I bought gasoline for the lawnmower the other day and was transporting it home in the back of the minivan. It turned over and some of it leaked out. I soaked up what I could, but it was in the carpet pretty good. Is there anyway to get it out, or if not, is there anyway to neutralize the smell?
First try sleaning the stain with laundry detergent, warm water, and a scrubbing brush. Sop up the soapy water with a shop-vac or the vaccuum at the car wash: they can safely suck up some water.
To cover up any residual odor, sprinkle on some vanilla extract.
I’d say just let the van air out. Gasoline evaporates quickly, so most likely all you’re still smelling is the fumes anyway.
Gasoline was the original dry-cleaning fluid. If you open the van up and let it sit awhile, your problem will be solved.
You might have a clean patch where it was soaked, though.
Letting gasoline-soaked material air out is quite common. It’s basically what a soil gas vaccuum extraction of contaminated soil around gas stations is. It volatilises pretty easy, so just leave the van doors open for a while and it should go away.