Let’s not talk about how you get it in the first place. Rather, let’s focus on how to get gasoline smell out of clothes.
But is it difficult?
I would say it’s moderately difficult and you should not be using your washing machine for this purpose!
This article will take you through the easy and safe method of getting the gas smell out of clothes. Curious to discover this knowledge gem? Then, dive in with me.
Getting Gas Smell Out Of Clothes
It’s a multi-phases step to get that smell out of your clothes completely. I could suggest a shortcut but that won’t get the job done. So, read the 3 phases and try!
PRE-WASHING PHASE
You shouldn’t be too surprised that there is a pre-washing phase that you need to go through before you attempt to get rid of the stains.
The reason is quite apparent from our introduction. You clothe, or clothing has become explosive with the presence of gasoline on it.
Hence, it would help if you were careful with how you handle the outfit. Here are some pro-tips on the measures that you should follow.
For starters, you want to ensure that the detergent you would use would not discolor your outfit. While trying to get rid of one stain and smell, I mean, you wouldn’t want to create another stain. Awesome!
So, to see the impact that your choice of detergent might have on the clothing, you want to first try it on the part of the clothe or clothing that isn’t visible.
This check is essential so that if the detergent ends up discoloring that less visible part of the clothing, you’d readily swap it for a much safer detergent.
Also, by all means, avoid using a home dry cleaning kit. The reason? Cleaning chemicals mix with the high heat from your dryer could cause problems, especially with gasoline on the clothing.
If you’d instead take it to the dry cleaner, you need to explain the stain to the dry cleaner so they’ll know what to do.
If you dry your clothes with a dry cleaner, ensure that you’ve entirely gotten rid of the stain before you toss the clothing into the dryer.
If you’re not sure you’ve gotten rid of the stain, dry it the old-fashioned way; spread it outside.
YOU’LL NEED…
Essentials
- Water
- Stain remover stick, gel, or spray
- Paper Towel
- Washing Machine
- Dishwashing or Liquid Laundry detergent
Optional
- Baking Soda
- Ammonia
- Soft-bristled brush
- Vinegar
- Soaking Basin
Now that you have everything to get the job done, let’s get to business!
WASHING PHASE
I will show you multiple ways to remove the gasoline smell using various materials. You can apply anyone that deems fit. But read all the options first!
- Use Paper Towels or Cloth
Dry the gasoline on the clothing. If the stain is recent, chances are the spot of the stain is still wet. Hence, the first step you should carry out is to dry the gasoline.
Sure, you hate the smell of gas; who doesn’t? But it’s an essential phase in this process. An easy way to go about it is to use paper towels to extract the excess gasoline on the clothing.
If you don’t know how to do it using paper towels, you can use baking soda. It’s another way to drain the wet gasoline.
If you use paper towels or cloths to blot the gas, you should dispose of it properly to eliminate the risk of them starting a fire. A simple way to discard the paper towel or clothe is to first air dry it.
Then, toss them into a metal tin that has a seal. Don’t forget to make the paper towel or clothe damp with water. Seal the container, and voila!
You’re ready to dispose of it. You can do this immediately after completing the entire process to eliminate the gasoline stain on the clothing.
Or, you can do it immediately after blotting the gasoline. The ball is really in your court. Just ensure that you do not forget to dispose of the paper towel after use.
- Ammonia Comes in Handy too
The Ammonia solution. Another answer to how to get gasoline out of clothing is to deploy Ammonia. The only thing is, it is perfect for breaking and getting rid of heavy gasoline odors that still nest on the dress.
Fill the washer with warm water. Add a cup of household Ammonia. Close the washer, let the clothing soak in it overnight. Then, take it out, wash, and air-dry.
- Use Liquid Laundry Detergent or Liquid Dishwashing Soap
Another sure-fire way to remove gasoline stain and smell is to deploy liquid laundry detergent or dishwashing detergent.
When dealing with oily or greasy stains, these types of detergent are perfect. Luckily, gasoline stain falls in the slick and oily category. So, using liquid detergent makes a list.
Besides, liquid detergent has a very mild odor which is good. Using chemical detergents with odor would only ruin the clothing by making the smell worse.
That is why you must use liquid laundry detergent or dishwashing detergent with a mild odor. Now, apply two tablespoons of liquid detergent to the stain.
Then, holding the clothe with one hand, use the other hand to handle the bristled brush. Then, gently brush on the stain with the liquid detergent on the stain.
After brushing against the clothing, wait for five minutes. Prepare hot water and soak the clothing in the water. Ensure the hotness of the water is perfect for the fabrics of your clothes.
