Gasoline / Fuel Oil Odors

Posted by Ozone Solutions on 24th Nov 2021

Ozone effectively removes gas and fuel oil odors.

Gasoline in the carpet emits an odor that might be difficult to overcome, but can be defeated with ozone after the process of cleaning takes place. Eliminating fuel oil can be a lengthy process but can be very successful if all steps are followed.

Ask yourself these questions for removing gasoline odors

  • Can you pin point where there might be a stronger odor in the carpet or fabric?
  • Did the gas can vibrate during transportation which splattered in different areas?
  • Is there a leak in a gas line that is spraying the bottom side of the vehicle?
  • Was there a gas spill in the trunk that is lingering into the cab area?
  • Is there something in the trunk that has a gas, some type of petroleum film or residue on it?
  • Was the home previously heated by fuel oil and the house smells like it?
  • Did the fuel oil tank in the basement leak?

Follow these steps for removing gasoline odors

  1. If possible, pull the carpet to treat the pad or soak up and clean the metal.
  2. Rub baking soda (with fingers or small brush) into the backing of the carpet. Let is absorb for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Vacuum off baking soda and replace back into position on the auto's floor.
  4. Apply the baking soda with your finger or small brush. Brush lightly and do not brush in one area more than 3 light strokes. Again, let absorb for at least 30 minutes.
  5. Since the odor is to be addressed yet, an ozone generator can be rented or purchased for the air and other fabrics to be deodorized.
  6. If the fabric is very soiled, steam cleaning will tremendously help after these processes are complete. Diesel fuel will need a solvent cleaning agent.

Ask yourself these questions before removing fuel oil odors

  • Was the home previously heated by fuel oil and the tank was in the basement? If so, did it leak in the basement?
  • Did the fuel oil tank in the basement overflow when filling it?
  • Has the fuel oil tank been recently used or has it been unused for years?
  • Has the concrete become discolored after cleaning?

Follow these steps for removing fuel oil odors

  1. Use a wet vac to extract any excess fuel oil that might be pooled in places. The wet vac might have to be cleaned multiple times when finished before it is put back into use.
  2. If using any type of absorbing cloth when soaking up the excess fuel oil keep in mind they might have to be disposed.
  3. The next step is to purchase a quality floor dry used in auto mechanic repair shops.
  4. Spread a healthy layer of floor dry onto the fuel oil spilled area and leave it to soak up the fuel oil until the color of the floor dry has totally changed.
  5. Sweep, scoop or suck up the floor dry with a wet / dry vac.
  6. Repeat, but apply a thinner layer this time. This process may take multiple times until the color transfer finally comes close to a halt.
  7. When all floor dry is cleaned up, an automatic scrubber should be rented or borrowed for the next process.
  8. Mix up an oil / degreasing cleaning agent diluted with water with a fuel oil attacking additive to be applied through the scrubber tank or poured on by bucket. This fuel oil additive is an important ingredient that can not be skipped.
  9. Scrub the floor from as many directions as possible ensuring to reach all cracks and crevices where the fuel oil was.
  10. Extract the soiled cleaner with a wet vac and dispose it down the toilet or sewage drain.
  11. This process needs to be repeated multiple times until the cleaning mixture does not show any dirty / oily color after the scrubbing process is finished.
  12. Once all has been extracted; running fans, opening windows and turning on dehumidifiers will help dry the concrete floors quickly. The fuel oil odor remover might have a lingering odor that is still working to neutralize the fuel oil. Air-out time is necessary for this type of odor.
  13. If time is an issue, after the floor is dry and the humidity is well on its way down to 40%, an ozone generator can be used to start the ambient odor removal from all hidden areas that did not get deodorizing attention.