If you had recently just made contact with gasoline, then you are probably looking for how to get gas smell off hands. The smell of gas on your hands and clothes is not only disgusting to you alone but everyone around you.
And except you are an auto mechanic, carrying this smell around should very much affect how great you feel about yourself.
There are several techniques on how to get gas smell off hands, and if you have tried any of the ones you know and nothing has changed, then it is time to try something else.
The methods described in this article are universal and have helped many people get the gas smell off their hands. We will also see some easy ways of neutralizing the smell of gas, how long it takes the smell to get off, and why it may be a terrible idea to wash our hands with gasoline.
How to Get Gas Smell off Hands
Aside from the unappealing smell of gas on your hands, the smell is also toxic to inhale and can easily make you feel light-headed.
The great news is most of the items you would need when looking for how to get gas smell off hands are everyday ingredients that are often found at home.
So, follow any of these methods to get rid of that smell for good:
Using White Vinegar
This method is incredibly potent because white vinegar has a sharp and pungent distinct smell that can quickly neutralize the smell of gas.
Step 1: Pour the white vinegar on your hands.
Be generous with this and pour it enough to cover your entire fingers and palms. Make sure both your hands are covered in the solvent. And if you suspect that the gas might have touched some parts of your upper arm, pour the vinegar to that area as well.
Step 2: Rub the white vinegar in
Once the vinegar has touched every part of your hands, proceed to rub the vinegar vigorously quickly. Massage it in for about 30 to 45 seconds for the best results. This will allow the vinegar to interact with the gas to break its bonds, hence quickly dissipating it.
Step 3: Wash off the vinegar.
Upon proper massaging of the white vinegar and once you are satisfied that it has covered every touch of the gasoline, you can proceed to a running tap to wash off the vinegar.
You will need to continue to wash it off under a running faucet until you can no longer feel or smell the vinegar on your skin.
Then go ahead and give those hands a thorough drying. The vinegar should be gone by now, and the smell of gas with it.
Using Lemon Juice
Unlike white vinegar, which has a pungent smell that many people can’t stand, lemon juice has a lovely smell, yet it is just as effective.
Therefore, this method is usually for those who can’t stand the smell of white vinegar.
Step 1: Make a mixture.
Cut open some lemons, then squeeze out the juice. Once you have extracted enough juice, fetch some water and make a juice mixture with the water.
It is always advisable to mix an equal amount of water and lemon juice for the best possible results.
Step 2: Pour the mixture into your hands.
Just like you did with the vinegar, pour a generous amount of the lemon juice solution into your hands and make sure it covers every part and corner of your hands.
Step 3: Rub the mixture properly
Once you have gotten full coverage of the solution, the next step is to massage it into your skin vigorously. Continue to massage until the only smell you can perceive is the lemon juice. This indicates that the solution has broken down the gasoline, and it is ready to come off now.
Step 4: Rinse your hands.
Rinse your hands using running water and soap. However, using soap is optional, seeing that lemon juice has a pleasing smell, and you may want to retain some of it.
Finally, properly dry your hands with a clean towel.
Using Vanilla Extract
Vanilla is also often used because of its unique aroma and is usually used by those searching for how to get gas smell off hands but can’t stand the smell of vinegar.
Step 1: Create a mixture
Pour in about four drops of vanilla extract into a clean bowl, then add half a cup of water. Stir nicely and allow setting.
You can add more drops of the extract if you think the smell isn’t up to par.
Step 2: Pour the vanilla solution into your hands.
Once you are pleased with what you have mixed, you can proceed to apply a generous quantity to your palms and fingers. Spread it all over to ensure it covers the areas with the smell of gas.
Step 3: Massage the solution
Immediately you have covered all the surfaces of your hands; you will need to massage the mixture into your skin for about 30 seconds.
You can also continue to rub it in until all you can perceive is the vanilla smell, and you can’t smell the gasoline anymore.
Step 4: Wash your hands.
Apply enough soap to your hands once you see the gasoline smell has worn off and wash with running water.
But because vanilla has an attractive smell, you do not need to wash too hard so as to retain some of that smell.
Once you are done washing your hands, dry properly with a clean towel and be on your way.
Using Salt and Detergent
This is the easiest method because salt and detergents are some of the most common household items.
Step 1: Pour some salt into a cup.
Pour a teaspoon of salt into a cup. Using salt will help exfoliate the skin around your hands to reduce the smell of the gas but using too much of it can also be too harsh on the skin.
Step 2: Pour some detergent into your hands.
Pour some dish detergent into the palm of your hands and apply all over. We recommend dish detergent because it is easier to have in the house and milder on the skin.
Also, please do not use too much of it as it can take too long to wash off. Pour just the right amount that covers the entire area thinly.
Step 3: Add the table salt
Once you have your hands covered with the dish detergent, the next thing you want to do is to pour some of that table salt over the detergent. First, pour some into one hand and apply all over the dish detergent on your hand. Then repeat this with the other hand to make sure you cover every inch of both hands.
Step 4: Rub both items together
With both hands now covered in dish detergent and table salt, proceed to rub the items into your skin.
Rub with your fingers but be gentle as the coarse table salt can sometimes feel uncomfortable on the skin.
