How to Get Rid of the Smell of Spilled Gasoline

The smell of gasoline can permeate anything it touches, leaving an unpleasant odor that can last for days. Inhaling theses fumes over a long period can have adverse effects on your health, so it is important to clean up the spill and eradicate the odor as soon as possible. This can easily be accomplished with many common household items.

Things You'll Need

  • Rags
  • Baby oil
  • Laundry detergent
  • Water
  • Bucket
  • Washing machine
  • Vinegar
  • Baking soda
  • Steam cleaner or shop vac
  • Vacuum cleaner

Eliminating the Smell From Clothing and Other Garments

  • Use baby oil to eliminate gasoline odor. Rub the baby oil directly onto the stain, letting it saturate the fabric. Soak your clothing overnight in a mixture of baby oil, water and laundry detergent. Machine wash separately, and allow to air-dry.

  • Use vinegar to eliminate gasoline odor. Allow your garment to air-dry outside before putting it in the washing machine with 1 cup of vinegar. Wash your garment a second time with laundry detergent to eliminate the vinegar smell.

  • Use baking soda to eliminate gasoline odor. Put your garment in a sealed bag with several tablespoons of baking soda. Set the bag aside for 2 to 3 days to allow the baking soda to penetrate the fabric. Machine wash separately with a small amount of baking soda and your regular laundry detergent.

Eliminating the Smell From Carpets and Larger Surface Areas

  • Scrub the affected area with a rag to remove any excess liquid.

  • Mix a vinegar and hot water solution in a bucket. Apply it to the carpet, and let it soak in for about 5 minutes.

  • Use a steam cleaner or a shop vac to clean the area.

  • Allow the area to dry before covering it with a light layer of baking soda. Let the baking soda sit for 8 to 10 hours before vacuuming it up.