6 Ways Get Diesel Smell Out Of Clothes (Step-by-Step Guides)

You have been busy working on changing diesel filters all day. However, you accidentally spilled diesel on your clothes which is hard to clean and remove the pungent smell. Therefore, it is essential that you know how to get the diesel smell out of clothes properly as it is susceptible to any hazard.

What is diesel?

Diesel fuel is a layman’s term for distillate fuel oil often sold and used for vehicles using compression ignition engines. The term diesel came from the surname of its inventor, Rudolf Diesel, who is a French-German engineer.

Diesel fuel is cultivated both from biomass substances and crude oil. However, diesel fuel is not solely used for vehicles as some generators need diesel to produce electricity as an alternative power supply producer.

6 ways to remove the diesel smell from your clothes

If you accidentally or unknowingly spilled diesel fuel onto your clothes, the diesel itself and its smell does not go away with a regular wash. You must know how to remove the diesel smell from your clothes properly.

1. Remove diesel smell out of clothes with Baking Soda and Vinegar

You may be familiar that baking soda and Vinegar are often used for homemade cleaning remedies by now. Both the baking soda and the Vinegar are natural deodorizers, making them suitable to remove the diesel smell on your clothes.

1. You either create a baking soda and vinegar solution or apply them simultaneously by sprinkling the baking soda first onto the affected area and allowing it to rest for at least 3 minutes before spraying Vinegar.
2. After spraying the Vinegar, rub it for a while, but the Vinegar will quickly evaporate. Do not worry, as it naturally neutralizes the odor already.
3. You can keep spraying the Vinegar, then let it soak for a minimum of 20 minutes.
4. Remove any baking soda residue.
5. To finish it off, wash the clothing on a regular cycle and let it air dry.

This method only works well if the diesel smell is not intense, but you may repeat the process until you no longer sense any traces of diesel on your clothes.

Watch the video below on a different approach of removing a diesel smell out of clothes using baking soda and Vinegar.

 

2. Remove diesel smell out of clothes with Rubbing Alcohol and Baking Soda

Rubbing alcohol and baking soda is also a good combination in getting rid of the annoying diesel smell out of your clothes. These two products work well side by side as alcohol tends to evaporate quickly, while baking soda is an efficient product in absorbing smells.

The process is pretty much similar to the baking soda and vinegar combination.

1. Sprinkle a good amount of baking soda onto the affected area.
2. Drench the affected area by spraying or splashing alcohol and scrubbing the paste right into the clothing.
3. Repeat the process until there are no traces of diesel smell in your clothes.
4. Once the diesel smell is completely gone, wash the clothing and let it air dry.

 

3. Remove diesel smell out of clothes with Coca-cola and Baking Soda

You may find it surprising that Coca-cola can also be used to remove the diesel smell off your clothes, but it is possible, and many people can attest to this.

Coca-cola’s properties and ingredients make it a degreaser product. At the same time, Baking soda is a natural detergent which makes these products a great combination in getting rid of the stains and smell of diesel.

1. Fill the tub or basin with warm water and an ample amount of degreaser.
2. Let the clothes that have diesel stain and smell soak for a good 2 hours. The oils in the fuel are already breaking down by this time.
3. After two hours, drain the water, rinse the tub and the clothes, and refill the tub again with clean water.
4. Create a solution by mixing 2 bottles of Coca-cola and a whole package of baking soda. Mix them well.
5. Let the clothes soak in between 12 to 24 hours, or let them rest overnight.
6. Rinse the clothes well and wash them with a laundry detergent either by hand washing or in the washing machine, letting it spin in a regular cycle.
7. Allow the clothes to air dry.
8.  You may repeat the process if it is necessary.

Watch the tutorial below for a different approach to removing the diesel smell from your clothes with Coca-cola.

