How to Get Petrol Smell Out of Clothes (Safely)
An overfilled bike tank, a splash from the nozzle, a jerry can in the dickey: petrol on your clothes happens, and the smell is hard to ignore. It is also flammable, which changes what you should do first.
How do you get petrol smell out of clothes?
Take the clothes off, keep them away from flames, sparks and heaters, and hang them outdoors to air before you wash them; fire-safety guidance says clothes that have touched petrol or similar solvents should be laid outside to dry before washing and drying. Then wash them on their own with detergent and air-dry them. Do not spray perfume or a fabric spray over it, and never put petrol-soaked clothes in a dryer.
In this guide6 sections
Most petrol spills on clothes in India happen at the pump: a nozzle that keeps going after the tank is full, a splash on your jeans, a few drops on your sleeve. The smell follows you all day, and unlike sweat or food smell, it comes with a safety warning.
Why is petrol on clothes dangerous?
Because petrol vapour is flammable, and fabric holds it. A garment with petrol on it is a fire risk near a gas stove, a cigarette, a diya or a heater until the petrol has evaporated. Petrol on skin can also irritate it. Wash any skin it touched with soap and water.
What should you do right away?
- Take off the affected clothes when you safely can.
- Keep them away from flames, sparks, the kitchen and smokers.
- Do not put them in the laundry basket with other clothes.
- Hang them outdoors, on a balcony or a terrace, to air.
How do you wash petrol out of clothes?
Air first, wash second, on their own.
- Small petrol splashAir outdoors, then wash it alone
- DieselPre-treat with detergent, wash twice
- Soaked throughDispose of it safely
- Tumble dryerNever
- Perfume or spray on topNo: it hides nothing and adds risk
Fire-safety guidance, such as the US Idaho Department of Insurance's clothes dryer advice, says clothes that have come in contact with petrol, paint thinner or similar solvents should be laid outside to dry before washing and drying. Once the strong smell has faded after airing, often a day for a splash:
- Wash the garment by itself, with a normal dose of detergent, at the warmest temperature the label allows.
- Air-dry it outdoors. Never put it in a tumble dryer.
- Smell it once dry. If petrol is still there, air and wash again.
- A garment that was soaked through is often not worth saving; dispose of it safely.
Does diesel come out the same way?
Mostly, but it is oilier and slower to leave. Diesel evaporates more slowly than petrol, so airing takes longer, and it leaves an oily film. Rub a little liquid detergent into the spot before washing, as you would with an oil stain, and expect to wash it twice.
Why not just cover it with a spray?
Because you want the petrol gone, not hidden. Perfume or any spray on top does nothing about the fuel in the fabric, and adding more chemicals to a flammable garment is not a good idea. A fabric odour spray is the wrong tool here; that is not what ODORSTRIKE is made for, which is sweat, smoke and food smell on clean clothes. For fuel, airing and washing are the only fix.
How do you avoid petrol splashes at the pump?
- Ask the attendant to stop at an amount, not "full", on a bike tank.
- Stand back from the tank opening while it fills.
- Keep office clothes covered with a jacket you can wash.
- If you carry fuel in a can, keep it sealed and away from clothes.
Fumes from traffic are a different, smaller problem, covered in why traffic fumes cling to clothes.
Petrol and diesel are fire hazards. Air clothes outdoors, wash them separately and never use a dryer. No fabric spray is a fix for fuel. If a large amount of fuel soaked your clothes or skin, wash your skin and get help if it irritates.
Sources
Idaho Department of Insurance, State Fire Marshal Clothes dryer safety. Public safety announcement. doi.idaho.gov
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wash petrol-soaked clothes in a washing machine?
Air them outdoors first until the strong smell fades, then wash them on their own. Never put them in a tumble dryer.
How long does petrol smell stay on clothes?
A small splash usually airs out in a day and washes out in one or two washes. Soaked clothes may not recover.
How do I get diesel smell out of jeans?
Air them outdoors, rub liquid detergent into the spot, wash them alone, and repeat if needed.
Can I use perfume to hide petrol smell?
No. It does not remove the fuel, and adding sprays to a flammable garment is not safe.
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