Massage until you can no longer pick any gasoline smell, then proceed to the final step.
Step 5: Wash your hands with water
Place both hands under running water and wash until all the detergent and salt comes off. You do not need to use soap in this method since the detergent itself can serve as soap.
Detergent on the skin can sometimes feel slippery, so you will need to wash it until all that goes away. Then dry your hands properly using a clean towel.
What Neutralizes The Smell of Gasoline?
In the quest to learn how to get gas smell off hands, most people like to ask what neutralizes the smell of gas quickly.
If the smell is on the skin, the items such as white vinegar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract can help quickly neutralize the smell.
On surfaces such as the insides of your vehicle, you may want to try products such as Nok-Out, which is a non-toxic, fragrance-free, and surfactant-containing substance used for eliminating obnoxious odors from surfaces.
To neutralize the smell of gas on clothes and shoes, you will want to avoid soaking it in water and bleach.
This is because water and gasoline do not mix, and that may have little or impact on the smell. Bleach is Sodium Hypochlorite and can react with different kinds of fuel in an exothermic reaction that generates heat while releasing chlorine.
Hence not only does bleach not work, but it can also be dangerous to your health when you inhale the released chlorine.
Adding fragrance products to conceal the smell of gas also doesn’t work; instead, it adds an oily barrier that further prevents the gas and its smell from getting broken down.
Instead, use high-quality detergent to wash the clothes or shoes. Experts have recommended the product Powerizer to be highly effective in neutralizing the smell of gas from clothes and shoes.
Finally, before using any of these products, be sure to air the surface out properly. Thoroughly air the exact surface where the spill occurred and the surrounding area before you get to cleaning.
Once you are done cleaning, it is also advisable to dry the surface out properly. This allows proper oxidation to occur, eliminating any other smell left behind.
How Long Does it Take for Gasoline Smell to Go Away?
The time it takes for gasoline smell to go away depends mainly on the surface of the spill and the temperature and exposure to air.
For instance, surfaces that do not absorb the gas fully, such as the human skin or metal, often require anything from a few minutes to a few days before the smell of gas goes away without proper treatment. Whereas absorbent surfaces such as clothes and car seats often take up to a few months for the smell to completely wear off as these surfaces can retain the liquid within them.
Of course, the duration given above is in the instance that you do not attempt to get rid of the smell with any elimination technique known.
Letting the smell be will take that long to dissipate, depending on the factors described.
How Do You Get Gasoline Smell Out of Shoes?
Gasoline spills can happen in the most unpredictable ways, and while some are looking for how to get gas smell off hands, others are looking for how to get the smell out of shoes and clothes.
The best way to get the gasoline smell out of shoes and clothes is to mix laundry detergent in water, use the mixture to clean the stained area on the shoe or cloth, and then properly rinse with clean water.
However, there are a few things you would need to consider.
- First, run a quick test with a small amount of the detergent to ensure it does not discolor fabric material.
- In the event where the gasoline touches a large area on the shoe or cloth, there will be the need to immerse the entire shoe or cloth in water containing the laundry detergent.
- Soak the shoe or cloth separately from other clothing in any case
Procedures to Get Gasoline Smell Out of Shoes
Below are the steps you can take to get the gasoline smell out of shoes:
Step 1: Remove the stain
In most cases where gasoline spills on shoes, there is usually the stain and the smell. The first thing you want to do is get rid of the stain before working on the smell.
Soak a paper towel in baking soda and use the wet spot to rub vigorously on the stain to get this done. It should come off after rubbing for a few minutes.
Step 2: Pre-treat the shoe
Use a stain removal product such as Shout or Spray ‘n Wash mixed with hot water to pre-treat the shoe.
Apply the solution around the stained part of the shoe and allow sitting for about 15 minutes to remove any remaining stains.
Step 3: Clean with laundry detergent
The final step of removing the gasoline smell from shoes is to clean with enzyme-based heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent.
In this step, apply two teaspoons of the detergent onto the area, then spread around with a soft-bristled brush. Allow sitting for 5 minutes before dipping the area in hot water. Allow sitting for another 30 minutes, then rinse with clean water.
If the smell persists, you may go the extra mile and soak in baking soda paste, vinegar solution, or an ammonia solution. However, this is only optional and used when the smell won’t come off after the three steps above.
Is It Bad to Wash Your Hands with Gasoline?
Yes, it is harmful to wash your hands with gasoline for several reasons, but most especially because gas or kerosene, when applied on the skin, can defat the skin tissues and make it appear drier than usual.
The practice of washing hands with gasoline is prevalent amongst auto mechanics but highly frowned upon by the scientific community.
When no study has been carried out to ascertain the above claim, another study recently conducted demonstrated how using solvents such as kerosene can damage the dermal barrier and increase genetic damage to critical organs in the body.
This is half why we advise you to wash your hands immediately when you get gasoline on them. The other reason is that gasoline smells terrible and shouldn’t follow you around all day.
Conclusion
Learning how to get gas smell off hands may be something you do because you dislike the smell of gas, but there is also evidence to suggest that gasoline shouldn’t even be left hanging around on any part of your skin.
So if you accidentally spill fuel on your hands, skin, clothes, or shoe, this guide is designed to help you get rid of it quickly and efficiently.
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