Oh Crap! How to Get Poop Smell Off Your Hands

Ugh, we’ve all been there. You’re changing a dirty diaper or cleaning up after your pet and suddenly your hands reek of poop. No matter how much you wash them, the stench just won’t go away! It’s enough to make you want to chop your hands off.

But don’t start browsing prosthetic limbs just yet. Getting poop smell off your hands is possible, with the right techniques. In this article, I’ll share proven methods to banish unpleasant poop odors from your hands quickly and easily.

You’ll discover the most effective soaps, natural deodorizers like lemon juice and vinegar, andscrubbing tricks to get your hands fresh and stench-free. No more embarrassing smells wafting as you reach for a handshake or dig into dinner. Just clean, pleasant-smelling hands.

I’ll even explain why poop particles cling to skin and fabric in the first place, so you know what you’re up against. Arm yourself with the knowledge to defeat unshakable poop smells. Wave goodbye to stinky hands forever! Now let’s get started removing that poop odor from your hands for good.

Give Your Hands a Good Scrubbing

The first thing you’ll want to do is wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. Here are some tips for getting your hands extra clean:

Use antibacterial soap. Antibacterial soap contains ingredients that will help kill germs and bacteria that cause odors. Look for one with an active ingredient like triclosan or benzalkonium chloride.
Scrub for at least 20 seconds. Make sure to lather up both sides of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails where poop can hide. Hum the “Happy Birthday” song twice to time yourself.
Use warm water. Warm water helps break down oils and residue better than cold. But don’t use hot water which can dry out your skin.
Rinse until the soap is completely gone. Any leftover soap can trap the stink against your skin.
Dry thoroughly with a clean towel. Damp hands attract odors. Pat your hands completely dry.

This thorough scrubbing with antibacterial soap and warm water should help remove most of the smell. If you still detect a whiff of poop, keep reading for more tips.

Make a Baking Soda Paste

Baking soda is known for its odor-fighting power. Mix up a simple paste with baking soda and water to erase stubborn poop smells:

Add 1 teaspoon baking soda to 2 teaspoons water. Adjust amounts as needed to form a thick paste.
Massage the paste all over your hands, focusing on fingernails and crevices.
Let sit for 2-3 minutes to allow the baking soda to neutralize odors.
Rinse thoroughly with warm water and pat hands dry.

The baking soda paste scrubs away poop residue while the alkaline in the baking soda neutralizes unpleasant acidic odors. Say goodbye to that stench!

Bust Out the Mouthwash

Most of us have a bottle of mouthwash handy for freshening breath. Well, it turns out your favorite oral rinse can also freshen your hands!

Pour a small puddle of mouthwash into one hand. Any variety will work but we like minty ones.
Rub your hands together so the mouthwash covers everywhere, like you’re washing up with soap.
Let the mouthwash sit for 30 seconds to penetrate and neutralize odor molecules.
Rinse thoroughly with water.

The antiseptic ingredients in mouthwash work to destroy odor-causing bacteria. Plus, it leaves your hands smelling minty fresh!

Harness the Power of Vinegar

You’ll often find vinegar in DIY cleaner recipes, but it’s also handy for scrubbing away unwanted odors like poop.

Pour undiluted white vinegar into a small bowl.
Dip your hands in and scrub together for 2-3 minutes. This gives the vinegar time to break down poop residues.
Rinse clean. Dry thoroughly.

The acetic acid in white vinegar acts as a natural deodorizer to remove stubborn poop smells. Plus, it dissolves sticky substances that trap odors on skin.

Let Lemons Lend a Hand

Lemons can do more than just flavor your water! The acidic juice is great for eliminating odors like poop.

Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice from one half into your palm.
Rub the lemon juice all over your hands like hand sanitizer.
Let sit for 5 minutes before rinsing clean with water.

The vitamin C and acidic properties in lemon juice help destroy bacteria and neutralize nasty smells. Your hands will emerge fresh as a daisy!

Whip Up a Salt Scrub

For a spa-like odor treatment, exfoliate with a salt scrub. The coarse salt removes contaminants while the oil moisturizes.

Mix 1 tablespoon fine salt with 2 teaspoons argan oil or olive oil. Adjust amounts as desired.
Gently scrub the salt-oil mixture all over your hands for 2-3 minutes.
Rinse and pat dry.

The salt lifts away poop residue sitting on the surface of your skin while the oil seals in moisture. Say adios to any lingering odors!

Don’t Forget Hand Sanitizer

Using hand sanitizer is an easy on-the-go way to kill germs and remove odors. Any variety will help, but we recommend:

Alcohol-based: At least 60% alcohol kills more bacteria.
Citrus or floral scented: Masks bad smells with pleasant aromas.
Moisturizing formulas: Counteract drying alcohol with nourishing oils.

Rub a dime-sized amount all over your hands until completely dry. The alcohol destroys odor-causing bacteria while the scented formula overwhelms any lingering poop smells.

Magical Matcha Magic

For a fun natural odor-removal trick, make a quick matcha scrub. The ground green tea has detoxifying properties to absorb bad smells.

Mix 1 teaspoon matcha powder with 1 teaspoon water or lemon juice to form a paste.
Massage over hands in circular motions for 2 minutes.
Rinse and dry well.

The matcha paste effectively pulls out clinging poop odors. Plus, it leaves your hands feeling soft!

Don’t Linger in the Stink

Now that you know how to thoroughly scrub away poop smells, here are two final tips on avoiding them in the first place:

Wear gloves. Protect yourself by wearing rubber gloves anytime you handle poop. This provides a barrier from odors absorbing into your skin.
Wash ASAP. Try to wash your hands within 15 minutes after contact with poop. The longer the residue sits, the more likely odors will set in.

With the tricks in this guide, you can confidently tackle any poop predicament that comes your way. No more nasty smells lingering after an icky clean-up job. Just fresh, fabulous hands every time!