Sometimes a foreign smell appears in the house. Housewives are diligently trying to find and eliminate the cause. Neither general cleaning nor ventilation helps. But often an ordinary washing machine exudes a stench. This is facilitated by a humid environment and residues of detergents on equipment parts, which are layered wash after wash. There are many ways to help solve this problem at home. However, there are other categories of odors, the fight against which is more difficult. For example, petroleum products. They can only get into the machine in one way - when washing clothes soaked in chemicals. As a rule, these are men's overalls from the garage or an attempt to remove difficult stains with a folk remedy - using fuel. If you need to remove the smell of gasoline from your washing machine, then you should read this article to the end. It contains the most effective methods.
Fabric softener
If the situation is not too aggravated, then regular fabric softener will help. We pour it into the compartments for rinse aid and washing powder. Then we select a program in which you can combine the maximum time with the average temperature. Thus, the inner surface of the machine is washed with scented water twice - during washing and during rinsing.
Soda - simple but powerful
Baking soda is the simplest substance that can be found in every housewife’s arsenal. Place 200 grams of soda in the powder compartment, then select a long program so that the product acts on the parts for as long as possible. In this case, there should be no things in the drum. This method will remove the smell of gasoline, and the car will continue to serve the benefit of the family.
Special odor neutralizers for cars
To eliminate odors in the car interior, special neutralizers can be used. A large number of manufacturers produce such auto cosmetics, which allows you to choose the best option in each specific case.
These products are preferable to flavorings, as they make it possible to solve the problem rather than camouflage it.
Doctor Wax
The environmentally friendly neutralizer is designed for car interior care. The gel product with a natural fresh aroma has a compact packaging, allowing it to be placed under the seat.
The principle of operation is absorption, not masking, of unpleasant odors. The average price is 380 rubles.
Helmetex Auto
The neutralizer has an aromatherapy effect. It eliminates unpleasant odors, including specific odors from gasoline and diesel fuel, as well as other persistent ones. It has a disinfectant and antibacterial effect and is hypoallergenic.
The product is suitable for treating plastic, fabric and leather surfaces, interiors and luggage compartments.
Produced in Russia. Volume – 100 ml. The average price is 450 rubles per bottle.
Deliss
The drug is designed to effectively eliminate odors in the car interior. Gives the aroma of light pleasant freshness.
The neutralizer works at the molecular level, coping with unpleasant odors, including those from gasoline, animals, food, etc.
The drug was created using Japanese technology, manufactured in Russia. The average cost is from 220 rubles per 100 ml.
The power of vinegar
Acetic acid is a universal remedy, tested by hundreds of housewives. Eliminates unpleasant “odors” of almost any origin at home. Pour a glass of table vinegar into the detergent container and turn on the “idle” wash at the highest temperature. At the same time, you need to know that the first part of the water that enters the machine is drained. Experts recommend waiting 30 seconds after starting the program, and only then pour in vinegar. This ensures that the product gets to all the right places.
Remember
Now you know how to remove the smell of diesel fuel from clothes and from your car. I'll add some useful tips:
- Wear gloves. To avoid skin problems, protect your hands with rubber gloves every time you use any product.
- Ventilate after washing. After washing diesel stains, hang the items in a well-ventilated area to help the smell dissipate faster.
- Take the test. Before using the product, perform a bend test on the clothing to see how the composition interacts with the fabric.
Citric acid - double benefit
The scale accumulated over years of continuous operation absorbs odors. The smell of gasoline is no exception. Therefore, to eliminate the stench from the washing machine, you first need to get rid of it. Stores offer dozens of advertised formulations for this purpose. As a rule, they are all expensive and not everyone lives up to expectations. There is a simple, but no less effective substance - citric acid. Instead of powder, add 200 - 250 grams of acid and start the machine. The best option for this procedure is the boiling or “Cleaning the drum” mode, which is equipped with advanced modern models.
After finishing washing, be sure to examine the inside surface and all rubber parts for any remaining broken pieces. Remove them and leave the door open to dry.
This method will help not only remove the smell of gasoline, but also get rid of the hated scale, which often damages cars.
Fresh bread absorbs odors well. Why not use this property for a washing machine. A large piece of bread - about half a loaf, put it in a drum and close it for several hours, or better yet, overnight. Then open the door and let the car air out. This is perhaps the oldest method of getting rid of unpleasant odors at home.
