How to remove kerosene from clothes [SOLVED]

After the discovery of Kerosene by Gesner in 1853, mankind has put the petroleum product to various kinds of uses ranging from lamp fuel, heating oil, chemical properties, and fire entertainment; the word kerosene is even a popular name in the aviation industry. However, despite the versatility of the product, it sure has its downside.

Although most people don’t believe Kerosene has an offensive odor, I’m sure everybody will agree with me that the smell of kerosene is not pleasant. When you deal with kerosene, albeit it might not be every time, but occasionally, you get stained; this will leave your clothing with a nasty smell and obvious discoloration.

Removing Kerosene stains is easy, but only if you know the best method: read this article for all you need to know about “how to remove kerosene smell from clothes”

Table of Contents

What is Kerosene made of?

Kerosene is an extract from petroleum chemical mixtures buried deep beneath the earth’s surface. These chemical mixtures comprise elements like water oil, rocks as well as some other contaminants that are found within the subterranean reservoirs which compose majorly of carbonate rock, and a permeable layer of sandstone. The oil component in the composition is obtained from a decomposed organism that was buried together with other deposits from the early geological period.

Over the years, these buried organic deposits were put through complex chemical processes called catagensis and diagenesis to transform them into petroleum. Typically, diagenesis is performed under a temperature level of about 122°F or below and involves activities such as Microbial activities as well as chemical reactions like; Polymerization, condensation, dehydration, and cyclization. On the other hand, catagenesis is performed under temperature levels ranging from 122°F to 392°F and involves activities such as hydrogen disproportionation, thermocatalytic cracking, and decarboxylation. It is the combination of these complex processes that lead to the formation of hydrocarbon mixture that everybody knows as petroleum.

Can Kerosene stain clothes?

Yes, Kerosene can stain your clothes and any other materials like carpets and even countertops. Kerosene will cause your clothing or carpet to discolor when it accidentally spills on the piece of clothing you are putting on when making use of the liquid substance. Not only that it will stain your clothing, but it will also leave your clothes with their natural unpleasant odor.

Although as time goes on, the odor might start to fade away, the damage will still be very much apparent on the fabric, therefore, it is better to clean kerosene-stained clothe almost immediately after it happened. Also, another thing about Kerosene stain is that the smaller the spill, the easier your cleaning job will be.

Why Kerosene can stain clothes

Kerosene contains lots of chemicals in its composition that will react almost immediately on any kind of surface they come in contact with. And if immediate attention is not given, the damage caused may go beyond discoloration and odor, because these chemicals present in kerosene make the highly flammable liquid potent enough to lift other stains if cautiously applied.

Therefore, depending on the material of your fabric, the chemicals may also cause your clothes to fade faster than expected.

Can you wash Kerosene out of clothes?

Yes, you can get kerosene out of clothes. However, I wouldn’t say it will be a walkover victory for you because kerosene stains are classified as oily and are among one of the most difficult stains to remove. Even if you can remove the discoloration, the smell may persist for some time and I’m sure you don’t wanna go around smelling like Kerosene.

The best way you can make your job easier is by getting the affected clothes soaked in an effective cleaning solution immediately you notice you have a Kerosene spill on your clothing.

What will remove Kerosene from clothing?

Since you are dealing with oily stains, the best way to attack such stains is by first soaking your cloth and washing afterward with an abrasive cleaner like vinegar, baking soda, dish detergent (Dawn), Shampoo, and Borax. To achieve the best result, use the combination of two or more of these cleaners.

How to wash clothes with Kerosene stains on them

Like I said earlier, removing Kerosene stains is one of the most difficult tasks in cleaning, but when you treat the stain as early as possible and use the right method and cleaner, your job will become simplified. Listed below are the step-by-step approaches to completely eradicating any form of Kerosene discoloration on your piece of clothing. Read carefully for details.

