How to Get Fuel Oil Smell Out of Clothes

The presence of fuel oil can leave odors and stains on your clothing and if not treated properly, the smell may never go away. Fuel oil is very strong smelling so it will take time to remove the odor from your clothing. It is best to treat the stain while it’s still fresh. If you allow the stain to soak in, it may become impossible to remove.

Can you get the fuel oil smell out of clothes?

Yes, it is possible to get the fuel smell out of clothes. You don’t have to throw out your clothes if they have absorbed a fuel oil smell. Fuel oil is a petroleum product that contains several volatile organic compounds such as benzene and toluene, which give it its unpleasant odor.

What gets fuel oil smell out of clothes

Fuel oil odors can be challenging to remove from clothes, but if you have a few household items at your disposal, you can get the job done. Baking soda and vinegar, ammonia, and eucalyptus oil are all known for their odor-fighting power. Coke and rubbing alcohol are also commonly used to remove fuel oil smells.

how to get fuel oil smell out of clothes

Dishwashing detergent

1. Remove the garment from the body, shake it outside and place it in a well-ventilated area that is free from any flammable materials and sources of heat.
2. Pretreat the stain with detergent or stain remover and wash as normal, according to the care label’s instructions.
3. If there is still a fuel oil odor, place the garment in a bucket filled with cold water, along with 1 cup of baking soda. Soak for at least half an hour before washing again as normal.
4. Repeat this process if necessary until you have removed all traces of the fuel oil odor and stains.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Using baking soda and vinegar is a great natural way to get your clothes smelling fresh again.

Steps to Remove the Smell of Fuel Oil:

1. Spread the clothing item out on a flat surface. Sprinkle some baking soda on the affected area.
2. Let the baking soda sit for 15 minutes, then vacuum up the baking soda to remove any excess residue.
3. Blot white vinegar onto the stained area using a sponge or cloth. Let the area sit for 5 minutes, then rinse with cold water.
4. After, run it again on a normal cycle with hot water, but this time add 2 cups of distilled white vinegar.

Coke and Baking Soda

Coca-cola and baking soda offer another way to remove the oil from clothing. 

1. Pour cola into a washbasin or bucket and add baking soda. Submerge the clothes into the mixture and let them soak for several hours.
2. Rinse the stain with water and repeat the process if necessary.
3. Wash your clothes in warm water. You may need to run them through the wash a couple of times with lots of detergents before the smell is completely gone.

Rubbing Alcohol and Baking Soda

Rubbing alcohol and baking soda together. The baking soda will pull the stain out of the fabric, while the rubbing alcohol will break up any remaining fuel oil and remove it from your clothing. Do this as soon after you get the fuel oil on your clothing as possible.

1. Sprinkle baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) on the affected area. 
2. Pour rubbing alcohol on the baking soda. 
3. Let this sit for an hour or two, then rinse it out with water. 

Ammonia

Ammonia does a fantastic job of removing stains from clothing. You’ll need to mix either ammonia with water and soak the clothing in the solution for about an hour. 

• Fill a bucket with 1 quart of water and 1/2 cup of ammonia. 
• Place the clothes in the bucket and let them sit for a few hours. 
• Remove the clothes from the bucket, rinse them in cold water and wash as usual. 
• The smell should be gone.

How to get fuel oil smell off hands

Water and lemon juice

You can use a mixture of water and lemon juice to get rid of the smell of oil on your hands. Lemon juice is one of the best natural cleaners, and it is especially good at getting rid of odors. It contains an acid that will eat away the smell on your hands.

Use hand sanitizer

Hand sanitizers are also effective in getting rid of the smell from your hands. They contain alcohol, which helps in neutralizing the smell from your hands. Use hand sanitizers that contain tea tree oil, as this has antibacterial properties that will help in fighting any bacteria that may be present on your skin.

Use white vinegar

White vinegar is also effective for getting rid of the smell from your hands after handling fuel oil. The acetic acid content in white vinegar helps in neutralizing the smell from your hands. You can use white vinegar as a soak or even as a spray on your hands.

Add salt to dishwashing soap

If you use dishwashing detergent to wash off your hands after handling fuel oil, you can add salt to enhance its effectiveness in getting rid of the smell. Salt absorbs moisture and therefore can be used to absorb any grease remaining on your skin.

How to get rid of diesel smell in house

You can use simple household products to remove the odor of fuel oil from your hands. The steps and ingredients are below.

1. Combine hot water, baking soda, washing soda, ammonia, and vinegar in a big pot.
2. Put on gloves and mix the solution together with a large spoon.
3. Dip your hands into the solution and rub them together for three minutes.
4. Rinse your hands thoroughly with cold water.
5. Repeat if necessary until you cannot smell fuel oil on your hands.
6. Clean the area where the diesel was spilled by pouring some of the solutions onto a rag or sponge and rubbing it onto the affected area. 
7. Wait 15 minutes before wiping off any excess solution, then rinse with cold water.