Store offers
For those who don’t believe that you can remove the smell of gasoline from your car using improvised means, supermarkets offer a number of options:
- Frau Schmidt neutralizes any foreign odor. It will leave behind a delicate lemon aroma,
- Fine from Well Done are tablets that leave behind an unpleasant chemical odor for a short time. But they remove the smell of gasoline and more. Plus, machine parts are disinfected.
- Filtero works on the principle of citric acid - it removes scale and, along with it, odors.
- Beckmann not only eliminates unpleasant odors, but also carefully removes stone deposits. It also removes deposits from detergents.
This is just a small list of factory products. There are also more budget options on store shelves, however, these, according to experts, are the most effective.
Fresh lemon
Experienced housewives use lemon to eliminate odors in kitchen cabinets, refrigerators and shoe chests. It is even used to get rid of the smell of alcohol after heavy libations. Its properties work flawlessly in any conditions and household appliances are no exception. In order to remove stench from the washing machine, just cut the lemon along with the skin into several parts and put them in the drum. Close the door for a few hours and wait for the result. Lemon will not only get rid of the smell of gasoline in the car, but will also leave its scent for a long time.
Extraction gasoline
How to wash diesel fuel, you need to choose from available materials. If you discover damage to a jacket or other fabric product, you should not resort to radical measures and get rid of the unpleasant-smelling item. Resuscitation actions can be performed using extraction gasoline (dearomatized composition), which is used to produce refined oil.
A purified petroleum product can eliminate the stench of diesel fuel only when used correctly. Difficult to remove stains are treated with the composition and soaked in liquid. Afterwards, wash and rinse the object to be cleaned in warm water (30-40 degrees). It is recommended to dry the item outdoors (can be on a balcony or loggia), providing the necessary fresh air circulation to ventilate the material.
Chlorine as a last resort
If all the methods outlined above have been tried, but it still doesn’t work to remove the smell of gasoline from the washing machine, then you will have to resort to a last resort - use chlorine. However, this method is not suitable for every model. You need to check in the instructions whether the use of chlorine-containing compounds is allowed. If the hoses are plastic and not rubber, then chlorine will probably damage them.
Prevention measures
To ensure that your machine never develops unpleasant odors, follow a few simple rules:
- Do not put things into the drum that smell of chemicals and petroleum products.
- Do not close the door after washing - the drum must be ventilated.
- After washing, wipe the rubber seal with a dry cloth.
- Do not store dirty laundry in the machine.
- Regularly clean the inside of the device with special or folk remedies - soda, citric acid, vinegar.
To avoid dealing with unpleasant odors in your washing machine, carefully sort your items before loading them. If you find clothes that smell of petroleum products - gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, put them aside. Then you will not have to resort to the methods described above, each of which requires repeatedly running the device dry.
Sometimes a foreign smell appears in the house. Housewives are diligently trying to find and eliminate the cause. Neither general cleaning nor ventilation helps. But often an ordinary washing machine exudes a stench. This is facilitated by a humid environment and residues of detergents on equipment parts, which are layered wash after wash. There are many ways to help solve this problem at home. However, there are other categories of odors, the fight against which is more difficult. For example, petroleum products. They can only get into the machine in one way - when washing clothes soaked in chemicals. As a rule, these are men's overalls from the garage or an attempt to remove difficult stains with a folk remedy - using fuel . If you need to remove the smell of gasoline from your washing machine, then you should read this article to the end. It contains the most effective methods.
Causes of odor
The smell of gasoline or other petroleum product in the drum of a washing machine can appear in only one way. Clothes soaked in caustic substances were washed in the car. Often gasoline or kerosene is used to remove greasy stains on clothes, without rinsing the product after such treatment, housewives throw the item into the machine and wash it at high temperature. The result is that the car smells of gasoline.
Gasoline often ends up on the clothes of drivers who accidentally spill fuel while refueling. In addition, clothing can become saturated with exhaust gases, which are also quite persistent and caustic and do not erode well.
Remember! Items soaked in kerosene, gasoline, or diesel fuel should not be washed in an automatic machine. Such things are first soaked for several hours in cold water.
We use baking soda and vinegar
One of the most common recipes for combating odors in the washing machine is a recipe based on baking soda. The essence of this method is that half a four hundred gram pack of soda is poured into the powder compartment. Then any washing mode starts, but only at a temperature of no more than 30 degrees. There is no need to put things in the drum.
