# How do I get the smell of gasoline out of van carpet?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-the-smell-of-gasoline-out-of-van-carpet/125899>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 28, 2002, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-the-smell-of-gasoline-out-of-van-carpet/125899 "2002-08-28T04:00:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![MentalGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/439d5e/32.png) [@MentalGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MentalGuy)\
**Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-the-smell-of-gasoline-out-of-van-carpet/125899/1 "2002-08-28T04:00:55Z")

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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?

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**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\
**Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-the-smell-of-gasoline-out-of-van-carpet/125899/2 "2002-08-28T04:32:14Z")

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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.

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**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\
**Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-the-smell-of-gasoline-out-of-van-carpet/125899/3 "2002-08-28T13:20:06Z")

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I’d say just let the van air out. Gasoline evaporates quickly, so most likely all you’re still smelling is the fumes anyway.

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**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\
**Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-the-smell-of-gasoline-out-of-van-carpet/125899/4 "2002-08-28T13:24:45Z")

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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.

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**Author:** ![mmmiiikkkeee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/edb3f5/32.png) [@mmmiiikkkeee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mmmiiikkkeee)\
**Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-the-smell-of-gasoline-out-of-van-carpet/125899/5 "2002-08-28T23:34:03Z")

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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.