Gasoline smell is a pungent, strong chemical odor. Gasoline often spills on clothes when you fill up the gas tank, fix the car, or use gasoline-powered tools. It’s easy to get it on, but hard to get it off. The gasoline smell clings to our clothes. The strong odor lingers, even after washing with water.
Today, I will teach you a few ways to wash away the gasoline smell, so you don’t have to go to the dry cleaner; you can do it at home!
1. Why the Gasoline Smell Doesn’t Dissipate Easily
The gasoline smell is hard to get rid of because of its chemical makeup and volatile nature.
Gasoline is a very volatile chemical. It contains organic compounds (VOCs) that evaporate quickly into the air. When gasoline stains clothes, the fabric traps these substances. After evaporating, the chemicals soak deep into the fibers, causing a long-lasting odor.
Gasoline has a complex composition and stable chemical structure. This makes it easy for it to stick to materials. When these chemicals evaporate at room temperature, it becomes even harder to remove. Gasoline is essentially an oily liquid, and the grease will bind tightly to the fibers. Even after washing, the remaining grease in the fabric will continue to release odor. The longer gasoline stays on the clothes, the more its molecules bind to the fibers. This makes the odor even harder to remove. This is why persistent gasoline odor requires multiple washes.
2. How to Get Rid of Gasoline Odor from Clothes
Ventilation and Drying
First, hang the clothes in a well-ventilated area. Outdoors is best to help remove most of the gasoline odor. Be careful to avoid direct exposure to sunlight to prevent fading or damaging the fabric. Gasoline’s volatility lets its odor escape quickly into the air. The wind carries it away, removing most of the smell.
As mentioned earlier, the longer gasoline stays on your clothes, the harder it is to remove. A short air-drying period lets the gasoline odor evaporate. This makes it easier to wash out later. The drying time depends on the severity of the gasoline odor:
- For mild odors, hang the clothes in a well-ventilated place for about 1-2 hours. By now, some volatile substances have evaporated, and the odor is weaker. This makes cleaning more effective.
- For medium-strength odors, 4-6 hours of ventilation is recommended. It is best to hang the clothes outdoors to ensure adequate air circulation. If the weather permits, drying in the sun will help speed up evaporation.
- For strong odors, it may take 8 hours or more to ventilate. In this case, it is best to hang the clothes in a windy area or use an electric fan to assist with ventilation. If you are indoors, make sure the windows are open and the air is circulating smoothly.
Baking Soda Adsorption
Baking soda is porous, with tiny pores on its particles. These pores can trap gas molecules, including the volatile compounds in gasoline. Some components of gasoline, like aromatic hydrocarbons and solvents, are slightly acidic. Baking soda is weakly alkaline. It neutralizes these acids, reducing the odor’s strength and making it less volatile. Sprinkle baking soda directly on the smelly part of your clothes and let it sit for 15-30 minutes. Most of the odor will be adsorbed.
White Vinegar Soaking
If the first two methods don’t fully remove the gasoline odor, soak the clothes in white vinegar. Mix white vinegar with water in a 1:1 ratio and soak the clothes in the mixture for 15-30 minutes. White vinegar has weak acidity. It can neutralize the alkaline substances in gasoline, reducing their volatility. White vinegar is also volatile, so it helps carry away some of the gasoline odor molecules.
The gasoline smell is hard to remove because of its volatile compounds and oily nature. The odor sticks to fabrics and continues to release over time. To remove the gasoline smell, begin by airing out the clothes. A well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors, works best. This will help get rid of most of the odor. The longer the clothes are exposed to gasoline, the harder it is to remove the smell. For stronger odors, air-dry for several hours. Baking soda absorbs odors, while white vinegar neutralizes gasoline’s acidity. Both help eliminate the smell. Multiple washes or treatments may be necessary for persistent odors.