The repulsive smell of kerosene can be strenuous to remove from clothes because it lingers long after treating the stains.
Kerosene spilling on your clothes is not the only way to absorb the smell as the fumes travel fast. Whether an uncovered kerosene jar, a random person working with kerosene nearby, or surface kerosene spills, your clothes can absorb and retain the smell.
There are ways to take the stain treatment a step further and have your clothes smelling fresh and kerosene-free.
5 Ways to Remove Kerosene Smells from Clothes
Removing kerosene smells from clothes requires a combined effort of pretreatment, vigorous washing, and second washing. Some household items and store-bought products can be suitable for the task.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is an absorbent stain remover and deodorizer that can remove stubborn stains and smells. Treating the clothes with baking soda will take a while because it needs time to absorb the smells.
Procedure:
- Arrange the affected clothes on a flat surface to see the kerosene stains well.
- Place a pile of paper towels or cardboard at the back of the stains to create a barrier between the stained areas and the unaffected areas to prevent further staining.
- Pour a good stain remover on the stained area and gently scrub with a soft brush.
- Leave the treatment to soak for 30 minutes or the time stated on the label.
- Rinse the clothes with cold water.
- Run a “normal” wash cycle with a hot water setting or whatever setting the care label allows. Separate the clothes by color, and don’t place another laundry with the kerosene clothes in the washer.
- Use a suitable laundry detergent for the wash cycle.
- When the wash cycle ends, bring out the clothes without drying.
- Place the clothes on a flat surface again.
- Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on the clothes.
- Leave the baking soda to absorb the remaining smells for hours.
- When the kerosene smell leaves the clothes, place them into the washer for a second wash cycle.
- Hang the clothes on a clothesline to air-dry under direct sunlight.
Eucalyptus Oil
This essential oil has many healing properties with a scent that can overpower many things. A few drops of eucalyptus oil are enough to remove the kerosene smell.
Procedure:
- Arrange the affected clothes on a flat surface to see the kerosene stains well.
- Place a pile of paper towels or cardboard at the back of the stains to create a barrier between the stained areas and the unaffected areas to prevent further staining.
- Pour a good stain remover and six drops of eucalyptus oil on the stained area and gently scrub with a soft brush.
- Leave the treatment to soak for 30 minutes or the time stated on the label.
- Rinse the clothes with cold water.
- Run a “normal” wash cycle with a hot water setting or whatever setting the care label allows. Separate the clothes by color, and don’t place another laundry with the kerosene clothes in the washer.
- Use a suitable laundry detergent for the wash cycle.
- When the wash cycle ends, bring out the clothes without drying.
- Place the clothes on a flat surface again.
- Pour warm water into a bowl and pour ten drops of eucalyptus oil.
- Submerge the clothes into the water and let them soak for hours.
- Rinse the clothes and place them into the washer for a second wash cycle.
- Hang the clothes on a clothesline to air-dry under direct sunlight.
White Vinegar
White vinegar is a powerful stain remover, degreaser, and deodorizer. It is suitable for removing kerosene smells from clothes.
Perform a patch test on the affected clothes to avoid discoloration because white vinegar has some bleaching properties.
Procedure:
- Arrange the affected clothes on a flat surface to see the kerosene stains well.
- Place a pile of paper towels or cardboard at the back of the stains to create a barrier between the stained areas and the unaffected areas to prevent further staining.
- Pour white vinegar on the stained area and gently scrub with a soft brush.
- Leave the treatment to soak for 20 minutes or the time stated on the label.
- Rinse the clothes with cold water.
- Run a “normal” wash cycle with a hot water setting or whatever setting the care label allows. Separate the clothes by color, and don’t place another laundry with the kerosene clothes in the washer.
- Use a suitable laundry detergent for the wash cycle.
- When the wash cycle ends, bring out the clothes without drying.
- Place the clothes on a flat surface again.
- Fill a bowl or bathtub with warm water and pour a cup of white vinegar.
- Submerge the clothes in the mixture and let them soak for hours.
- When the kerosene smell leaves the clothes, place them into the washer for a second wash cycle.
- Pour a cup of white vinegar during the rinse cycle.
- Hang the clothes on a clothesline to air-dry under direct sunlight.
Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is a well-known medical treatment for cuts and wounds. It can also function as a cleaning agent and deodorizer because of its alcohol content. Alcohol will dissolve stains and foul smells from clothes and surfaces.
Rubbing alcohol can be harsh on delicate fabrics like silk, so you should always perform a patch test before proceeding with the treatment.
Procedure:
- Arrange the affected clothes on a flat surface to see the kerosene stains well.
- Place a pile of paper towels or cardboard at the back of the stains to create a barrier between the stained areas and the unaffected areas to prevent further staining.
- Pour rubbing alcohol on the stained area and gently scrub with a soft brush.
- Leave the treatment to soak for 15 minutes.
- Rinse the clothes with cold water to remove the rubbing alcohol.
- Run a “normal” wash cycle with a hot water setting or whatever setting the care label allows. Separate the clothes by color, and don’t place another laundry with the kerosene clothes in the washer.
- Use a suitable laundry detergent for the wash cycle.
- When the wash cycle ends, bring out the clothes without drying.
- Place the clothes on a flat surface again.
- Fill a bowl or bucket with room temperature water and pour a cup of rubbing alcohol and a ¼ cup of detergent.
- Submerge the clothes in the mixture and leave them to soak for an hour.
- Rinse the clothes under cold running water until you cannot perceive any kerosene smells.
- Place the clothes in the washer for a second wash.
- Remove the clothes from the washer and spray rubbing alcohol on them.
- Hang the clothes on a clothesline to air-dry.
Coffee Grounds
Coffee has the inane ability to absorb odors from clothes and surfaces. Some people use coffee as a natural air freshener, but you should love the scent.
Procedure:
- Arrange the affected clothes on a flat surface to see the kerosene stains well.
- Place a pile of paper towels or cardboard at the back of the stains to create a barrier between the stained areas and the unaffected areas to prevent further staining.
- Pour a good stain remover on the stained area and gently scrub with a soft brush.
- Leave the treatment to soak for 30 minutes or the time stated on the label.
- Rinse the clothes with cold water.
- Run a “normal” wash cycle with a hot water setting or whatever setting the care label allows. Separate the clothes by color, and don’t place another laundry with the kerosene clothes in the washer.
- Use a suitable laundry detergent for the wash cycle.
- When the wash cycle ends, bring out the clothes without drying.
- Pour enough coffee grounds into a paper or plastic bag.
- Place the clothes into the bag and close it.
- After a few hours, when the coffee absorbs the kerosene smell, place them into the washer for a second wash cycle.
- Hang the clothes on a clothesline to air-dry under direct sunlight.