Important! You cannot start boiling and washing with water heated to more than 30 degrees, as the oily smell of gasoline will ingrain even more strongly into the rubber parts of the machine.
To enhance the effect of dry washing, you can wash the rubber bands and drainage filter with soda manually.
Most often, drops of gasoline remain in the rubber cuff. The second way to remove odor is to run a dry wash with white vinegar. This vinegar is not concentrated, unlike regular vinegar. Start the wash cycle and wait a few seconds. Then pour a glass of vinegar into the powder receptacle. Why can't you fill it right away? The fact is that water is drawn into the drum in several stages and in order not to wash the vinegar out of the drum, it is better to pour it in before the last addition of water.
The vinegar smell neutralizes the smell of gasoline, but remains in the washing machine for a while. However, vinegar dissipates quickly, so open the drum door and thoroughly ventilate the room where the equipment is located.
Factory means
Special products, the choice of which in the store is quite large, cope well with various unpleasant odors. Here's what you can use:
- Frau Schmidt cleaner – leaves behind a pleasant lemon scent;
- Fine tablets from Well Done - after using this product, an unpleasant smell of chemicals remains, but it will quickly go away, the main thing is that it is able to kill the smell of gasoline and all microbes;
- Dr. Beckmann product - not only fights odors, but also water stone and plaque.
- Filtero product - this product is intended for descaling washing machines, but at the same time it also removes odors from the drum well.
The above substances should be used only according to the instructions indicated on the label. Each of them is poured in a certain volume, be careful.
How to remove diesel fumes from clothes?
It is very difficult to remove fuel aromas, but here are some useful tips:
- Fill a container with water. Pour in aviation kerosene - 50 g. Soak things for 40-50 minutes. Wring out and wash by hand.
- Soak the clothes in the dishwashing liquid solution. For 5 liters of water take 5 tablespoons. Soaking time is half a day. Then wash by hand.
- Fill a bowl with hot water. Pour in vinegar - 100 g. Or citric acid - 50 g. Soaking time - 6 hours. Wash and dry.
- Place diesel-smelling clothes in cold water. Add mustard and stir it. Rinse.
- Dissolve soda ash - 3 tbsp. spoons in 5 liters of water. Immerse the item for 40 minutes. Wring out and wash.
- Wipe diesel stains with solvent. White spirit or acetone will do. They will remove both pollution and its vapors.
How to remove the unpleasant odor of gasoline or solvent using vinegar
The smell of gasoline may remain in the car after washing work clothes or items from which stains have recently been removed. In this case, available products and the correct washing mode will help.
Ways to eliminate the smell of gasoline - table
| Gasoline odor eliminators | How to use |
| Vinegar |
|
| Vinegar and soda |
|
You can use baking soda and vinegar to remove the smell of gasoline in your washing machine.
More than one such treatment may be needed. To check the next day, run the wash with some unnecessary rag or towel. If you smell gasoline from your laundry or car, you will need to run another cleaning cycle.
If you removed stains on clothes with gasoline or solvent, you should not immediately wash such an item in the machine. Wait until the smell disappears completely.
How to find and fix a leak yourself
If you smell gasoline for a long period of time, then you need to diagnose the fuel system. This way you can find out if there is damage and where the leak occurred. The first measures can be taken independently, since thanks to the strong gasoline smell and drips, you can determine that there is a malfunction. But still, contacting a service station is mandatory.
Places where there may be a leak:
- The filler neck is a rather weak point. It can be welded to the tank or attached using a rubber gasket. The second option is more reliable. If there is a smell of fuel, these places are checked first.
- Neck cover. It should close the filler neck tightly. If the seal is broken, fuel vapors can penetrate inside the machine.
- Damage to the gas tank. This may be due to corrosion or impact from a foreign object. Accordingly, the gasoline aroma will penetrate inside the car.
- Leakage in the fuel line. Here it will be necessary to conduct a thorough inspection of the fuel system, especially the section from the tank to the carburetor.
- Damage to the fuel filter. Failure of this part causes the car to smell of gasoline. The reason is common. If it is inoperable or damaged, this element must be replaced.
- Spark plugs and injectors. If you fill the car with low-quality fuel, carbon deposits appear on the spark plug. This causes the injectors to become dirty. If you do not tighten the spark plugs tightly, then perhaps this will be the answer to the question of why the car smells like gasoline. In this case, they must be tightened well, and if they are faulty, then replaced. If there are dark spots on the spark plug, they indicate that the injectors are not working properly. There may also be a drop in pressure in the fuel rail. If the spark plugs turn red, you need to urgently change the refueling location.
