You probably know that the common household cleaner bleach is a powerful disinfectant that can help you tackle even the most stubborn home-hygiene challenges, such as removing germs from countertops or sterilizing cutting boards. But did you know that bleach can also stain your hands and nails, and leave a lingering odor on your skin for days? And it’s not just your hands that are at risk. The smell of bleach often permeates linens and clothes that come into contact with concentrated bleach solution. Fortunately, there are several ways to remove the staining and smell from your hands. Here are some tips on how to remove the bleach smell from your hands.
How To Remove Bleach Smell From Hands
Use a Hand Soap to Remove Bleach Smell from Hands
When you’re ready to tackle the bleach smell from your hands, don’t reach for bleach-based hand soap. Instead, opt for an unscented hand soap that contains no harsh chemicals. Many soaps contain glycerin, a skin-soothing ingredient that can leave your skin feeling greasy and chapped. If you have sensitive skin, it may be best to avoid using soap altogether and instead use a gentle cleanser that doesn’t contain any chemicals.
Apply Lemon or Orange Peels to Remove Bleach Smell from Hands
If your hands are particularly stained and you want to remove the odor without resorting to stripping down to your skivvies, then lemon or orange peels could easily do the trick. Place the peels in a bowl of water and allow them to soak up any excess bleach solution on your hands as well as inside of your sink. Once the peels are saturated with water, rinse them off and pat dry with a clean towel before applying moisturizer. If you don’t have access to citrus peels or if your hands are particularly soiled with a bleach solution, then you can simply rub the backs of both of your hands against either half of an orange peel (or half an unpeeled lemon) before rinsing off the residue with warm water.
Apply Apple Cider Vinegar or Baking Soda to Remove Bleach Smell from Hands
If you have a particularly strong bleach smell, then rubbing your hands against an apple cider vinegar-soaked washcloth could easily neutralize the odor. You can also use a baking soda and water mixture to scrub your hands clean. Simply mix one teaspoon of baking soda with one cup of water and apply this mixture to your hands. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.
Apply Witch Hazel to Remove Bleach Smell from Hands
If you’re looking for something that’s more natural than commercial hand soaps or citrus peels, then witch hazel is an excellent option. Witch hazel is made by steeping witch hazel bark in water and filtering the liquid through cheesecloth, resulting in a thick liquid that can be used as a hand cleanser or as a facial toner. If you want to remove the bleach smell without having to use any harsh chemicals, then simply hold an open bottle of witch hazel under running water while washing your hands with soap and warm water as usual. This will help to pull out any lingering scent from the bleach solution on your skin, leaving behind only fresh witch hazel scent for days afterward. If you have sensitive skin, then it’s best not to leave the bottle open for too long as it may cause irritation if your skin comes into contact with the concentrated liquid inside of it. You can also apply this remedy directly onto affected areas, but make sure to rinse off any remaining witch hazel before applying any moisturizer or makeup.
Apply Rosewater to Remove Bleach Smell from Hands
Rosewater is a common ingredient in many skin care products and can be used in a variety of different ways, but it’s especially useful for removing the scent of bleach solution from your skin. Simply soak a cotton ball with rosewater and apply it to your hands before washing them with soap and warm water. If you have sensitive skin, then it’s best not to use this remedy too often as it may cause irritation if left on for too long.
Apply Lemon Juice to Remove Bleach Smell from Hands
If you don’t want to use any of the above remedies, but still want to get rid of the bleach smell on your hands, then simple lemon juice and water wash can do the trick. Simply mix one teaspoon of lemon juice with one cup of warm water and apply this mixture directly onto your hands before washing them with soap and warm water as usual.
How Does Bleach Smell And Why Does It Stain?
Bleach is an Oxidizing Agent
Bleach is a household disinfectant that’s commonly used to destroy germs, but it also has another important function. It’s an oxidizing agent that removes stains from your hands and the clothes you wear. Why does bleach stain your hands? The answer lies in its chemical composition and how it works, which is explained below.
Bleach Is a Strong Oxidizing Agent
Bleach is a chemical compound that contains carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen atoms. The bleach molecule has a structure that’s similar to other oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide and chlorine. This means that it’s capable of oxidizing stains by reacting with them, resulting in the destruction of the stain molecules.
Bleach Stains Your Hands Through Oxidation
When you use bleach on your hands, it reacts with the skin cells and proteins on your hands to create a chemical reaction called oxidation. This reaction causes the skin cells to die, which results in staining of your hands due to loss of color, discoloration, or even complete loss of color. The smell also gets trapped in your pores and lingers on your skin for days after using bleach solution on your hands.
Bleach Can Damage Skin Cells
When you use bleach on your hands or other surfaces it can damage the skin cells because it reacts with proteins in the surface layers of your skin to create free radicals (unstable molecules). These free radicals can damage proteins within the cell walls causing slight damage that leaves behind a discoloration or browning effect. The effects are temporary but can last for several days after washing with a bleach solution and exposing yourself to the air again; this is why you may still experience an unpleasant smell from time to time even if you don’t see any visible staining on your hands anymore! For more information about how bleach damages skin cells, read our article about the dangers of bleach.
Bleach Stains Your Clothes
When you use bleach on your clothes, it reacts with the fibers in the fabric to create a chemical reaction called oxidation. This reaction causes damage to the fibers, which can result in permanent discoloration or even complete loss of color. The smell also gets trapped in your clothes, which can linger for a few days after washing with a bleach solution and exposing yourself to the air again.
Tips On How To Remove The Bleach Smell From Your Hands
1. Wash your hands with good soap and water.
Washing your hands with good soap and water will help to remove any bleach residue from your skin. Soap is an effective cleaning agent that will also remove the bleach smell from your hands.
2. Use a hand sanitizer.
You can use hand sanitizers to help remove the bleach smell from your hands, but be careful not to use them too often because they can dry out the skin on your palms and make it more susceptible to infection.
3. Apply lotion after washing your hands with soap and water.
Apply lotion after washing your hands with soap and water to help moisturize dry skin on the palms of your hands, which can make it more susceptible to infection or cracking as it dries out over time.
4. Use a hand sanitizer with alcohol.
You can use hand sanitizers with alcohol to help remove the bleach smell from your hands, but be careful not to use them too often because they can dry out the skin on your palms and make it more susceptible to infection.
5. Use an over-the-counter hand lotion
You can use an over-the-counter hand lotion to help moisturize dry skin on the palms of your hands, which can make it more susceptible to infection or cracking as it dries out over time.
Conclusion
Bleach is a very useful cleaning product, and it’s great for disinfecting surfaces and getting rid of tough stains and grime. However, it can also leave your hands stained and smelling like a swimming pool. Luckily, there are a few simple ways to get rid of the bleach smell from your hands. If you use bleach to clean your home, it’s important to make sure that you wear gloves and goggles to protect your hands and eyes from the bleach. Additionally, you can use ventilation fans to keep the bleach fumes from settling in one area.