Place the affected clothe under running water and get them soaked.
Pour a moderate amount of oil-reducing detergent on the stained spot and rub it in with your hand. This oil-reducing cleaner can be any Shampoo, soap, or facial cleanser.
Leave the cleaner of your choice to sit for about 30 minutes so that it can work to break the stains.
Rinse the clothing thoroughly with cool water to get rid of all the traces of soap. If the stain persists, repeat the whole process until the stain is completely gone.
Pour baking soda on the treated spot then proceed to the next stage depending on the maker of your washing machine. If your washing machine is a top load, proceed to step 6. But if you use a front-loading washing machine, move straight to step 7.
Put your clothing into the washing machine and set it to the hottest water settings that your fabric can tolerate. Start the wash cycle without adding any detergent. Once the rinse cycle starts, open the lid of the machine then pour 2 cups of distilled white vinegar. Close the lid for about a minute to get the vinegar agitated. Open the lid once again and leave the clothing in the machine to soak for about 2 hours. Close the lid again and wait until the wash cycle completes. Start a new wash cycle afresh, but this time, make use of regular laundry soap. On completion of the new wash cycle, dry the clothing according to the care instruction label.
Make a solution from the mixtures of 2 cups of distilled white vinegar and warm water in a laundry tub. Leave the clothing to soak in the solution for about 2 hours. Put the Kerosene stained clothes in your front-loading machine. Open the dispenser drawer, they pour any high-efficiency detergent of your choice in the detergent compartment. Set your machine to the hottest water setting your fabric can withstand. Run a complete wash cycle and dry afterward according to the care instruction care label of your clothing.

How to get the smell of Kerosene out of clothing

Kerosene stain causes discoloration and odor, in the section above, the discussion was centered around how the discoloration can be removed. Here, I will be discussing in detail, how you can remove the odor of Kerosene that may linger after successfully removing the stain. Check below for details.

Check if the clothing is still wet from the previous wash, if it is, apply baking soda on the affected spot: but if not get it dampened, then apply baking soda.
Wash in the washing machine the normal way using a laundry detergent.
Once the rinse cycle starts, pour 2 cups of distilled white vinegar in the machine and allow to agitate for some minutes so that the vinegar can circulate.
Turn off the machine and leave the clothing to soak in the vinegar solution for about 2 hours.
Turn on the machine and begin the rinse cycle all over again. (If you like you may also use vinegar in the next rinse cycle).
Dry the cloth according to the care instruction.

How to remove Kerosene smell without washing

If your unwashable clothes as a wedding dress get stained with kerosene, the best way to get rid of the strong smell is using coffee grounds. Coffee grounds absorb the strong kerosene odor. All you have to do is put the affected piece of clothing in a plastic bag with coffee grounds and close the bag. Do not open the bag until about 2 days or 24 hours.

Does Kerosene stain concrete?

Yes, Kerosene stains concrete. When you are filling your lantern or kerosene heater with the flammable liquid, always take care not to spill it over your concrete floor or counter, it will stain them.

Kerosene leaves oily stains on concrete which may be difficult to remove especially when you leave it untreated for a long time. You will find details about how to remove kerosene stains from different surfaces below, keep reading.

How to remove kerosene stains from concrete

Pour cat litter generously on the spill site and leave it on until the spill is fully absorbed by the litter. Pack the litter afterward with a dustpan and dispose of it into a refuse bag.
Spray the stained spot with a heavy-duty detergent, then leave it on for about 10 minutes before scrubbing the site with a nylon scrub brush dampened in hot water.
Absorb the liquids on the treated spot by placing a dry clean cloth on the site, changing it into a new one once it becomes saturated with the cleaning solution. Do this until the whole liquid is absorbed.
Leave to air dry.
Treat the odor by spreading baking soda literally on the treated spot. Leave it on there for about 24 hours before sweeping it up.

How to remove kerosene stains from glass

Mix vinegar and water in equal parts to form a cleaning solution.
Pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray generously on the stained spot.
Rub the site with a clean kitchen paper towel.
Repeat the process as required until the whole stain is lifted.
Wipe the treated spot afterward with a damp cloth.
Wipe dry treated surface with a clean dry paper towel.

How to get kerosene stain out of carpet

Open the windows so that the kerosene odor can diffuse outdoor.
Place a disposable rag on the stained site to prevent the spill from spreading further.
Spread cornstarch or baking soda or any absorbent of your choice generously on the stained area and leave it to sit for about 10 to 15 minutes.
Vacuum the absorbent of the site.
Apply a dry cleaning solvent on a white rag or cloth and blot directly on the stained spot. Repeat this process until you become convinced that the whole stain is gone.
Make another solution by mixing equal parts of vinegar and liquid soap with 2 cups of water.
Dip a sponge into this solution and sponge the treated spit with it. Repeat the process until you have covered the whole site.
Place a clean white towel on the treated site and place a heavy object on the absorbent towel to dry the worksite.