How Does Stainless Steel Bar Work?

Piece of stainless steel

Stainless steel soap is a piece of stainless steel, in the form of a soap bar or other hand-held shape. Its purported purpose is to neutralize or reduce strong odors such as those from handling garlic, onion, durian, guava, salami, or fish.[1]

No published scientific studies are known to have been conducted on the efficacy of these soaps, for which serious doubts have been raised.[2][3]

Proposed mechanism

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• The chemistry of garlic

The characteristic taste and odor of garlic is due to an oily, slightly yellow organosulfur compound S-Allyl prop-2-ene-1-sulfinothioate, commonly called Allicin. Fresh garlic has little odor until it is chopped or crushed. Allicin is produced from alliin (a derivative of the amino acid cysteine) by the enzyme alliinase.[4] Allicin is unstable and breaks down to form other sulfur compounds such as diallyl sulfides.[5] These compounds contribute to the smell of fresh garlic. When on the hands these sulfur compounds can further degrade into other sulfur compounds, including sulfuric acid, in the presence of water.

• The chemistry of stainless steel

Steel is an alloy made up of iron mixed with carbon. Stainless steel is composed of steel mixed with at least 10.5% chromium, and often other elements such nickel and molybdenum, etc. Chromium is added to make it resistant to rust. Stainless steels that are corrosion and oxidation resistant typically need more than 11% chromium. Nickel is added to increase the corrosion resistance further, and protect it from harsh environmental conditions. Molybdenum may be added to avoid pitting or scarring. The chemical properties of stainless steel can be further improved for specialized uses by adding other elements, e.g. titanium, vanadium and copper.[6]

• Possible mechanism

The chromium[7] in stainless steel forms a passive oxide film on the surface of the metal, resulting in corrosion resistance.[8] It is suggested that allicin and the other sulfur compounds (including sulfuric acid) react with the chromium oxide layer, some possibly being adsorbed onto it. Washing the stainless steel soap in water would remove this layer and with it the smelly sulfur compounds. The oxide film would then reform and the stainless steel soap can be reused.[9]

Mark Lorch, Professor of Science Communication and Chemistry at the University of Hull and Joanna Buckley, Materials chemist and science communicator, at the University of Sheffield conducted some "citizen science" in 2016 to test this mechanism but there is no conclusive, rigorous evidence for it.[9]

Usage

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Companies that produce stainless steel soaps claim that the odors these foods cause result from sulfur, which turns into sulfuric acid upon washing the hands. The aim of the stainless steel soap is to then bind to the sulfur molecules, thus removing them and the associated smell from the hands.[1]

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Learn more about how you can use a stainless steel soap bar to effectively remove the scent of onion, garlic and fish from your skin after cooking.

Many of us have experienced the baffling feeling of finding a feature in our homes that we’re unfamiliar with. If you live in an older home, the chances of you finding home features that you don’t know how to use are even higher. This is because many antique houses have features that aren’t useful anymore. Encountering one of these leaves a modern-day homeowner scratching their head in confusion. However, some of these are still practical decades later—like the stainless steel soap bar.

If you’ve ever noticed a stainless steel oval mounted next to your sink and wondered why it’s there, you’re not alone. We’re clearing up the confusion around this helpful feature!

What Is a Stainless Steel Soap Bar?

A stainless steel soap bar is a helpful tool to have in your kitchen because it can help easily remove powerful, foul odors from your hands after cooking. Using the stainless steel soap bar is easy—simply wash your hands with it to easily dilute the strong fragrance of foods such as onion, garlic or even fish.

The key is to make sure you’re trying to remove the scent of foods that contain sulfur molecules. If you do so, you’ll find this product to be incredibly effective. All you have to do is use the bar in combination with cold water. Run your hands underneath the water with the bar for about 10 to 30 seconds, and you’re good to go.

So, how exactly does a stainless steel soap bar work? We’re glad you asked because it’s fascinating. The product is efficient because the odors of certain foods such as fish, onions and garlic contain sulfur molecules. When you cook with those foods, the molecules get transferred to the skin on your hands. The metal binds the molecules and transfers them away from your skin and onto the stainless steel soap bar. And ta-da! Your hands no longer reek like the foods you cooked with.

How Else Can I Remove Odors?

Here’s some great news: If your kitchen isn’t already equipped with this feature, you can easily purchase one online and toss it in a drawer so it’s accessible when you need it. However, if you don’t already have one and are wondering how else you can remove odors, we have a few suggestions.

If you don’t have a stainless steel soap bar, grab your lemon juice. You can effectively reduce the smell of onion, garlic and fish by giving your hands a hearty rinse with lemon juice. Another alternative is to soak your hands in milk. This works especially well if you’re attempting to get rid of a potent onion scent. Simply pour some milk into a bowl and place your hands inside.

Once you’ve removed odors from your skin, try these natural remedies to freshen up your kitchen—or any other room in your home that could use a boost!