda, and a little water. You should then apply it on your hands, just as you would with soap. Let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing it off with running warm water.
Related: 16 Everyday Uses for Toothpaste – That Don’t Involve Your Teeth
How to Remove the Fishy Smell in the Air
Before anything else, open your windows and doors to let in some fresh air. You can also turn on the fans to help circulate the air around your space more quickly. This will do away with a huge percentage of the foul smell. Here are some additional tips that will come in handy
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Clean the Dishes
Wash all your dishes using warm water and soap. Note that, some soaps are mild and they may only get your dishes clean but will not eradicate the smell. You should, therefore, use superior detergents. If the smell still lingers on your dishes, use some water and vinegar to clean them. Other than the dishes, clean and wipe any surfaces that came in contact with the fish. Also, dispose of any leftovers and take the garbage out.
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Simmer Vinegar or Citrus Fruits
Get a pot, pour in 3 cups of water, and add an equal amount of white vinegar. You should then place the pot on your cooker and let the solution boil. Lower the heat to a minimum and let the solution simmer and steam for around 20 minutes. The steam from the solution will help get rid of the fishy smell in the surrounding area. Lemons will also work in the same way, whereby you throw in some slices in 3 cups of water. Alternatively, you can use orange or lemon peels.
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Diffuse Citrus Essential Oils
If you have a diffuser, you can use it to disperse citrus essential oils. Around 5 drops per 100ml of water are ideal. You should then diffuse the oil for around 20 minutes.
In case the process does not work the first time, you can always repeat it until you get satisfactory results. Peppermint, eucalyptus, and ginger essential oils will work equally as well.
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Light Candles
You can use highly scented candles to mask the fishy smell. Though any scent can work, lemon and peppermint scents will give you exceptional results. They work well in tackling food smells leaving your home smelling fresh and clean.
Related: How To Remove Bad Odors At Home
Conclusion
There you have it! Various ways in which you can get rid of fishy smell. In case the smell persists even after using one of the above methods, feel free to use another or even combine two or more methods.
