A relative had a few ounces of gasoline leak onto the carpet in his vehicle while transporting a gas can. The carpet was wiped dry and aired out with a blower fan for a few days, but the gasoline smell still lingers. Does anyone know of a method to eliminate the residual gas odor (e.g., shampoo the carpet, spot treat the spill area, ozone machine)?
How to rid the interior carpet of spilled gas smell?
- Thread starter Nukeman7
- Start date
Odo Ban spray? Rubbing alcohol, isopropyl? Make a paste with oxy clean or laundry detergent?
With any of the above you need to saturate the area and then PULL the mix out with a wet/dry vacuum. Else, you're just scrubbing it in further or cleaning the surface. With anything harsh, spot check an area of the carpet (under a seat or trim) to make sure it doesn't remove color.
With any of the above you need to saturate the area and then PULL the mix out with a wet/dry vacuum. Else, you're just scrubbing it in further or cleaning the surface. With anything harsh, spot check an area of the carpet (under a seat or trim) to make sure it doesn't remove color.
Its likely soaked into the carpet underlayer. They come from the factory with a film layer but that degrades over time. Your likely only realistic option is to lift the carpet in that section so it can air out from the underside. Everything from the top is just covering up the problem, not getting rid of it.
ozone machine?
I know that ozone machines will destroy organic/biological odors through the oxidation process. Will it work on petroleum distillates which are typically oxidized through combustion?
Everyone is overthinking this.
Spray it down with a 50/50 iso alcohol and vac it out. Repeat several times.
Scrub it with a drop of dawn dish soap and water and vac it out. Repeat this several times.
Leave windows cracked for air exchange for a week. If smell is still there, use ozone.
Ozone will destroy the rubber belts in the CD deck if the car has one.
Spray it down with a 50/50 iso alcohol and vac it out. Repeat several times.
Scrub it with a drop of dawn dish soap and water and vac it out. Repeat this several times.
Leave windows cracked for air exchange for a week. If smell is still there, use ozone.
Ozone will destroy the rubber belts in the CD deck if the car has one.
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- Feb 4, 2025
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I would remove the carpet and underlay.
While they are airing out, you can inspect the floor area of the car for more fuel and clean.
Then you would want to clean the carpet and maybe replace the underlay of spill area. You could get some replacement underlay at a junkyard or maybe local auto parts wholesaler.
I don't think you could wash the typical underlay. But the materials vary.
BONUS STORY-
VW recalled a bunch of GTI heater cores for spraying hot coolant on passengers; the dealer replaced the heater core free of charge but dumped a lot of coolant on the rug, so it smelled and is a dangerous liquid.
We removed the seats and took the black carpet to the local laundrymat. The carpet didn't fit in the washer too well but fit fine in the dryer. The carpet came out clean but shrunk a bit, lost some shape, and lost some colour. A few laundrymat customers voiced their opinions about the rug lol.
While they are airing out, you can inspect the floor area of the car for more fuel and clean.
Then you would want to clean the carpet and maybe replace the underlay of spill area. You could get some replacement underlay at a junkyard or maybe local auto parts wholesaler.
I don't think you could wash the typical underlay. But the materials vary.
BONUS STORY-
VW recalled a bunch of GTI heater cores for spraying hot coolant on passengers; the dealer replaced the heater core free of charge but dumped a lot of coolant on the rug, so it smelled and is a dangerous liquid.
We removed the seats and took the black carpet to the local laundrymat. The carpet didn't fit in the washer too well but fit fine in the dryer. The carpet came out clean but shrunk a bit, lost some shape, and lost some colour. A few laundrymat customers voiced their opinions about the rug lol.
Apples, the inside of the car might smell of Apples. Get a dozen Apples, cut them into slices and place them on a paper plate all over the inside of the Car. Close the Windows and let them sit in there for 12 hours or so. See if this works out, if you notice a difference, do the dozen apple thing again.
Gas off spray. Not sure whats in it or how it works but it's amazing and designed specifically to get rid of gas smell.
Gas off spray
Thank you! I'll try to find a nearby dealer that carries it.
Just don"t throw a lit match on it.
