Have you ever been in a situation where you’re trying to get the diesel smell out of clothes, but clings on like an unwanted guest? Whether from refueling a car, operating appliances, or an unintentional spill, getting that strong diesel smell out of your clothes can be hard.
Breathing diesel is harmful to your health. Chronic nausea, vomiting, eye, nose, and throat irritation can all result from short-term exposure. Long-term exposure can lead to asthma, lung cancer, heart disease, or brain and immune system problems.
In this comprehensive guide, I will discuss some useful tips and tricks on how to get rid of the diesel smell out of clothes. Say goodbye to that stubborn smell, and let your clothes smell fresh like daisies again.
Why Does The Washer Not Get Diesel Smell Out Of Clothes?
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Diesel fuel is a petroleum-based product, which means it is made from oil and other chemicals. Oil and water do not mix well, so regular detergents cannot neutralize and remove the diesel odor from clothing.
In addition, diesel fuel contains sulfur and nitrogen, which give it a strong odor. These chemicals can also be difficult to remove from clothing.
Here are some reasons why the diesel smell does not disappear after you wash your clothes:
- Regular laundry detergents are not designed to remove oil stains.
- Diesel fuel contains high amounts of sulfur and nitrogen; it releases an unpleasant smell that can be difficult to eliminate.
- Diesel can easily penetrate clothing, making it difficult to remove stains and odors.
- Diesel can also damage the seal lines in your washing machine.
How To Get Diesel Smell Out Of Clothes With Vinegar And Baking Soda
Vinegar and baking soda are natural deodorants and effective stain removers. These can also be inexpensive ways to remove the diesel smell from your clothes.
You may prefer natural products over harsh chemicals, but remember that this method is useful for removing mild smells.
Here are the steps to remove diesel smells and stains with baking soda and vinegar.
- Take a clean cloth and rub on the stain as much as possible.
- Sprinkle baking soda on the affected area. Let the soda absorb the diesel for at least 30 minutes.
- Mix equal parts white vinegar and water. Pour the vinegar paste over the baking soda and let it sit for 30 minutes.
- Rinse in a cool place with cold water.
- Wash your clothes as usual.
- Don’t put your clothes in the tumble dryer if you smell diesel. If the diesel stays on your clothes, it can cause a fire!
- Dry your clothes under the sun. But without that option, hanging them on drying racks is also okay.
Some additional tips:
- Use white vinegar, as apple cider can leave a residue.
- Do not use baking soda on leather or silk, as it can damage the fabric.
How To Remove Diesel Smell From Clothes With Cola And Baking Soda
You may find this strange, but trust me, people have regularly used Coke to clean up stains on clothes. The citric acid in Coke can break down diesel particles, making them easier to remove during the wash. Baking soda comes to the rescue again. And this time, it will be paired with Coca-Cola!
Steps to remove diesel smell from clothes with cola and baking soda:
- You will need a large tub or bucket, hot water, a 2-liter cola bottle, a box of baking soda, and gloves.
- Pour enough warm water into a tub or bucket.
- Add the cola and baking soda to the water.
- Soak clothes smelling diesel in the solution for at least 12 hours or overnight.
- Wash your clothes as usual.
The cola and baking soda will break down the diesel fuel and remove the smell. Baking soda is a natural degreaser, and cola has acids that can help remove odors from fabrics.
Cola cleansing methods can work well, but you must buy a carton of cola and a full box of baking soda. While this is not the cheapest option, it is quite effective for oil-based stains.
How To Remove Diesel Smell By Rubbing Alcohol And Baking Soda
Rubbing alcohol is an effective degreaser that can eliminate the smell of diesel from your clothes.
Follow these steps when using baking soda and rubbing alcohol:
- Sprinkle baking soda on the clothing with the diesel odor.
- Baking soda should be covered with rubbing alcohol until absorbed.
- Allow the clothing to air dry for 30 to 60 minutes.
- Use cold water to wash the garments.
- As usual, wash the garments.
- Baking soda will absorb the diesel odor, and rubbing alcohol will aid in removing any leftover scent.
You can repeat the process if the smell remains after washing the garments. Put a few drops of essential oil in the washing machine to make the garments smell better. For instance, you can use lavender or tea tree oil.
How To Remove Diesel Fuel Smell With Mouthwash
Mouthwash, like Listerine, is also known for removing diesel spills. Here is how you can do this:
- Put your diesel-stained clothes in the washing machine with your detergent of choice.
- Add 1 cup of mouthwash to the drum or bleach dispenser.
- Wash the clothes as usual.
- Hang your clothes to dry.
The smell is still noticeable after washing the clothes. You can repeat the process with half a cup of baking soda.
How To Get Diesel Smell Out From Clothes With Ammonia
You can use ammonia to remove the diesel smell from clothes, but it is important to use it carefully. Ammonia is a strong chemical that can irritate the skin and eyes, so wearing gloves and protecting your eyes is important.
Follow these steps to remove diesel odor from ammonia-containing clothes.
