Safe Yet Powerful Enough To Remove Gasoline Smells

June 05, 2020

If you own a vehicle, you may have mistakenly splattered gasoline on your hands and a few drips on your shoes. The smell engulfs your vehicle and stays on everything it touches. It's funny because if we polled our customers, we're positive half of them would like the smell of gasoline. It can trigger memories from childhood or fun times like boating on the lake.  The scent is connected to the limbic system and can trigger emotions. Smelling too much gasoline can cause elevated levels of benzene in your blood, which is a carcinogen. Thankfully, benzene is regulated and no more than 1%  is allowed in gasoline. Its primary use in gas is to increase the octane. Like tobacco smoke, it won't make you sick immediately, but over time can be insidious, so it's essential to remove it as soon as you can.  

Petroleum comes from the two Latin words Petra meaning Rock and Oleum, meaning oil. It is the fuel for 90% of the vehicles driven around the world and in plastics, fertilizers, solvents, adhesives, and pesticides. The world is estimated to consume over 95 million barrels each day. It's no wonder it's considered one of the world's most essential commodities.  

Removing Thirdhand Smoke is quite a task as it settles onto every surface in your home or vehicle. Removing gasoline is usually a more isolated task, like the back of your truck, work garments, or a pair of shoes.

Dont's When It Comes to Removing Gasoline Smells 

  • Don't Soak Clothes in Bleach 
The most crucial precaution when washing gasoline stained clothing is never to soak your clothes in bleach.  Sodium hypochlorite is generally available in two forms: as a commercial solution containing 12 to 15 trade percent available chlorine (a so-called bleaching solution), and as a household solution containing 5 trade percent chlorine. Trade percent is defined as the amount of chlorine in grams available for every 100 milliliters of sodium hypochlorite solution. Sodium hypochlorite (Bleach) is a strong oxidizer and, when mixed with organic materials such as diesel fuel oil, undergoes an exothermic reaction that generates heat and releases chlorine gas, sometimes violently. A solution with a concentration of 12 trade percent available chlorine can produce up to 1 pound of chlorine gas for each gallon of solution that reacts.[1]
  • Don't Add Fragrance Products 

The second helpful tip is to avoid masking the odor using scent boosters, fabric softeners, or dryer sheets. These additives usually contain wax or oils and coat the fibers, which add residue back to your clothing, creating a barrier, making the powder detergent less effective at dissolving stains and odors.

  • Don't Use The Wash Machine.  The foul smell of gasoline can linger or possibly penetrate into the drum.  Which can cause your future loads to have a gasoline smell. 

You are in luck however, Powerizer is wash machine cleaner.  Set your machine on the cleaning cycle or the hottest, longest cycle and your machine should be back to normal. 

Do's For Removing Gasoline Residue

  • Wash items exposed to gasoline separate from other garments.
  • Wash on high heat temperatures when possible.
  • Delicate fabrics wash inside out.
  • Sort by color or fabric.
  • Saturate the area or clothing thoroughly.
  • Rinse-Rinse-Rinse before, during and after.
  • Air dry to deodorize and brighten.

Pretreat Gasoline Stains 

Gasoline will leave an oily residue. The natural plant-based enzymes in Powerizer break down the oil molecules speeding up the stain lifting process. It's super powerful, so if a pretreat isn't successful at lifting the stain entirely, your next option is to add a heavy duty concentrated paste to the surface of the stain.

Rinse - As much as the gasoline initially. 

Pretreat - Make a paste or solution.

Let it Sit - Allow the detergent time to work.

Rinse Again - To remove oils and detergent residue.

Repeat - It may require a few pretreat applications.

Pre-treat Instructions for all purpose detergents

How To Make A Concentrated Cleanser Paste

As mentioned above, after pretreating a few times, if the stain still isn't lifting, resort to applying a paste. 

Create a Paste - Less water more powder.

Keep it Wet - Powerizer will work for up to eight (8) hours when wet. Apply a wet towel over it or keep just enough water to saturate the stain.

Remove - The left-over powder granules before you begin to blot the fibers.

Press and Twist Method - Use a dry split fiber microfiber cloth and press and twist.   

Rinse - To remove oils and detergent residue. Rinse until water rinses clean. 

Preparting an all purpose detergent Paste

Soak Heavily Soiled Gasoline Items 

Rest assured that the color-safe oxygen bleach won't fade dark colors or break down the fibers. The plant-based nonionic surfactant in Powerizer works to pull the oil and residues from the fibers, which then suspends them into the water until it washes away in the rinse cycle. It's also known to work exceptionally well in hard water environments because it softens the water. 

Create a Soak - In your bathtub, sink, bucket or bin.  Add one to two scoops of Powerizer with any temperature of water. Hot water will provide the best results. 

Submerge the Garment - Use just enough water to saturate the garment.  

Agitate - Lift the garment out of the water, swirl it around, wring it out.  This step will ensure the gasoline is release from the garment.

Allow it to Soak - Powerizer continues to work.  The natural enzymes eat away the oils. They are like thousands of pac-mans that move on to next one. 

Soak Instructions for all purpose detergents

Tips for Cleaning Carpet:

When used on upholstery or carpet, make sure the detergent reaches down to the padding. Allow the soap to soak through and sit wet. We share the same advice when cleaning up after pet messes. Apply a damp cloth to the surface of the stain and scrub using a Powerizer soak solution.

 

Rinse, Press, Twist and Absorb Residues from the Carpet

 

When used on upholstery or carpet, make sure the detergent reaches down to the padding. Allow the soap to soak through and sit wet. We share the same advice when cleaning up after pet messes. Apply a damp cloth to the surface of the stain and scrub using a Powerizer soak solution.

Read more  how to clean your carpet and throw rugs

 

We are blown away by the daily Powerizer reviews describing first hand how this one product is an amazing multipurpose detergent and cleaner that effectively cleans everything dirty.  We strongly encourage consumers to consider enrolling in the Powerizer Subscribe and Save Program which offers 15% your orders.  Less time shopping eliminates excess products and meanwhile, it saves you money.  In addition, Powerizer offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.



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