How to Get Gasoline Out of Clothes

Work out the stain before washing and drying

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 15 - 30 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr - 1 hr, 15 mins
  • Estimated Cost: $2 to 10

Use care when getting gasoline out of clothes since it is a flammable fuel source. The smell can linger even when you think the stain is visibly gone. This smell is a helpful indicator that lets you know the fabric is not truly clean and must be handled carefully. It's recommended you hand-wash the item going forward since gasoline lingering in the fibers is a fire hazard.

Here are instructional steps for removing gasoline from clothes, including clothing that has already gone through a wash cycle.

How to Remove Gasoline Stains and Odors illustration

The Spruce / Theresa Chiechi

Before You Begin

Fabric stained with gas or diesel fuel must not be washed with other clothing due to the risk of cross-contamination. Also, before using any cleaning solutions, test them on an inconspicuous area first to ensure they won't discolor the fabric.

Never dry the fabric in a dryer. If gasoline is still on the garment, it can ignite in your dryer and cause a fire. If possible, dry the clothes outside. Otherwise, use an indoor 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.

Stain Type Oil-based 
Detergent Type Stain remover
Water Temperature Hot
Cycle Type Varies with fabric type

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Paper towels
  • Wash basin
  • Soft-bristle brush (optional)

Materials

  • Liquid laundry detergent or dish soap
  • Baking soda (optional)
  • Stain remover stick, gel, or spray (optional)
  • Vinegar (optional)
  • Ammonia (optional)
  • Orange cleaner (optional)

Instructions

materials to remove gas stains
The Spruce / Ana Cadena

How to Get the Gasoline Smell Out of Clothes

  1. Blot Away Excess Gasoline

    Blot the fabric with paper towels to remove any excess gasoline, and dispose of the paper towels safely.

    Warning

    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. Once the item is dry, find a sealable metal tin, put the towel or cloth in it, and wet the material until it's damp. Seal the container. Discard it with your trash.

    blotting a gasoline stain
    ​The Spruce / Ana Cadena 
  2. Apply Baking Soda

    Apply baking soda to absorb gasoline from a wet spot on your clothing.

  3. Pretreat With Stain Remover, Dish Soap, or Heavy-Duty Detergent

    Pretreat with a solvent-based stain removal product, such as Shout, Zout, or Spray 'n Wash, to break up the petroleum products. An alternate pretreatment option is dish soap or detergent. Liquid dish soap, especially the Dawn brand, is designed to remove greasy and oily stains. If you do not have it, pretreat with an enzyme-based heavy-duty liquid detergent.

    • Allow the stain remover to work for at least 15 minutes before washing.
    • Or work in two tablespoons of dish soap or liquid detergent with a soft-bristle brush. Allow the clothing to sit for up to five minutes.
    pretreating the stain
    ​The Spruce / Ana Cadena
    scrubbing the stain with a soft bristled brush

    ​The Spruce / Ana Cadena

  4. Soak In Ammonia (Optional)

    Another option for exceptionally heavy odors is to soak the clothing in the washer full of warm water and 1 cup of non-sudsing household ammonia. This will smell, so shut the lid.

    Soak for several hours or overnight. Then, drain and wash as usual using the hottest water possible for the fabric.

    Warning

    Never use chlorine bleach or detergents containing chlorine with ammonia. This mixture makes a dangerous form of chlorine gas that produces toxic fumes.

    bottle of ammonia
    ​The Spruce / Ana Cadena
  5. Wash by Hand

    Refrain from washing any items with gasoline or flammable substances in a washing machine or dryer. 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. Add a mild, gentle detergent. Gently swirl and agitate your clothes to hand wash.

  6. Hang Clothes to Dry

    When you're finished swirling clothes around in the soapy water, run them under the tap to rinse with cold water. Hang them up to dry if dealing with delicates, or toss in the dryer on a gentle cycle.

  7. Try Orange Cleaner as a Final Resort

    If the stain or oil persists, add orange cleaner, like an all-purpose cleaner derived from oranges, such as Orange Glo's Orange Clean Pro Multipurpose Cleaner or Fantastik Orange Action All-Purpose Cleaner, to the wash basin to help break down the traces of gasoline and eliminate the smell.

    using orange cleaner
    ​The Spruce / Ana Cadena 

How to Get the Gasoline Smell Out of Clothes

Check the clothing for odor and stains after washing. If any remain, try baking soda, vinegar, or both.

Make a baking soda paste of two parts baking soda and one part water and rub it directly onto the stain. Allow it to air dry, then brush the baking soda off the fabric. This step can be repeated until the gasoline is fully removed.

creating a baking soda paste

​The Spruce / Ana Cadena

Alternatively, you can soak the stain overnight in water with 1 cup of baking soda added. Wash, rinse, and check for odor. Repeat if necessary until the stain is entirely gone.

If you still have any gasoline smell left, try vinegar and water soak for 30 minutes. This is an excellent natural option to remove stains. Repeat the vinegar soak as needed.

vinegar solution soak

​The Spruce / Ana Cadena

Can You Remove a Gasoline Stain from Clothes That Have Already Been Washed?

Similar to how you would initially treat a gasoline-stained garment, use similar steps if you have put your gas-stained clothes through the washer and dryer. These steps should remove gas stains and odors.

  1. Start with dish soap or laundry detergent: Treat the spot with dish soap or laundry detergent, rubbing the spot with a soft-bristle toothbrush. Allow it to set into the stain for 10 minutes. Then, soak it in the hottest water the fabric will allow for up to 30 minutes with more dish soap or laundry detergent. Rinse it out thoroughly.
  2. Apply baking soda paste: If the stain or odor remains, apply a thick paste of baking soda and water to the spot. Allow it to dry, then scrape off the paste.
  3. Treat with stain remover: If the stain or odor persists, spot treat with a commercial laundry stain remover for 10 minutes. Rinse it off. Repeat these steps until the stain and odor are gone.

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 a home dry cleaning kit on these stains is unsafe. Cleaning chemicals and the dryer's high heat can interact with the gasoline.

FAQ
  • Does gasoline stain clothing?

    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.

  • Is it safe to wash clothes with gasoline on them?

    It is a fire hazard to put an item with gasoline in a washer or dryer; however, it is safe to hand-wash an item if wearing gloves.

  • Can gasoline be removed from 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.

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Clothes Dryer Fire Safety Outreach Materials. United States Fire Administration.