How To Get Gasoline Out Of Clothes: Ultimate Guide 2024

Not everyone knows how to get gasoline out of clothes, although gasoline stains are one of the most common stains nowadays.

Gasoline spills are incredibly annoying to deal with. Even when the stains are properly removed, the gasoline smell can still linger on your clothes. Additionally, it can be dangerous to work with gasoline-soaked garments since they are now flammable.

But no need to worry! Give this post a read, and you shall know the right ways to remove gasoline stains and smell. Let’s dive right in!

How To Pretreat Fresh Gasoline Stains

The trick to successfully getting rid of gasoline stains is to treat them as soon as you can. If you let the stains sit for too long, they will become harder and harder to remove. Follow these steps below to pretreat gasoline stains properly.

Step 1: Blot It

If the gasoline stain is still new, the first thing you need to do is to discard the excess gasoline immediately. Use a clean cloth to blot the fuel, do not wipe because it can spread to other parts of your clothes.

Do not throw the used cloth directly in the trash because gasoline is combustible. Instead, hang the cloth to dry outside. Once it is completely dry, dampen the cloth with water, place it in a disposable container and discard it.

Step 2: Apply Baking Soda (Or Coffee Grounds)

Sprinkle baking soda or coffee grounds on the stained area and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes. The baking soda/ coffee grounds will soak up the remaining residue and neutralize the smell.

Step 3: Rinse It

Dust off the baking soda or coffee grounds. Give your clothes a rinse and let it air-dry for 24 hours. Now, you can move on to the next steps.

6 Methods On Getting Gasoline Stains Out Of Clothes

In this section, you can find out 6 methods to deal with gasoline stains on clothes. Many products can be used to treat gasoline stains, so just choose the one available to you.

1. Dish Soap/ Mechanic’s Hand Soap

Liquid dish soap is one of the best products that you can use. After all, it is designed to treat greasy and oily stains.

A better alternative to liquid dish soap is mechanic soap, typically used to remove oily residue from skin. You can find this at a hardware or department store. Choose the one that contains lanolin for the best results.

Step 1: Apply Soap

Pour about 2 spoonfuls of dish soap or mechanic soap directly on the stain. Brush it with a toothbrush to work the soap further in the fabric. Then let it sit for 5 minutes.

Step 2: Soak It

Soak the clothes in a sink filled with hot water for 30 minutes. If you are working with clothes that have delicate fabric, switch to warm or cool water.

Step 3: Wash It

Place the garment in the washing machine along with your favorite detergent. Remember not to wash gasoline-soaked clothing with other garments since the smell can spread.

Check the label on the garment and choose the hottest water setting that is safe for your clothes. Hot water can sometimes damage the fabric.

Step 4: Dry It

Do not dry the clothes in your tumble dryer. The gas fumes can linger on your clothes and lead to a fire. If you can, hang your clothes under the sun for better results.

2. Laundry Detergent

Laundry detergent, specifically enzyme-based liquid detergent, is excellent for removing gasoline stains. You can also use powder detergent, but it won’t be as effective.

Step 1: Apply Detergent

Just like before, cover the stain with 2 tablespoons of liquid detergent and let it sit for a few minutes. While you wait, take a toothbrush and scrub the stained area.

Step 2: Soak It

Soak your clothes in a sink or bucket filled with hot water. Let it soak for about 30 minutes before moving on.

Step 3: Wash It

Wash your clothes in the washing machine using the same detergent. Don’t wash it with other clothing because your whole load will smell like gasoline.

Step 4: Dry It

To reduce the risk of fire, don’t tumble dry your clothes. Hang them under direct sunlight if that option is available to you. If not, just hang them on a drying rack.

3. Baking Soda

Not only is it a must in many baking recipes, but baking soda is also well-known for its ability to remove stains.

Step 1: Apply Baking Soda

Mix baking soda with water to form a paste (2:1 ratio). You also use white distilled vinegar instead of water to boost its stain-removing ability. Apply the paste to the stain and let it sit.

If the stain is too big, you can soak the clothes with baking soda instead of making a paste. Mix water with 1 cup of baking soda in your sink. Then submerge the garment in the solution and allow it to soak for 1 hour or overnight.

Step 2: Wash It

Afterward, rinse the clothes off and wash them separately in the washing machine with your detergent of choice.

Step 3: Dry It

Avoid tumble drying your clothes. Drying your clothes outside is recommended.

4. Stain Remover

Solvent-based stain removal products will do a fantastic job at getting rid of gasoline stains from clothes. You can also replace it with dry-cleaning fluid, but this is not as accessible as stain remover.

Step 1: Apply Stain Remover

Cover the stained area with stain remover and let it sit for about 15 minutes. It will break up the gasoline residue, making the washing process more successful.

Step 2: Wash It

Rinse off the residue and stain remover and put it in the washer. Choose the hottest water temperature that is safe for your clothes and give it a spin.

Step 3: Dry It

Again, do not tumble dry your clothes. Hang it on a drying rack or outdoors.

5. Vinegar

For the next method, you will need some vinegar, more specifically, white distilled vinegar. When you use vinegar for cleaning purposes, avoid using the ones with color to avoid staining. For example, balsamic vinegar can turn your clothes brown ⁽¹⁾.