Allow the clothing to sit in the water for 30 minutes before taking it out of the water. You’ll see that you won’t see the stain again.
However, if you can’t hold the clothing for some reason, use a heavy-duty enzyme-based liquid detergent to pretreat the clothe. Then, go through with the rest of the process.
- Use Stain Remover to Pretreat the Stain
Apply stain remover on the stain to treat it. Note that you can’t use a regular stain remover. The stain remover you use has to be solvent-based for it to work.
The reason is that solvent-based stain removers work well with petroleum. Once applied, it breaks it up to become a lot easier to get rid of it.
Now, there is no specific solvent-based stain remover designed to break up petroleum on clothes or clothing. Any good stain remover that is solvent-based is perfect.
Luckily, there are a few good solvent-based stain removers in the market that’ll do the job well. It all just depends on how you apply and use it.
You heard me right! there’s a technique required when applying your stain remover, and it’s pretty simple.
After using the solvent-based remover, allow it to sit on the stain for 15 minutes or a bit more. Then, toss it into the washing machine to wash it.
Ensure that you know your fabric well because you’ll need to set the machine at the hottest temperature that is best for the material so that you don’t end up ruining the fabric.
Using hot water on the fabric is also a given because it plays a crucial role in completely removing the gasoline from the material.
POST WASHING PHASE
Yes, the smell can be stubborn and you may need an extra nudge to get rid of it. Here are some ways:
- Vinegar Works Too
The Vinegar solution. Sometimes, gasoline stains and smells can be stubborn. They can put up quite the fight when it drops on the clothing like it’s trying to leave its mark on the sands of time of the dress.
Trust me; I know how annoying and frustrating that is. So, it is not surprising to me if there is still a whiff of gasoline odor or smell on the clothing after trying the other methods.
That’s how tough and resistant gasoline stains are.
Now, the bone of contention becomes how to get the gas smell out of clothes entirely. Well, you can get rid of the lingering smell with the aid of vinegar. It’s a straightforward process.
Create a sufficient water and vinegar mix.
Then, toss the clothing into it and leave it to soak for some time. Air-dry it and check for the smell. If it’s still there, it sure won’t be as intense as it was before you did the vinegar soak.
Then, repeat the process till you achieve your desired result.
- Make a Baking Soda Paste or Soak
Baking soda paste or baking soda soak. This method comes in handy after you’ve washed the clothing, but there are stains and odor residue on it. Start by making a baking soda paste.
You’ll need two parts of baking soda mixed with one part of water. Once the consistency is thick like a paste, apply it on the spot of the stain.
Then, air dries the clothing with the baking soda paste on it. With the aid of a brush, start to scrub the baking soda off the clothing.
Feel free to repeat this method until you get the desired result if you can still see and smell the gasoline on the outfit.
If you ever get tired of repeating this process, consider soaking the entire clothing in a mix of baking soda and water.
At least a cup of baking soda is enough to submerge the clothing. Continue the baking soda soak or paste technique until the stain is no longer visible and the odor has faded away completely.
An Observation Before You Leave
We’ve all been there! At some point in time, we’ve spilled gasoline on our clothes. Or at least, we’ve probably spilled gasoline on our expensive carpet.
Now, getting rid of the smell seems like an arduous task, but it is, however, disturbing. Then, you think to yourself, what can you do about it?
Well, there are quite a few things you can do to rid your clothes, clothing, carpet, etc., of the gasoline smell as you have seen above.
Of course, you need to urgently get rid of the scent as it simply means that your outfit or mat that was the gasoline’s victim is not entirely clear.
That makes it dangerous as an attempt to toss it into your washing machine means you’re trying to start a fire. the gasoline smell alone is bad for you!
Why?
Gasoline is so sensitive that the smell on your clothes means the dress is highly flammable.
To avoid ugly incidents from occurring, you can get rid of the smell in a much safe way like I have mentioned above.
Before you go, I would strongly recommend watching this video.
Conclusion
Now that you have the secrets to how to get gasoline smell out of clothes, you can take back your clothes from the ugly claws of gasoline when it attempts to ruin them.
Note that the post-washing phase isn’t strictly necessary.
You should only resort to them if you still perceive the disturbing smell of gasoline. These methods come in handy when it comes to eliminating the odor thoroughly.
Also, you do not need to subject the clothing to all these methods.
Choose one and follow it up with one of the follow-up methods in the post-washing phase.
Ensure you pay attention to things like the hottest water temperature that’s ideal for the fabrics of the clothing, so you don’t end up ruining the clothing.
Take necessary caution while you try out these techniques, and you’ll sure thanks us later.
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