- Faulty catalyst. This part performs the function of an exhaust gas purifier. If there is a malfunction, remnants of unburned fuel that is in the exhaust gas may enter it. If this is the cause of the smell of gasoline in the cabin, then the catalyst must be repaired.
Cleaning the machine from mold with citric acid
The musty smell in the washing machine is caused by insufficient drying. If you wash your car often and don't dry it well or close the door tightly, mold won't take long to form.
- Remove the container from the machine and rinse it thoroughly with hot water to remove any remaining detergent.
- Remove water from the seal folds by wiping them with a cloth. This should be done after every wash.
- Clean the seal inside with baking soda. For hard-to-reach areas, use an old toothbrush.
- Pour 80–100 g of citric acid into the container and run the wash cycle at maximum temperature.
- After the cycle is completed, remove and dry the container, wipe the seal, and allow the machine to dry completely.
2 packets of citric acid and a wash cycle at maximum temperature will save your machine from many problems
After each wash, do not close the machine door tightly. Cover it, this will provide the necessary air flow for drying and will prevent mold from appearing again.
Most often, mold “settles” in places where water stagnates—the detergent container and the folds of the door seal.
How to clean a washing machine from scale and mold - video
Why does the smell appear?
The stench from the machine permeates the laundry.
Do not use fragrances or rinse aids in an attempt to quickly kill the stench. Random remedies will only temporarily drown out the smell. If you do not destroy the source of the stench, the problem will constantly remind you of itself. Therefore, before you start getting rid of the unpleasant odor in the washing machine, determine the reason why this “aroma” appeared.
Poor quality detergents
Expired conditioner or low-quality powder does not completely dissolve, is poorly washed out and sticks to the walls of the drum, causing a musty smell.
There should not be too much detergent or past its expiration date.
Dirty tray
Sometimes the machine smells due to residues of detergents and limescale deposited on the walls of the plastic powder receptacle. To clean the washing machine tray from foreign odors, use a soap solution.
The container is removed and warm foam is applied to the surface with an old toothbrush. After 10 – 15 minutes, wipe off and rinse with warm running water. Wipe thoroughly. After airing, put it back in place. If the soap does not work, soak the container in a cleaner containing chlorine. After 1.5 hours, the foul-smelling coating will dissolve.
Reference! The powder receptacle is washed and ventilated every 2 - 3 washes to prevent the appearance of odor.
Dirt on parts causes a strong stench
Channel contamination
If the tray is rarely washed, smelly deposits will form on the surfaces of the outlet that carries gels and powders into the drum. To make sure that the stench is coming from the channel, remove the powder receptacle and, using a flashlight, look inside. With additional lighting, traces of dirt and moldy spots are clearly visible.
To deal with the problem without damaging the mechanism, they call a technician from the service center. But sometimes housewives carefully clean this part with a narrow brush used to wash dishes.
Periodically keeping the insides of your machine clean will improve its performance.
Drain filter clogged
Small debris, hair, grains of sand, and animal hair do not fall into the sewer because they are retained on the filter. An unbearable smell will indicate that the device is full of dirt. A symbol will appear on the machine's dashboard indicating the problem.
To restore the operation of the unit and remove the stench, remove the blockage. The filter is located at the bottom of the housing. Place a low container under the compartment or place a cloth loosely. Open the lid and carefully remove the part. Remove clumps of grease-soaked hair and wool. Wash with gel. Wipe dry and ventilate.
Clean elements are collected and installed in a permanent place. The filter is cleaned of debris regularly, at least once every 2–4 months (if there are animals, this is done more often).
To clean the filter, it is better for the housewife to call a specialist
Old hose
Traces of dirt, lint, and powder granules settle inside the hose and cause an unpleasant odor from the machine. Therefore, the hose needs to be cleaned regularly. To do this, run a service wash once every 4-5 weeks - at maximum temperature, without detergents and clothes (sometimes baking soda is added). A dry wash cleans the hose and drum and destroys bacteria that cause stench.
Scale
When water is heated, dissolved mineral salts are retained on the heating element in the form of a white coating. Here, greasy dirt periodically accumulates, and when heated, a foul smell is felt. To clean the electric heater, pour 4 tablespoons into the detergent tray. l. citric acid. Having set the boiling mode, start an empty wash. At the end, turn on the rinse to wash away any remaining granules.
