How to Remove Gasoline Smell from Clothes Easily

Have you ever pumped gas or mow the lawn? After you do those activities, the gasoline often spills and leaves fumes or stains on clothes.

You need to take care of the cloth carefully since gasoline is highly flammable. A small stain will be easy to handle, but if the gasoline covers a wide area? You should use not only water and detergent.

Here are some tips to remove the smell from your clothes. Keep reading.

1. Let the Cloth Air Dry

Don’t dry the cloth using dryer because the heat will help set stains. Hanging the cloth outside for 12-24 hours will help dissipate the smell before you wash it with washing machine.

2. Remove the Smell (and Stain)

If you don’t have time to wait for 12-24 hours or if the smell is still too strong, there are some other ways:

Use White Vinegar Splash

Instead of air the cloth out, soak it in distilled white vinegar for more than an hour. Rinse it, and wash the cloth as usual with detergent. Vinegar is well-known for containing natural acid which can freshen difficult odors within clothing.

Use Baby Oil

Unfortunately, the smell of gasoline won’t go away unless you remove the stain. Baby oil helps! Pour baby oil on the stain and wash the cloth.

Use Baking Soda

Baking soda is one of the most famous powder used for its excellent absorption capability. Besides, it is cheap and easy to find.

To absorb the stain and smell, put a half cup of baking soda together with your detergent and the affected cloth in the washing machine.

Another method to use baking powder is by sprinkling the powder onto the stain and leave it for a few minutes. For some types of fabric, this process needs to be repeated.

Use Coffee Grounds

The strong scent of coffee could help neutralize the gasoline smell. Cover the stain with coffee grounds and let them for few hours. This also works on gasoline spills in cars or carpets.

Use Liquid Dish Soap

Rub two tablespoon of dish soap on the stain. Wait for five to ten minutes before soaking the cloth into hot water for 30 minutes.

The formula contained in dish soap is good for removing greasy and oily stains. To maximize the removal, use hot water that is safe for clothes.

3. Wash the Cloth Alone

Washing the stinky cloth with others will only spread the smell. Other clothes will be contaminated. Therefeore, always wash the stained and smelly cloth solo.

4. Don’t Use Dryer!

Using dryer is not recommended since it can be dangerous since the heat could trigger the gasoline which might be left in the cloth. Hanging it to dry is the best and safest choice. Remember that gasoline is easily burned.

If the smell still lingers, you may repeat the steps to wash again as necessary. After all, be aware of your surroundings and it is better to prevent before those things happen. If it does happen anyway, always take extra care of your clothes.