 

4. Remove diesel smell out of clothes with Mouthwash

Mouthwash is not only used for hygienic purposes, as it can also be a good home remedy to get the diesel smell out of your clothes. One mouthwash brand that is often used as a household remedy is Listerine.

Professional firefighters entirely recommend Listerine as they often use it to eliminate the smell of smoke lingering on their clothes. Mouthwash works quite well enough in eliminating any diesel smell and stains off your clothes.

1. Splash the Mouthwash directly to the affected area or garment, or you may add an ample amount of the Mouthwash into your washing machine.
2. Let the Mouthwash soak for at least 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Rinse the clothing with water.
4. Let it spin in the washing machine like usual.
5. If there is still a lingering smell of the diesel fuel, repeat the process as necessary.

It is better to be safe by allowing the clothing to dry naturally than risking it by using a tumble dryer even if you think that there are no traces of diesel left. Unintentionally drying affected clothes inside the tumble dryer may result in an explosion or flames.

 

5. Remove diesel smell out of clothes with Solvent-based Stain Remover

The process of removing the diesel smell from your clothes is kind of easy to follow.

1. Pretreat the fabric stained by a diesel fuel by applying a solvent-based stain remover or an enzyme-based stain remover.
2. Use a toothbrush or any soft-bristled brush, scrub the affected area, and let the solution soak for a minimum of 15 minutes.
3. Rinse the clothing at a suitable heat temperature in the water.
4. Repeat the process if the pungent smell is persistent.

 

6. Remove diesel smell out of clothes with Non-Sudsing Ammonia

If you have spilled diesel fuel onto your clothes, you can get rid of the strong smell with non-sudsing ammonia.

1. Fill the washing machine, a laundry sink, or a basin with non-sudsing ammonia and hot water, then throw in the affected clothes. Ensure that the washer, sink, or basin has a lid cover as much as possible.
2. Let the clothes soak for more than 7 hours, but it would be best to let them soak overnight.
3. Wash the clothing with a laundry detergent either by hand wash or in the washer by setting it to a regular cycle.
4. Repeat the process if there are still traces or smells of fuel.

Ensure that you do not use any bleach during the process of soaking and washing, as combining both the ammonia and bleach will create toxic fumes.

How to get a diesel smell out of your hands?

Ensure that you thoroughly remove any traces of diesel smell from your hands as it may be dangerous for your health.

1. Water and Lemon Juice Solution

Create a solution by mixing lemon juice and water, then apply some onto your hands and scrub it. Continue scrubbing your hands for at least 2 minutes and rinse them with water. Afterward, you may finish washing your hands with regular hand soap.

2. Make use of a Hand Sanitizer

If the diesel smell is not that strong and you have a hand sanitizer only, it will work as an initial remedy. Apply an ample amount of hand sanitizer to your hands and rub it for at least 2 minutes. Once you find a toilet or a powder room, you may wash your hands with soap and warm water.

3. Make use of Vinegar

Vinegar is often utilized as a home remedy. You can also use Vinegar to remove the diesel smell off your hands by rubbing it onto the affected area for 2 minutes, then rinse it with soap and warm water.

4. Salt and Dish Detergent Solution

Create a solution by mixing a minimum of 3 spoonfuls of salt, water, and dish detergent. Then scrub your hand with the solution you made as the rough texture of the salt will both exfoliate and get off the pungent smell of the diesel.

5. Make use of Toothpaste

Toothpaste is also a recommended home remedy to eradicate the foul diesel smell off your hands. The process is quite similar to the other methods above.

When you have held or have spilled diesel fuel in your hands, avoid touching your face, particularly your mouth and eyes.

Apart from the listed solutions above, you may watch the video below for additional 3 more solutions in getting the diesel smell off your hands

Conclusion

Regardless of which type of fabric it is, diesel stains are quite hazardous if you do not address the problem correctly. The stains make it flammable, which makes it susceptible to causing a fire. Therefore, it is necessary that you know how to get the diesel smell out of clothes properly to avoid any severe problems.