Dirty build-up on the heating element accelerates engine wear
Additional Information! When the heating element is fouled with plaque, the energy consumption and heating time increase. Regular cleaning of the heater saves energy and extends the life of the device.
Clogged sewer lines
Sometimes the washing machine stinks, but the machine is regularly cleaned and ventilated. If a rotten smell also comes from the bathtub or sinks, then the drains are clogged. To change the pipes, they call plumbers. When connecting the hose to the drain, make sure that the flexible tube takes the shape of an arc and does not rise above 0.5 m from the floor. If the hose is connected to the drain correctly, the stench will not penetrate from the machine into the apartment.
Mold
Frequent washing in cool (+30 – 35 ℃) water with quick rinsing causes intensive growth of fungi. Room temperature and moisture are comfortable conditions for the life of microorganisms. Storing dirty clothes soaked in sweat for a long time in a drum also causes fungus to appear. Excess gels and conditioners that are not completely removed from the fabric fibers stimulate the development of microbes.
Mold grows easily on damp surfaces
Abuse of detergents
When adding powder before washing, consider:
- degree of contamination of clothing;
- instructions on the packaging of the detergent;
- hardness of water;
- drum load;
- divisions marked on the compartment.
Excess undissolved granules and traces of gels are not completely rinsed out of the fabric and remain on the hose and filter, causing an odor.
Reference! On average, to wash 5 kg of laundry, 125 g of powder is required (heavily soiled laundry is pre-soaked and washed by adding 150 g of dry granules). The consumption of concentrated drugs is reduced (the dosage is determined according to the instructions). To wash clothes in soft water, less detergent is used.
It is better not to exceed the amount of detergents according to the stated norm
What means can you eliminate the rotten smell of a swamp?
If you think a frog is about to jump out of your washing machine, it's time to take action. The rotten smell appears due to stagnation of water inside the parts. You can get rid of it by finding out the cause. The machine is constantly in contact with water during operation. It can remain in different places: drain valve filter, hose, door seal, drum. As the water stagnates, it acquires the characteristic smell of a swamp.
The rotten smell comes from stagnant water getting inside the washing machine.
The first thing to do if a rotten smell appears in the machine is to clean the filter. This can be done independently. It is necessary to remove small objects stuck inside the filter during washing. After lying in the water for some time, they begin to emit unpleasant aromas.
Attention! Before any self-diagnosis, disconnect the washing machine from the electrical network and turn off the water supply tap.
- Carefully remove the filter cover panel.
- Tilt the machine back a little so that the weight is on the back legs.
- Place a small container: container, clean scoop.
- Hold the filter and carefully unscrew it counterclockwise.
- Inspect the item. If the filter is slippery, has deposits on it, or has an object stuck in it, wash it thoroughly with a brush. Even if no problems are visible visually, rinse it under the tap.
- Look into the filter hole; something may get stuck there too. Remove any debris and clean the hole. This can be done conveniently using a long-handled brush or a small brush.
- Reinsert the filter and run a short wash cycle to check.
Burnt smell: where does it come from and how to get rid of it
If you have a new washing machine, the plastic parts may smell burning when heated. There is no need to worry during the first wash. However, if the burning smell appears regularly, then contact the service using the warranty card. You may have received a defective product.
A burning smell, as well as a rotten or rotten smell, can be emitted by the heating element. The creepy white scale heating elements from television advertising are pure fantasy. It is not lime that settles on the surface of the heating device, but a coating of lint from clothing, small debris and excess detergents. While the machine is running, this mixture begins to emit a burning smell. How to deal with it?
By regularly cleaning the heating element, you will prevent many problems and save on machine repairs
Clean the machine regularly by adding citric acid instead of powder. Set the water temperature to the maximum - 90–95 degrees. Boiling water in combination with acid relieves heating elements from sticky deposits, and your home from the burning smell.
Regular vinegar will do the job.
- Run the “empty” wash on the “boiling” program or on the maximum temperature setting.
- Wait for the first water to drain.
- Pour a glass of 9% vinegar into the detergent compartment.
- At the end of the wash, run an extra rinse cycle.
- Turn off the machine and check the drain filter; there may be pieces of scale or dirt stuck there.
If an old washing machine gives off a burning smell, it may be caused by changing the detergent. Low-quality washing powder does not dissolve well in water and settles on the heating element, creating a deposit.
