Gasoline on Your Hands? Try These to Get the Smell off Your Hands (and Clothes)

There are a few reasons why gasoline may end up on your hands. One possibility is that you spilled it while trying to fill up your car. Another case is that you were working on your car and got some gasoline on your hands. Whatever the reason, it’s important to clean your hands thoroughly after coming into contact with gasoline.

Gasoline can be dangerous because it is highly flammable. If you have any cuts or scrapes on your hands, the gasoline can easily ignite and cause serious burns. In addition, inhaling the fumes from gasoline can also be harmful. So it’s vital to get it off your hands. 

However, if you’ve ever spilled gasoline on your hands, you know how difficult it can be to get the smell off. Even after washing your hands multiple times, the smell seems to linger. But don’t worry – there are a few tricks you can use to get rid of that gasoline smell for good!

Method 1: Use Vinegar

So, you’ve been handling gasoline, and now your hands smell like it. Here’s how to get rid of that pesky gas smell using vinegar. 

Here’s what you have to do:

First, wash your hands with soap and water to remove any surface dirt and grime. Then, pour some vinegar into your hands. Make sure to coat your fingers and palms well.

Next, rub your hands together for 30-45 seconds, interlocking your fingers and massaging them with the vinegar.

Continue doing this for another 30-45 seconds, or until the smell of gasoline is gone. You may need to repeat this process if the smell persists. The acid in the vinegar will break down the molecules that are causing the gasoline smell.

Method 2: Make Use of Vanilla Extract

The smell of gasoline is so strong that it can give you a headache at the very least. One way to get rid of it is by using vanilla extract. 

Simply mix a few drops of vanilla extract into about a half cup of water and pour it over your hands. Scrub for at least 45 seconds or until you can no longer smell the gasoline. If you’re worried about your hands smelling like vanilla extract afterward, don’t. After scrubbing your hands, wash them properly with soap and water. 

Method 3: Try Lemon Juice

Another option is to use lemon juice. Freshly squeezed lemon juice will work to neutralize the gasoline odor on your skin and also has the added benefit of being a natural astringent.

All that needs to be done is mix equal parts of freshly squeezed lemon juice and water in a bowl and stir the mixture thoroughly. Once this is done, simply soak your hands in the lemon water for a few minutes.

Then, rinse your hands with clean water and soap to remove any residual lemon extract. And that’s it! 

Method 4: Use Salt + Detergent 

If you’ve been handling gasoline and your hands are covered in the smell, one way to remove it is by using salt and detergent. The salt will help exfoliate your skin and reduce the gasoline smell, whereas the detergent will help break down the chemical bonds within the gasoline itself. 

Here’s what you have to do:

First, squirt some dish detergent onto your hands and distribute it evenly. Next, pour salt over your palms and rub your hands together. Upon washing your hands, you’ll see that your hands will be well-exfoliated, and there won’t be a hint of gasoline smell.

The salt will help exfoliate your skin and reduce the gasoline smell, whereas the detergent will help break down the chemical bonds within the gasoline itself. 

Method 5: Baking Soda and Vinegar Would Do!

Who said baking soda and vinegar could be only used for science projects? They work great in removing the strong smell of gasoline from the hands. The baking soda will help absorb the gasoline smell, and the vinegar will act as a disinfectant.

Simply pour some baking soda onto your hand and then add about a tablespoon of vinegar. Rub your hands together for at least two minutes. Then, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. 

Method 6: Hydrogen Peroxide will Be Your Savior 

Gasoline can leave a nasty smell on your hands, but you can get rid of it by using hydrogen peroxide. 

Just pour some on your hands and gently rub your hands. You may need to do this a few times to completely remove the smell, but it will eventually go away. Just be sure to moisturize your hands afterwards since hydrogen peroxide can dry out your skin.

Method 7: Use Gritty Soap

You can also try using a gritty soap. This type of soap is designed specifically for removing tough stains and smells, making it ideal for this job. Here’s how to use it:

  1. Wet your hands with water, and then Rub them with the gritty soap to create a lather.
  2. Focus on rubbing the areas that have the most gasoline residue on them.
  3. Rinse your hands thoroughly with water.
  4. Repeat steps 2-3 if necessary.
  5. Dry your hands off with a clean towel or air dry them.

Once you’ve used this method, the gasoline smell should be gone from your hands. If it’s still lingering, you can try repeating the steps or using a different type of soap. Ultimately, with a little trial and error, you should be able to find a method that works for you and gets rid of that unwanted gasoline smell.

Method 8: Make a Paste Out of Baking Soda

Simply mix together one part baking soda with three parts water, and rub the paste onto your hands. Rinse off with soap and water afterwards. Doing this should help remove the gasoline smell from your hands.

