12 Easy Ways To Get Gasoline Out Of Clothes And Shoes

You've come to the right place to easily remove gasoline stains and odors from your clothes and shoes, whether you accidentally spilled some at the gas pump or regularly work on vehicles.

Many types of clothes and shoes are delicate and don't resist the harsh effect of gasoline very well. So you've made the right choice trying to get rid of gas stains and odors immediately.

Taking good care of your clothing and footwear is a great way to make sure they last longer so you can enjoy wearing them for a long time, save time, money, and the planet.

Here are super simple ways you can get gasoline out of clothes and shoes completely.

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1. Use white vinegar

You can easily make cleaning products yourself by using a water and white vinegar solution. It's a very effective cleaner that can help you get gasoline out of clothes and shoes.

SHOP WHITE VINEGAR

Using white vinegar to remove stains and odors is less toxic and plastic-free since it eliminates unnecessary bottles of cleaner. You can also look for package-free cleaning products made of vinegar at farmer's markets or some grocery stores.

Depending on how strong the gasoline stain is, use more or less vinegar mixed with hot water. White vinegar is a natural cleaner that will begin breaking down the gasoline out of your apparel and footwear right away without damaging it.

Simply soak your items in a soaking basin for at least half an hour. Then use cold or moderately warm water and try to remove any remaining stain or odor on your garments by hand.

Cleanse and rinse the fibers in cold water. And don't scrub stains vigorously. You could spread stains and even damage the fabric permanently. Instead, work from the outside in gently dabbing the stain.

Don't worry, your clothes won't smell like vinegar. You can also add an aromatic scent to the mixture with the essential oils of your choice. Be careful not to use too much vinegar as some fragile colors may fade.

SHOP ESSENTIAL OILS

Use the scented vinegar solution in place of a traditional fabric cleaner. This mixture will eliminate static, give a soft feel, and add a fresh scent to your clothes.

Vinegar is a great natural, homemade, affordable, and eco-friendly fabric cleaner and conditioner. It also eliminates common soapy residue, makes your clothes last longer, and smells better.

Read our ultimate guide for everything you need to know about how to clean your clothes with vinegar.

!!! Warning !!!

Make sure you prevent your clothes, shoes, towels, and rags that came in contact with gasoline from starting a fire. Flammable gas fumes can also easily escape in the open air and are dangerous.

Always hang your clothes to dry outside after they came in contact with gasoline. And never place your clothing or footwear in the dryer since gasoline is a dangerous combustible.

The dryer not only consumes an absurd amount of energy to produce heat but also can damage your clothes. It even may cause fires if not properly maintained or used inappropriately.

To save money on electrical bills, reduce carbon emissions, ensure your clothes last longer, and avoid accidents, air-dry your clothes whenever you can.

You can lay your garments down on a towel for a while, then flip them over. Or you can hang them up on a hanger or drying rack to help them dry naturally.

2. Apply baking soda

Baking soda is another great way of getting gasoline out of clothes and shoes. It's very effective against traces of oil products, including gasoline stains and odors.

SHOP BAKING SODA

You first need to craft a solution of baking soda using four tablespoons per glass of water. Then, apply the mixture to the stained area gently and let it make its effects for at least an hour.

Baking powder help neutralize gasoline on your clothing if you wait long enough. The pungent scent of petrol doesn’t stand a chance against a solution of baking soda and water.

Allow your clothing to air dry. After a while, you can brush the baking soda off of the clothing. Then, cleanse and rinse the fabrics in cold water as you normally would with other clothing pieces.

If the gasoline stains and odors are still there, you need to repeat these steps until they are gone. Repeat the baking soda application, let your clothes or shoes soak for longer until the gasoline is fully removed.

3. Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is an effective solution to whiten clothes without bleach. This mild antiseptic, oxidizer and bleaching agent will clean and refresh your garments and make them brand new again.

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Dilute a solution of hydrogen peroxide in water to prepare an efficient cleaner against pesky spots and odors. It's a powerful disinfectant with antiviral and antibacterial properties.

You can use hydrogen peroxide to whiten whites and brighten colors, disinfect laundry, and remove stains. It's a fantastic substitute for bleach that you can use along with your favorite laundry detergent.

4. Brush with water and soap

To get rid of gasoline stains and odors, you'll want to soak your clothes and shoes in hot water and soap for at least an hour and then repeat. Water and soap are often enough to remove gasoline if the odors or stains aren't exceptionally heavy.

Make sure to soak your clothes for long periods but not too long as you risk damaging the fabrics. Delicate fabrics require lower temperatures and softer soaps.

Some of the best soaps you can use are all-natural, package-free soaps made with organic oils, herbs, spices, plant butter, pure essential oils, and chemical-free ingredients.

Look for eco-friendly products that keep your laundry soft and comfy while eliminating plastic waste. Prefer plant-based ingredients and avoid any animal-based agents, parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, phosphates, petroleum, or synthetic fragrance.

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5. Make an orange and lemon cleaner

Another way of getting gasoline stains and odors out of clothes and shoes is to make a natural cleaner at home with orange or lemon peels and juice.

