The smell can linger even when you think the stain is visibly gone.
It’s recommended you hand-wash the item going forward since gasoline lingering in the fibers is a fire hazard.
Never dry the fabric in a dryer.
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Otherwise, use anindoor drying rack.
Warning
Use PPE (personal protective equipment) when handling clothes, preferably nitrile disposable gloves.
Latex and vinyl disposable gloves do not hold up when exposed to petroleum products such as gasoline.
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Ensure you prevent flammable towels or cloths used for blotting from starting a fire.
Set out the cloth or towel to air dry.
Flammable gas fumes will dissipate in the open air.
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Discard it with your trash.
Apply Baking Soda
Applybaking sodato absorb gasoline from a wet spot on your clothing.
An alternate pretreatment option is dish soap or detergent.
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Liquid dish soap, especially the Dawn brand, is designed to remove greasy and oily stains.
If you do not have it, pretreat with anenzyme-based heavy-duty liquid detergent.
This will smell, so shut the lid.
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Soak for several hours or overnight.
Then, drain and wash as usual using the hottest water possible for the fabric.
Never usechlorine bleachor detergents containing chlorine with ammonia.
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This mixture makes a dangerous form of chlorine gas that produces toxic fumes.
The best method is to hand-wash these items until the stain is completely out.
Fill a sink or basin with the hottest water safe for the fabric.
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Add a mild, gentle detergent.
Hang them up to dry if dealing with delicates, or toss in the dryer on a gentle cycle.
Check the clothing for odor and stains after washing.
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If any remain,try baking soda, vinegar, or both.
Allow it to air dry, then brush the baking soda off the fabric.
This step can be repeated until the gasoline is fully removed.
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Wash, rinse, and check for odor.
Repeat if necessary until the stain is entirely gone.
If you still have any gasoline smell left, tryvinegarand water soak for 30 minutes.
This is an excellentnatural option to remove stains.
Repeat the vinegar soak as needed.
Can You Remove a Gasoline Stain from Clothes That Have Already Been Washed?
These steps should remove gas stains and odors.
When to Call a Professional
These methods should remove the stain and odor.
If the stain is big or continues to linger after trying these methods, seek help from professional cleaners.
If the item is dry-clean-only, immediately take it to a professional dry cleaner.
Discuss the stain with them so they can use safe cleaning procedures.
Using ahome dry cleaning kiton these stains is unsafe.
Cleaning chemicals and the dryer’s high heat can interact with the gasoline.
If left untreated, gasoline is an oil-based stain that leaves a mark on clothing.
However, if treated quickly, it can come out of clothing.
Gasoline can be removed from clothing with persistence.
Allow the item to air out since gasoline evaporates when exposed to air.
Also, soak the items in oil-busting detergents like dish soap or heavy-duty laundry solutions.
Baking soda and vinegar can also help remove gasoline and its odor.
Clothes Dryer Fire Safety Outreach Materials.United States Fire Administration.