Method 9: Apply Rubbing Alcohol 

Rubbing alcohol is an efficient way to remove the gasoline smell from your hands. All you need to do is rub your hands with rubbing alcohol. If you don’t have rubbing alcohol, you can use a hand sanitizer with 80% to 90% alcohol. Simply apply alcohol or hand sanitizer to your hands and rub until the alcohol disappears completely. You can repeat this step a couple of times until the gas smell is completely gone.

How to Remove Gasoline Smell From Your Clothes

If you’ve recently been handling gasoline or fuel and notice the smell on your hands, it’s likely that the scent has transferred to your clothing as well. Here’s how to remove the gasoline smell from your clothes so that you can feel fresh and clean again:

Try Water and Soap

If you’ve been splattered with gasoline, it’s important to remove the fuel from your clothing as quickly as possible. Gasoline is highly flammable, so you don’t want to risk coming into contact with any open flames or sparks.

The best way to remove gasoline from your clothes is to brush it off with water and soap. This will help break down the fuel and make it easier to rinse away. 

Use White Vinegar

Gasoline is a very powerful solvent and can easily damage most fabrics. However, there is a simple solution that can help remove the stain and prevent further damage. All you need is some white vinegar.

Simply pour a small amount of vinegar onto the affected area and rub it in gently. The vinegar will help to break down the gasoline and make it easier to remove. Once the stain has been removed, be sure to wash your clothing as usual with detergent and cold water.

Make a Lemon and Orange Cleaner

One method to remove gasoline from clothes is to make an orange and lemon cleaner. Simply mix equal parts of fresh squeezed orange juice and lemon juice. Then, soak your stained clothing in the mixture for about 30 minutes. After that, wash your clothing as you normally would – and the gasoline stains should be gone!

Fight Stains with Baby Oil

One important thing to understand is that as gasoline is a petroleum product, it will leave an oily residue, and you won’t be able to remove the smell from your clothes until you’re able to remove the stain. 

If the garment is washable, start by running cold water through the back side of the stain for about 30 seconds. This will help to dilute and lift some of the oil from the fabric.

Next, apply baby oil directly to the stain and massage it in gently with your fingers. The oil will help to break down the gasoline and make it easier to remove.

Use Coffee + Hot Water Mixture

Just like baking soda, coffee grounds are excellent at absorbing odors and removing stains.

To use coffee grounds to remove gasoline from your clothes, mix them with hot water to form a paste. Then apply the paste to the affected area and let it sit for about 15 minutes. After that, just wash your clothing as usual, and the gasoline stain and smell should be gone!

Soak Your Garment in Ammonia


Simply soak the affected item in a bowl of diluted ammonia for 30 minutes, then wash as usual. The ammonia will break down the gasoline molecules and make it much easier to remove from your clothing.

And best of all, this trick is affordable! It is also a common household cleaning product that can be found at most hardware stores or supermarkets. 

How to Handle Gasoline Safely

Gasoline is one of the most common household chemicals. It is also one of the most dangerous. Gasoline is highly flammable and can cause serious burns if not handled properly.

When using gasoline, always follow these safety tips:

  1. Don’t smoke while you’re pumping gas.
  2. Don’t leave the car running while you’re pumping gas.
  3. Don’t pump gas in an enclosed space.
  4. Store gasoline only in approved containers.
  5. Dispose of used gasoline properly.
  6. Never try to siphon gasoline by mouth. 
  7. Be cautious when using flammable liquids near open flames.
  8. Keep gasoline away from children and pets.
  9. Be sure to read the labels on all gasoline products before using them.
  10. Never mix gasoline with other chemicals or liquids.
  11. If you spill gasoline on your clothing, remove it immediately and wash it thoroughly.
  12. Be aware of the dangers of static electricity when handling gasoline. Avoid contact with metal objects while pumping gas, and never pump gas while standing on dry ground.
  13. If you must pump gas in adverse weather conditions, take extra precautions to avoid static discharge by using a grounded hose and keeping your body in constant contact with the car.

Final Words

If you get gasoline on your hands, it can cause skin irritation, burns, and blisters. Prolonged contact with liquid gasoline can also cause significant irritation and degreasing. If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.

Gasoline is a highly flammable substance, so it is also important to be careful when handling it. Make sure that you are using proper safety precautions when handling gasoline, such as wearing gloves and eye protection. If you are unsure about how to safely handle gasoline, please consult a professional.

Now that you know how to remove the gasoline smell from your hands, it’s time to put these tips into practice! No one wants to be caught with smelly hands, so make sure to use these tips the next time you’re handling gas. And if you do get the smell on your clothes, you can follow the same steps. However, we recommend trying the ones we’ve mentioned explicitly for clothes! Thanks for reading, and we hope this was helpful!