How to remove smell of gasoline from clothing?

[August West]

It is a really good idea to have separate washers for work clothes and leisure/business clothes.

Yes.

 

[Teppanyaki]

For anyone who tries any of these, please post your results. I'm quite interested as to which works the best.

As for separate washers, I sure as heck don't have a separate washer. Do gas/diesel spills on clothing happen that often?

 

[August West]

For anyone who tries any of these, please post your results. I'm quite interested as to which works the best.

As for separate washers, I sure as heck don't have a separate washer. Do gas/diesel spills on clothing happen that often?

My line of work necessitated such an expense. When the companies provided uniforms they were sent out for special cleaning at CINTAS, but I think the expense of doing that for a pair of gloves, some socks, and underwear would not be cost effective. Actually, fifth wheel grease was the worst culprit for destroying garments rather than diesel spills.

 

[dpm802]

For anyone who tries any of these, please post your results. I'm quite interested as to which works the best.

Well, it too 5 wash cycles, the last 3 with baking soda and hot water, but the gasoline smell seems to be all gone. Also, I removed the gloves and put them in the garage for the last 2 cycles.

As for separate washers, I sure as heck don't have a separate washer.

I used one of these Wonder Washers for a few years when I lived in an apartment. http://www.laundry-alternative.com/product/The-Wonderwash Its small, labor intensive, but very effective. It wouldn't hold more than about one days worth of clothes, so I had to do a load of wash every day, or else spend my entire weekend catching up. Its good for camping or use on-board a boat, but its too small for a regular home washing system. It would do quite nicely for the occasional need to launder soiled work clothes that you don't want to put in with the regular wash.

I used this as a dryer, and then hung the damp clothing on a folding rack and they would be ready to wear in a few hours. http://www.laundry-alternative.com/product/Spin-Dryer

Another product that looks good is the Laundry-Pod, since it will combine both washer and dryer functions in one unit. I haven't tried it, but the specs look good. http://www.thelaundrypod.com/

 

[August West]

Well, it too 5 wash cycles, the last 3 with baking soda and hot water, but the gasoline smell seems to be all gone. Also, I removed the gloves and put them in the garage for the last 2 cycles.

I used one of these Wonder Washers for a few years when I lived in an apartment. http://www.laundry-alternative.com/product/The-Wonderwash Its small, labor intensive, but very effective. It wouldn't hold more than about one days worth of clothes, so I had to do a load of wash every day, or else spend my entire weekend catching up. Its good for camping or use on-board a boat, but its too small for a regular home washing system. It would do quite nicely for the occasional need to launder soiled work clothes that you don't want to put in with the regular wash.

I used this as a dryer, and then hung the damp clothing on a folding rack and they would be ready to wear in a few hours. http://www.laundry-alternative.com/product/Spin-Dryer



Another product that looks good is the Laundry-Pod, since it will combine both washer and dryer functions in one unit. I haven't tried it, but the specs look good. http://www.thelaundrypod.com/

I am glad your efforts triumphed over my pessimism. Nicely done. Glad you saved the gear. I imagine without repeated abuse a one time spill can be rectified.

 

[dpm802]

I am glad your efforts triumphed over my pessimism. Nicely done. Glad you saved the gear. I imagine without repeated abuse a one time spill can be rectified.

Well, this thread has taught me a lot. Next time, I'll know to wash the gloves separately, and to pre-soak them before they hit the machine. I would have used Simple Green if I had any on hand. The baking soda seemed to help a lot. I think I'll skip the coffee-grounds treatment.

Thanks to everyone for all your suggestions.

 

[SmoovD]

Bourbon? A few fingers and you either won't care about the smell or will give that whole "work thing" a second thought.

 

[captaincaveman]

As for separate washers, I sure as heck don't have a separate washer. Do gas/diesel spills on clothing happen that often?

Craigslist has plenty of cheap washers and occasionally a free one. For your nasty fuel and oil soaked clothes you don't need a great washer nor the cleanest one ever, just one that works; and if it fails you're not going to be totally screwed, so you don't have to worry about longevity. What you really need for it is not money but space.

Or you can wash that stuff in a bucket. As mentioned above, a plunger will suffice to agitate it, or even just a stick IMO.

 

[Legion]

Perchloroethylene. That stuff will clean just about anything. Talk to your local dry cleaner. In Australia at least you need a licence to get hold of the stuff, it is a heavy organic solvent, but it is the business for cleaning things. It will strip the oil off a bicycle chain (I know for a fact, did it all the time), it will clean the gas off your clothes, remove tell tale blood stains, and cures what ails ya. Step right up!

I'm serious. Just pay to have them dry cleaned. Just tell them to use a buttload of Perc on them. They will know what you are talking about.