I discovered an amazing trick from my Spanish grandmother: she pours vinegar on fish before cleaning it. At first, I was completely surprised because I had never seen this before.  But after a few minutes, I understood why she does it, and I was really impressed by the results.  Now, I use this method myself, and I’m amazed by the benefits of vinegar. I’ll explain everything in the comments! 

Chances are, you’ve been cleaning fish incorrectly for years, spending a lot of time removing scales that fly everywhere. They land all over the kitchen, get stuck in the furniture, and may even end up on the ceiling. But this problem can be easily solved with a product you probably already have at home!

Let’s take the example of a 5 to 6-kilogram pike. If you’ve ever tried to clean such a fish, you know how challenging it can be: its tough scales fly in all directions. But here’s a simple solution!

My grandmother taught me a little trick that completely changed the way I clean fish. It’s using 9% vinegar!

Here’s how to do it:

Dry the fish: Before starting, make sure to dry the fish thoroughly. This will prevent it from slipping out of your hands while you clean it.

Apply vinegar: Put on gloves and pour a little vinegar onto your hands. Rub the fish with a light layer of vinegar. There’s no need to use too much—just enough to dampen the surface.

Let it sit: Leave it to sit for about 15-20 minutes to let the vinegar work its magic.

Why does this method work?

Vinegar contains acid (CH₃COOH), which weakens the bonds between the scales and the fish’s skin. This makes the scales more flexible and easier to remove.

You can simply use a knife or even rub the scales off with your hands, and they will come off effortlessly!

Other useful tips:

To prevent the fish from slipping during cleaning, place it on a damp cloth. It will stay in place.

Use a plastic bag or a newspaper to clean the fish. The scales will stay inside the bag and won’t scatter all over the kitchen.

If the fish smell lingers on your hands, rub them with lemon or baking soda to eliminate the odor.