How to Remove a Gasoline Smell from Leather
Gasoline has a strong smell that can linger on for some time after it has been spilled. Leather is a porous material that soaks up stains and odors easily. Removing the smell of gasoline from a leather product may take some time and be a type of "trial and error" project. Use an absorbent medium to remove the odor.
If one method does not work, keep an open mind and try another way to get the gasoline smell out of leather.
Things You Will Need
- White vinegar
- Water
- Measuring cup
- Measuring spoon
- Bowl
- Sponge
- Plastic bag or cardboard box
- Baking soda or cornstarch
- Cat litter
- Potatoes
- Drying rack
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Read the care label if you are working with a leather jacket or another type of leather clothing. Leather generally should not be immersed in water, and leather garments that are treated and dyed may have more specific care requirements.
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Combine 1 tbsp. white vinegar with 1 cup of water in a mixing bowl.
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Dip a sponge in the water and vinegar solution. Squeeze out the excess liquid. The sponge should be damp.
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Dab the sponge on the leather that smells like gasoline. If the gas smell has permeated deep into the leather fibers, cleaning the material may help draw out the odor. The vinegar helps to neutralize the smell, and the vinegar odor will dissipate within a day or so.
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Place the malodorous leather object in a zip-top plastic bag or a cardboard box that is filled with baking soda, cornstarch or clay-based cat litter. All of these powder-based materials are designed to absorb odors. Leave the bag or box overnight, then remove the item and shake off the excess powder.
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Cut up a raw potato and place it in a bag or box with the soiled leather if the smell remains after previous trials. Leave the potatoes in with the leather for several hours. Remove the leather. Discard the potatoes; determine if the gasoline smell remains.
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Place the leather object on a clothes drying rack, if applicable, or in a well-ventilated area to air out.
The Drip Cap
- Gasoline has a strong smell that can linger on for some time after it has been spilled.
- Use an absorbent medium to remove the odor.
- Squeeze out the excess liquid.
- If the gas smell has permeated deep into the leather fibers, cleaning the material may help draw out the odor.
- Place the malodorous leather object in a zip-top plastic bag or a cardboard box that is filled with baking soda, cornstarch or clay-based cat litter.
References
Writer Bio
Erica Roth has been a writer since 2007. She is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and was a college reference librarian for eight years. Roth earned a Bachelor of Arts in French literature from Brandeis University and Master of Library Science from Simmons College Graduate School of Library and Information Science. Her articles appear on various websites.
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