You can easily make an all-purpose cleaner by mixing water with orange or lemon. Citrus fruits are very effective to eliminate traces of gasoline and its smell. They also add a wonderful natural scent to your clothing.

SHOP LEMON JUICE

You'll need one cup of fruit-based ingredients mixed with 3 cups of water. Make the cleaning solution, apply it to the stained area, and let it soak for at least half an hour.

Natural and homemade fabric cleaners are arguably the most affordable and eco-friendly alternatives to traditional cleaning products. They are healthy and safe for your skin and the planet.

Opting for an easy DIY solution can even save you money. You can create your sustainable fabric cleaner at home without any extra equipment. Use it to clean and soften your clothes without damaging the environment.

6. Try mineral oil

Mineral oil can also help remove gasoline stains and odors from clothing and footwear. Simply pour the natural oil directly on the stained area and rub gently.

SHOP MINERAL OIL

Mineral oil is a clear, odorless liquid and a common ingredient in many personal care products, such as baby oil. It safely lubricates and keeps moisture from escaping the skin.

They come in different forms (oils, gels, liquids) are can also be found in furniture polish, wood treatment products, stainless steel cleaners, and more.

You can use mineral oil as a pre-wash method for super easy stain removal. Simply dab a little bit of it on the stained area, let it soak and dry, then cleanse and rinse with cold water.

Remember to air-dry your clothes and shoes and don't use a dryer. It's very dangerous to put clothing that's been soaked with gasoline in the dryer.

8. Apply detergent

Detergents are commonly regarded as ultimate cleaning products. They are super practical and powerful to remove any stains and odors, include gasoline on clothes and shoes.

Specific liquid dishwashing detergents are even made to target grease and can easily help remove gasoline stains. Gently rub the detergent onto the stained area until it becomes clear. Cleanse and rinse the fabrics in cold water.

Avoid any chlorine-based detergent as it can melt fibers, dyes, and damage fabrics. Don't use acetone or organic solvents to remove stains either. They will dissolve many types of fibers and cause irreversible damage to your clothes or shoes.

Don't use too much detergent, Measure the right amount, liquid or solid. The amount of detergent you need depends on how strong the gasoline stains or odors are.

Check out our selection of affordable and eco-friendly laundry detergents to effortlessly remove stubborn stains.

9. Mix coffee grounds

The strong odor of gasoline can be toxic and very harsh to some textile fabrics. Gas can even destroy your clothes if you aren't careful. To get gasoline out of your clothes and shoes, you can also use coffee grounds.

Coffee grounds have the same effects as baking powder on your items. They can remove gas stains and odor quite effectively just as baking soda would.

Simply make a mixture of coffee grounds with hot water, apply it to the stained area, and let it soak for at least an hour. Once you're satisfied with the result, you can start brushing them off and washing the stains.

10. Soak in ammonia

Add extra ammonia to get gasoline out of clothes and shoes. This affordable product can help you remove gas spots and smells from your items.

Simply purchase ammonia at most supermarkets, drugstores, and hardware stores. Then, apply a small amount of ammonia to the contaminated area.

This should help wash out the gasoline stain or smell. Ammonia is super effective to remove exceptionally heavy odors. If it doesn't go away immediately, you can always let your clothes and shoes soak for several hours, cleanse, and repeat.

11. Put them in the washer

You can wash your gasoline-stained clothes and shoes in the washer. But make sure you don't wash anything else with them. Put them in the washing machine by themselves and select a delicate cycle and with cold water.

Cold water does the job for most fashion items, beddings, and linens. You can place them in the washing machine with a temperature lower than 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) to effectively refresh textiles that are too dirty.

If the stains or odors are still there, you can wash your clothing and footwear twice. Use a gentle cycle and avoid high spin speeds as much as possible. Otherwise, many fabrics may become very creased.

Make sure to soak your clothes for the least amount of time to avoid dye bleeding. Many washing machines allow you to select between whites and colors, sometimes called casuals.

You may also be able to select another setting to adjust the washing cycle to light or heavy fabrics (cotton or wool). Now you can turn on the washer and wait until the washing program is finished. Either press a start button or pull out the dial that chooses load types.

For more super useful laundry tips, check out our ultimate guide on how you should do your laundry.

12. Look for a dry cleaner

Alternatively, you can send your clothes and shoes stained with gasoline to your nearest dry cleaning service. If all else fails despite your best efforts, use the services of a professional.

Simply contact a local dry cleaner if you can't get gasoline stains or odors out of your clothes and shoes at home. You can easily find the nearest dry cleaning service online.

For exceptionally heavy stains and odors on your clothing, professional dry cleaning services can save the day. 

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Alex Assoune (MS) is a global health and environmental advocate. He founded Panaprium to inspire others with conscious living, ethical, and sustainable fashion. Alex has worked in many countries to address social and environmental issues. He speaks three languages and holds two Master of Science degrees in Engineering from SIGMA and IFPEN schools.