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Get rid of bad smells on your hands
- Thread starter CigarStone
- Start date
jfields
Where did all my money go?
Isn't that just a stainless steel bar if I remember correctly?
I wonder what the science is behind that that makes it work so well.
I wonder what the science is behind that that makes it work so well.
CigarStone
For once, knowledge is making me poor!
It is, it's just a shape of a bar of soap made of stainless. I've even used any old piece of stainless in a pinch.
CigarStone
For once, knowledge is making me poor!
Interesting...!! Grok says:
**Stainless steel removes certain hand odors (especially from garlic, onions, fish, and similar foods) primarily through a chemical interaction with sulfur compounds.**
### The Science Behind It
Foods like garlic and onions contain **sulfur-based compounds** (such as allicin and amino acid sulfoxides). These break down into volatile molecules like sulfenic acids and propanethial S-oxide, which create the strong smell (and eye irritation when cutting onions). These compounds linger on your skin because they bind to skin oils and proteins.
Stainless steel is an iron-based alloy with a significant amount of **chromium** (typically >10.5%). The chromium reacts with oxygen to form a thin, passive **chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃) layer** on the surface. This layer is what makes stainless steel corrosion-resistant.
The key mechanism: Sulfur compounds have a strong affinity for this oxide layer (or the metals in the steel). When you rub your hands on stainless steel (under running water, especially cold), the sulfur molecules preferentially bind to the steel instead of staying on your skin. The water helps rinse away the transferred compounds. The oxide layer can then reform, allowing the steel to be reused.
This is why "stainless steel soap" bars (just shaped pieces of stainless steel) or even rubbing on a stainless steel sink, spoon, or knife blade works. It’s not magic or "negative ions"—it’s basic surface chemistry and adsorption.
### Evidence and Limitations
- It’s a well-known kitchen hack backed by chemistry explanations from sources like ThoughtCo, Wikipedia, and science communicators. Tests (including some citizen science) support that it reduces sulfur odors effectively.
- It works best for **sulfur-related odors** on the skin surface. It won’t eliminate deep-pore absorption or non-sulfur smells (e.g., from other foods or smoke).
- For best results: Use under cool running water and rub for 20–60 seconds. Soap alone often struggles with these persistent sulfur smells because they aren’t easily emulsified.
This is a simple, reusable, chemical-free trick—handy in the kitchen! If the odor persists, a follow-up with regular soap or lemon juice can help further.
**Stainless steel removes certain hand odors (especially from garlic, onions, fish, and similar foods) primarily through a chemical interaction with sulfur compounds.**
### The Science Behind It
Foods like garlic and onions contain **sulfur-based compounds** (such as allicin and amino acid sulfoxides). These break down into volatile molecules like sulfenic acids and propanethial S-oxide, which create the strong smell (and eye irritation when cutting onions). These compounds linger on your skin because they bind to skin oils and proteins.
Stainless steel is an iron-based alloy with a significant amount of **chromium** (typically >10.5%). The chromium reacts with oxygen to form a thin, passive **chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃) layer** on the surface. This layer is what makes stainless steel corrosion-resistant.
The key mechanism: Sulfur compounds have a strong affinity for this oxide layer (or the metals in the steel). When you rub your hands on stainless steel (under running water, especially cold), the sulfur molecules preferentially bind to the steel instead of staying on your skin. The water helps rinse away the transferred compounds. The oxide layer can then reform, allowing the steel to be reused.
This is why "stainless steel soap" bars (just shaped pieces of stainless steel) or even rubbing on a stainless steel sink, spoon, or knife blade works. It’s not magic or "negative ions"—it’s basic surface chemistry and adsorption.
### Evidence and Limitations
- It’s a well-known kitchen hack backed by chemistry explanations from sources like ThoughtCo, Wikipedia, and science communicators. Tests (including some citizen science) support that it reduces sulfur odors effectively.
- It works best for **sulfur-related odors** on the skin surface. It won’t eliminate deep-pore absorption or non-sulfur smells (e.g., from other foods or smoke).
- For best results: Use under cool running water and rub for 20–60 seconds. Soap alone often struggles with these persistent sulfur smells because they aren’t easily emulsified.
This is a simple, reusable, chemical-free trick—handy in the kitchen! If the odor persists, a follow-up with regular soap or lemon juice can help further.