Something fishy this way comes...

...and yikes! It sure does stink. That's the thing about fish, though. You can sometimes smell it before you even see it, and it's difficult to enjoy your meal when your home smells like the cargo hold of a fish trawler.

But don't worry. Before you can say "Holy mackerel!" you'll be bragging about the smell that got away--and that's not a fish story.

Before you begin

Accept the fact that if you're cooking fish, then it's going to smell like fish--it doesn't matter if the fish is fresh, canned or frozen. On the other hand, you don't want strong smells hanging around for hours after you've eaten. What can you do? Work step by step, minimizing the spread of the smell where you can, and removing the remaining smells as you go.

Your response to a fishy smell depends on where you got the fish. Did you catch it yourself? If so, see below for special advice. If you're opening a can or thawing some fillets, you've got packaging to deal with. No matter what form the fish is in, you'll have utensils and cooking containers to clean up. And inevitably, your hands will smell of fish. Last but not least, the cooking of the fish will add a fishy smell to the air.

Special advice for those who catch their own fish

The smells associated with a great day at your favourite fishing hole are now in your clothes. It's best to get them cleaned up right away, to prevent the smell from getting stronger and stinking up your home.

• Pre-soak the offending garments in cold water; then add a cup (about 250 g) of baking soda to the wash to help remove the smells. (Important: Don't add chlorine bleach to the wash when you use baking soda. Mixing these creates a bad chemical reaction.)

• If you store rubber boots and waders inside your home, rinse off them with soapy water, and then vinegar, and leave them outside to air-dry.

• Don't forget to take a shower. You were wearing those clothes!