How to effectively clean heating elements in a washing machine - video
Professional products: ranking of the best
Industrial preparations for treating a washing machine and its individual elements have significant advantages over traditional methods: they do not harm the structure and have proven effectiveness. Their use allows you to quickly eliminate the cause of the unpleasant odor; periodic use is a reliable prevention of its reappearance.
Effective products included in the ranking of the best include household chemicals presented in the table.
Table. Review of popular washing machine cleaning products
| Name | Manufacturer country | Description |
| Beckmann | Germany | A universal product against scale, dirt and mold. Quickly removes unpleasant odors, suitable for treating individual machine elements |
| Magic Power | Germany | One of the best preparations for treating elements of household appliances. Effectively removes deposits from heating elements and drums. Available in powder or gel form |
| Topper 3004 | Germany | Designed to destroy scale of varying severity and persistent odor. Available in 250 ml bottles, one is enough for 2 uses |
| Schnell Entkalker | Germany | Quickly and effectively removes deposits from machine elements. Suitable for use with multi-layered scale, severe mold and persistent amber |
| Kaneyo | Japan | The product has a pronounced antimicrobial effect, quickly eliminates dirt, mold, and stench. Actively fights deposits |
Step-by-step instructions for the selected product are presented on the packaging
It is important to familiarize yourself with it before use.
Professional washing machine cleaner
Features of using professional products:
- Some of the preparations are poured or poured into the powder compartment (for example, Magic Power), others are placed in a drum (Topperr 3004, Kaneyo).
- Then they start the wash, but without the items. The temperature is usually set around 40-60 °C.
- Certain preparations (Schnell Entkalker) must be introduced into the machine with water (without laundry) and left for some time (for 1 hour at the beginning of the operating mode and for the same amount at the end). This is necessary to remove stubborn plaque.
- The Beckmann product can be placed in a drum and can also be used to wipe individual parts of the machine. If the dirt and odor are persistent, you can soak them in the solution.
- The volume of most products is designed for 1-2 applications.
Preventing the appearance of unpleasant odors in the washing machine
To ensure that the machine operates for a long time and smoothly, follow the basic operating rules. For safety reasons, it is prohibited to use gasoline, acetone and other solvents in such devices.
Different types of machines have different operating rules, but the general safety precautions are the same
To prevent a musty smell from appearing inside the machine, prevent small objects from getting into the filter.
- Before each wash, check your pockets, removing all small items.
- Use special bags and covers for washing (for example, for underwear).
- If clothes have fasteners or other small fittings, fasten the item and turn it inside out, this will prevent parts from breaking.
Do not store dirty laundry in the washing machine.
- Things in the car absorb remaining water, creating a humid environment for bacteria and mold to grow.
- When storing items between washes, the machine becomes unbalanced and a serious breakdown may soon occur - a problem with drum rotation. It’s easier to buy a basket for dirty laundry; it’s obviously cheaper than a new washing machine.
Allow the machine to dry completely between washes. This simple technique ensures the safety of parts and long service life of the product.
The average lifespan of washing machines is 10 years. In order for your faithful assistant to work flawlessly throughout this period, it requires regular care: descaling, filter cleaning and thorough drying. Contact a washing machine repairman in a timely manner - high-quality diagnostics can prevent many problems.
What not to do
Gasoline belongs to the category of organic compounds and has a strong, persistent odor. The density of gasoline is 0.71 grams per centimeter³, which determines the boiling and freezing point of the substance. Physico-chemical characteristics are the basis of the rules that must be followed when handling things stained with gasoline.
Chlorine bleach
"Whiteness" is a disinfectant and cleaning agent that helps remove numerous stains from clothing or furniture. The main active ingredient of the composition is sodium hypochlorite. Chlorine bleach has a distinct, strong odor. Excessive inhalation of vapors causes toxin poisoning. If you apply chlorine bleach to a gasoline stain, an odor mixing reaction will follow. Volatile vapors can cause severe poisoning from the particles resulting from the reaction. This rule applies to any chlorine-containing bleach.
Washing machine
Sometimes motorists, in an attempt to rid clothes of the persistent gasoline smell, load things into the drum of a washing machine and turn on the high-temperature wash cycle. This is mistake. The gasoline smell spreads throughout the drum of the washing machine, and in the future, laundry washed after this load will have a persistent gasoline aroma.
Hot water
Soaking in hot water increases the smell of a gasoline stain on any item. Synthetic items will smell especially strongly.
