Getting gas on your clothes happens a lot. It needs quick and careful action right away. This isn’t just a normal stain; you’re dealing with a strong smell and a serious fire risk.
Don’t panic. You can solve this problem completely with the right steps.
We’ll show you a safe, proven way to remove the gasoline stain and smell using things you probably have at home. Your clothes and your home will be safe again.
Critical Safety Warning: What NOT to Do With Gasoline-Soaked Clothes
Before you do anything, you need to know what not to do. Making these common mistakes can cause a fire or damage your washing machine permanently. Your safety comes first.
We can’t stress this enough. Always follow these warnings.
- ❌ DO NOT put gasoline-stained clothes directly in the washing machine. This won’t fix the problem. It will spread flammable residue throughout your machine, which can get on future loads of laundry.
- ❌ DO NOT put gasoline-stained clothes in the dryer. Never do this. Even after washing, remaining fumes can catch fire from the dryer’s heat, causing a fire or explosion. Many household fires start this way, according to official fire safety warnings.
- ❌ DO NOT wash gasoline-soaked clothes with other laundry. The gas and its strong smell will spread to all your other clothes, making a small problem much bigger.
- ❌ DO NOT use direct heat like a hairdryer to dry the spot. This concentrates the flammable vapors and greatly increases the chance of a fire.
The 5-Step Method to Remove Gasoline Stains and Odors
Now that you understand the risks, here’s the solution. This five-step method breaks down the oily gasoline, removes the smell, and safely cleans your clothes.
Step 1: Air It Out Immediately
First, take off the clothing and hang it up to air out. The best place for this is outdoors on a clothesline or in a well-aired garage, away from heat, flames, or direct sunlight.
Gasoline evaporates easily. Letting it air out allows the most flammable parts to evaporate naturally. This makes the clothes safer and reduces the smell you’ll need to tackle later. Let the clothes hang for at least 24 hours if possible.
Step 2: Blot, Don’t Rub
After the clothing has aired and feels dry, lay it flat. Take an old rag or paper towels and gently blot the stained area.
Remember to blot only, not rub. Rubbing pushes the oily gas deeper into the fabric, making it harder to remove. You just want to lift any remaining residue from the surface.
The rags or paper towels you use are now hazardous waste. Don’t throw them in the regular trash. Put them in a sealed plastic bag and find out how to safely dispose of them according to your local rules.
Step 3: Pre-Treat with a Cleaning Agent
This is where you start to break down the gasoline itself. You need a cleaner that can cut through oil.
We’ll cover the best options in detail soon. For now, just apply your chosen cleaner directly to the stain.
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Step 4: The Essential Soak
After pre-treating, soak the garment to further break down the gas and remove lingering smells.
Fill a bucket or tub with the hottest water safe for your clothing. Add one or two cups of white vinegar and stir the water.
Put the stained item completely in the solution. Make sure it’s fully wet. Let it soak for at least one hour. For big spills or strong odors, soak it for two or three hours.
Step 5: Wash and Air Dry
Now you can use the washing machine. Wash the item by itself. Don’t add any other clothes.
Use a strong laundry detergent made for tough stains. Set your machine to the hottest water safe for the fabric and use the longest wash cycle.
After washing, you must AIR DRY the item. Hang it outside or on an indoor rack. Never put it in the clothes dryer. Once it’s completely dry, smell it to make sure no gasoline odor remains.
Comparing the Cleaning Agents: What Works Best and Why?
Understanding different cleaners helps you choose the right one. Gasoline is made of oil. You need something that either dissolves oil, neutralizes odors, or both.
Here are the most effective household options:
| Cleaning Agent | How It Works | Best For | How to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baking Soda | A mild alkali that absorbs oils and neutralizes acidic odors in fabric. | Light spills and as a first attack on strong odors. | Make a thick paste with water, apply to the stain, let dry (about 30 minutes), then scrape off before soaking. |
| White Vinegar | An acid that breaks down petroleum compounds and neutralizes smells. | Soaking the whole garment to fight widespread odors. | Add 1-2 cups to hot water for a pre-wash soak. You can also add a cup to the wash cycle. |
| Degreasing Dish Soap | Made to break down grease and oil, very effective against gasoline. | Spot-treatment to break down the stain before soaking or washing. | Apply a small amount of a good brand (like Dawn) directly to the stain. Work it in gently and let it sit. |
For best results, use a combination: Spot-treat the stain with degreasing dish soap, then soak the whole garment in vinegar and hot water before washing.
Troubleshooting Guide: When the Smell Just Won’t Go Away
Sometimes, especially with heavy spills, one cleaning isn’t enough. Don’t worry, you can still solve the problem. Here’s what to do if issues persist.
What If a Faint Smell Remains After Washing?
First, don’t panic and don’t use the dryer. A faint smell means some residue is still there, and it’s still a fire hazard.
Just repeat the process. The stain is weaker but not gone. Do a second pre-soak (Step 4), maybe for a few more hours this time. Then wash the item by itself again (Step 5) and air dry it. Be patient.
Help! I Already Put the Clothes in the Washer and/or Dryer.
This is serious but fixable.
If you used the washer only: Clean your washing machine first. Run an empty cycle on the hottest setting. Add two cups of white vinegar and a half-cup of baking soda directly to the drum to remove any flammable residue. Take the clothes outside to air out, then start our cleaning guide from Step 1.
If you used the dryer: This is very dangerous. The heat has likely “baked” the stain and smell into the fabric. Take the clothes outside immediately to air out for at least 24 hours. Removal is harder but still possible. Follow Steps 3-5 carefully, probably several times. Also clean your washer as described above.
The Gasoline Smell is Now in My Washing Machine. What Do I Do?
If your washing machine smells like gasoline, clean it before doing any other laundry to prevent spreading the problem.
- Run a Cleaning Cycle: Run an empty cycle on the hottest water setting. Add two cups of white vinegar and a half-cup of baking soda directly to the washer drum.
- Wipe & Air Out: After the cycle, use a cloth with more white vinegar to wipe the inside of the drum, the door, and especially the rubber gasket where residue can hide. Leave the washer door open for several hours to air out.
Final Check and Future Prevention
You’ve done the work, but one last check is crucial.
The Sniff Test: Once the clothing is completely air-dried, smell the stained area. If you detect even a hint of gasoline, it is not safe. The item must be cleaned again. Only when there is absolutely no smell can the garment be used normally.
To avoid this problem in the future:
- Be careful when filling cars, lawnmowers, or other equipment.
- Store and handle gasoline in well-aired areas, away from living spaces.
- Consider wearing a work apron or old clothes when handling gasoline.
FAQ
- How quickly should I treat clothes after getting gasoline on them?
Treat gasoline-stained clothes immediately by taking them off and hanging them outdoors to air out for at least 24 hours before beginning the cleaning process. - Can I put gasoline-stained clothes directly in the washing machine?
No, never put gasoline-stained clothes directly in the washing machine as this spreads flammable residue throughout your machine and onto future loads. - What household products work best to get gasoline out of clothes?
Baking soda, white vinegar, and degreasing dish soap are the most effective household products to get gasoline out of clothes, with dish soap being ideal for spot treatment. - How many times should I wash clothes to get gasoline out completely?
You may need to repeat the cleaning process 2-3 times for heavy gasoline spills, always air-drying between washes and never using the dryer until all odor is gone. - Is it possible to get gasoline smell out of clothes after they’ve been through the dryer?
Yes, but it’s more difficult after using the dryer. Air the clothes outdoors for 24 hours, then repeat the 5-step cleaning process several times, using stronger soaking solutions.