Step 1: Soak It With Vinegar

Pour hot water in your sink and mix in 1 cup of white distilled vinegar. Soak your clothes in the mixture for 30 minutes or so.

Step 2: Wash It

Wash your clothes alone in the washing machine with the hottest water setting. Optionally, you can add 1 more cup of vinegar to the washer to further eliminate the fuel odor. Recheck the stained area after washing and repeat the steps if needed.

Step 3: Dry It

Once the stain is completely gone, hang your clothes indoors or outdoors and allow it to dry.

6. Baby Oil

Not many people are aware of this, but baby oil can actually lift gasoline stains. So if you happen to have a bottle of baby oil in your house, have a look at these steps.

Step 1: Apply Baby Oil

Pour a bit of baby oil directly on the stain and massage it with your fingers. Don’t let it sit for too long because dried baby oil might stain your clothes.

Step 2: Wash It

Put it right in the washing machine. Use the hottest water setting and your favorite detergent, then run a cycle.

Alternatively, you can skip the last step and wash your clothes with a rag soaked in baby oil.

Step 3: Dry It

Allow your clothes to air dry. Do not use the tumble dryer.

Here’s a lively demonstration on getting gasoline stains out of clothes!

6 Ways To Get Rid Of Gasoline Smell On Clothes

Sometimes, the worst thing about spilling gasoline on your clothes is not the stains but the nasty fuel odor.

Gasoline smell is very stubborn and difficult to eliminate. If the gasoline smell still lingers on your clothes after washing, have a look at these tips for some suggestions:

1. Baking Soda

Not only can baking soda remove stains, but it also can eliminate the gasoline odor with ease.

Grab a big sealable plastic bag and pour a generous amount of baking soda into it. Then put your clothes inside and seal the bag. Allow the baking soda to absorb and eliminate all of the gasoline odor from your clothes overnight.

When it is done, wash it with the hottest water setting that is safe for the fabric and air dry it.

2. Ammonia

Ammonia is another great option. Simply add ¼ cup of ammonia and detergent into your washing machine. Then drop your clothes in it and wash them.

Remember not to use bleach if you’ve already used ammonia. Mixing bleach and ammonia can be deadly ⁽²⁾

3. Hydrogen Peroxide

Besides ammonia, hydrogen peroxide is also a fantastic substitute for bleach.

Dilute ½ cup of hydrogen peroxide with water and soak your clothes in the mixture for 15 minutes. Then wash your clothes in the washing machine with any detergent.

Similar to ammonia, you should never mix bleach with hydrogen peroxide since they will create toxic oxygen gas.

4. Mineral Oil

Mineral oil can help remove gasoline odors too! Just add a few drops of oil directly on the stained area and rub it gently. Then rinse your clothes and wash them in the washing machine. Don’t let the oil sit on your clothes for too long since dried mineral oil can stain clothes.

5. Orange Cleaner

Adding orange cleaner to the load can also lift the fuel smell from your clothes. You can find it at any supermarket. This product works very well since, after all, it is designed to eliminate stains and smells left behind by gasoline, oil, and other mechanical fluids.

6. Coca-Cola

Sounds odd? Yes, it is. But the highly acidic properties in Coca-Cola can help break down gasoline traces and get rid of the smell.

Soak your clothes in a sink filled with cold water, 2 cans of Coca-Cola, and 1 cup of baking soda. Leave it for a few hours or overnight. Afterward, rinse it well and wash it like usual.

Learn more about removing gasoline odor from clothes with this!

What You Should Never Do When Dealing With Gasoline Stains

Gasoline stains are not only stubborn, they can also be a fire hazard. So beware of these little reminders when handling gasoline-soaked clothes.

1. Letting The Stain Sit For Too Long

The longer you let it sit, the more difficult it is to clean it off afterward. You must blot out the excess gasoline and pretreat it with baking soda for the best results.

2. Washing Clothes With Other Laundry Items

Please ensure that you’re washing the stained clothes alone. Gasoline residue can stain any clean materials added to your wash load, so keep them separate!

3. Drying Clothes In The Tumble Dryer

NEVER put gasoline-stained clothes in the dryer, even when the stain is gone. Not only would this set the stain, but it might also spark a fire if any gases remain owing to the dryer’s heat and electricity ⁽³⁾.

4. Using Hot Water To Treat Clothes With Delicate Fabric

To remove bad smells from clothes, people often use hot water. However, hot water can ruin clothes with delicate materials. Always check the labels on your clothing to be sure they can handle the heat.

FAQs

Have a look at these frequently asked questions for more information about this topic. And if you have more concerns, feel free to leave them in the comment section below.

Say Bye-Bye To Gasoline Stains!

Gasoline stains and smells can be such a pain to deal with. But with the right products and guidance, you can handle this problem with ease.

With all the methods provided in this article, I hope gasoline stains will no longer be a major concern to you.

Do you have any more useful hacks to remove gasoline stains? Leave them in a comment down below. Also, give this article a like and share if you enjoy it. Have a great day and take care!

Reference

1. Healthline, 2019. How to Clean Laundry with Vinegar: 8 Earth-Friendly Uses and Benefits.
2. Healthline, 2020. Why You Should Never Mix Bleach and Ammonia.
3. U.S. Fire Administration, 2019. Clothes Dryer Fire Safety Outreach Materials.