- Fill a bucket with warm water.
- Pour a quarter cup of ammonia into the water.
- Stir the mixture until all the ammonia has disappeared.
- For 30 to 60 minutes, let your clothing soak in the solution.
- Wash your clothes in clean water.
How To Get Diesel Smell Out From Clothes With Heavy-Duty Detergent
You can remove the diesel smell from clothes with heavy-duty detergents, but it is important to use them properly. Here are the steps to do it.
- Treat the affected area first with a heavy detergent. Mix a few drops of detergent with water and rub the solution onto the stain. Let it sit for 30 to 60 minutes.
- Wash the clothes as usual. Use the warmest water setting that is safe for the fabric.
- You can repeat the process if the smell is still noticeable after washing. You can add drops of essential oil in the washing machine, such as lavender or tea tree oil, to help freshen the clothes.
How To Get Diesel Smell Out From Clothes With Mechanic Soap
Mechanic soap removes oil and grease from your skin. And there are no prizes for guessing that it can also break down diesel residue on fabric and eliminate the smell. Fast Orange is a popular choice among all mechanic soaps.
To remove the diesel smell from clothes with mechanic soap, follow these steps:
- Apply the mechanic soap to the affected area. You can do this by rubbing the soap into the fabric or applying it with a sponge.
- Let the soap absorb for 30 minutes.
- Wash the clothes as usual. using the warmest water temperature that won’t damage the fabric.
- You can repeat the process if the smell is still noticeable after washing. You can add drops of essential oil in the washing machine, such as lavender or tea tree oil, to help freshen the clothes.
What You Should Never Do When Removing Diesel From Clothes
With all the techniques described above, I hope you understand how to properly remove that awful fuel odor from your favorite piece of clothing.
But there are lots of ways the cleaning process can go wrong. So be aware of these minor errors and steer clear of them the next time you deal with clothing exposed to diesel.
| Mistake | Details |
| Using the dryer to dry clothes exposed to diesel. | Never dry garments exposed to diesel in the dryer. The heat and electricity from your dryer can start a fire if there is any remaining diesel on your clothes. |
| Washing clothes soaked in diesel with other clothes. | Never wash diesel-stained clothes with other items. Diesel can readily contaminate other garments, causing your entire load of laundry to smell like fuel. |
| Using hot water on delicate fabric. | People routinely wash their clothes in hot water to eliminate odors. Hot water, however, should not be used to wash delicate fabrics like silk or wool. Always check the labels on your clothing to ensure that it is heat-resistant. |
| Using harsh chemicals without testing. | Bleach, ammonia, or even rubbing alcohol are harsh chemicals that should not be used on delicate fabrics or brightly colored clothing. Once more, read the labels on your clothing before using powerful products. |
Removing Diesel Smell From Garments After Washing
A vinegar soak and any of the methods mentioned above can help eliminate the diesel smell if you have washed your clothes before treating them. Although it’s usually preferable, targeting the diesel odor as soon as the spill happens is impossible.
If you’ve previously washed the items, take these actions to fix the diesel odor:
- White vinegar and water should be diluted. For every 1 cup of vinegar, take 2 cups of water in a bucket. Soak the clothing for a few hours.
- Properly rinse the clothing in cold water to remove the vinegar smell.
- Air dry the clothing outside in the sunshine to assist the odor disappear even more.
- Repeat the vinegar soak and air drying procedure to remove the scent if it persists.
These techniques can be successful. However, diesel odors are notoriously difficult to get rid of. It could take a few repetitions of the plans before you start to see a difference. If you’ve already put the garments in the washer without treating the scent, getting rid of diesel odors is more challenging.
Conclusion
Although getting diesel out of clothes can be challenging, it is feasible with the right methods. You can pick which method you believe will work best for you from the ones I discussed because they are all reliable.
When diesel gets on your clothing, you need to take rapid action. The stain will be tougher to remove if it has dried. You should avoid drying the items as long as the smell is present. The dryer’s heat can permanently infuse the smell into the fabric.
FAQ
1. How to effectively remove the diesel smell from clothes?
Many household products, including vinegar, coke, rubbing alcohol, and commercial stain removers, can help remove that nasty fuel odor from your favorite piece of clothing.
2. What are some proven methods to get diesel out of clothes?
Proven methods to remove diesel from clothes include using baking soda to the stain or using commercial stain removers. These methods effectively break down the grease and oil in diesel fuel.
3. Can vinegar be used to eliminate the diesel smell from clothes?
Yes, vinegar can help remove the diesel smell from clothes. Adding a cup of white vinegar to the washing machine during the wash cycle can help neutralize odors, including the smell of diesel. Vinegar is known as a natural deodorizer and can be especially helpful when dealing with stubborn odors.
4. How to remove diesel fuel from clothes after washing?
If you’ve already washed the clothes and the diesel smell remains. You can still try soaking in vinegar for a few hours. If you’ve already put the garments in the washer without eliminating the scent, it’s tougher to eliminate diesel odors.
