How to Get the Smell of Jet Fuel Out of Clothes (+ Stain Removal Guide)

Clothes smelling like jet fuel aren’t exactly the most pleasant thing in the world. And it’s not a mere whiff that sneaks in and out. It’s a proper avalanche of smell that seeps through the coveralls into your regular clothes! 

As anyone who’s ever experienced it will testify, the kerosene smell is not easy to get rid of. But don’t throw away your clothes just yet!

To remove the smell of jet fuel from your clothes, you’ll need fabric softener, baking soda, and vinegar. And a LOT of patience!

The Easiest Way to Get Jet Fuel Smells Out of Clothing

The first step is to put your garment through an initial rinse in the washing machine. This will help loosen the scent and keep your clothes smelling fresh. 

Now, you have EVERY reason to be afraid that this way, the jet fuel smell will get out of your clothes only to get in your washer!

But that’s why you’ll try to prevent it.

1. Add your favorite environmentally-friendly laundry sheets to the machine. 
2. Then, add 1 cup of baking soda and ¾ of a cup of vinegar to the machine. I bet you’re not surprised that baking soda works wonders on any kind of smell!
3. Wash the clothes as normal on the laundry cycle that’s best for your type of garment. However, make sure not to mix them with other clothes! This smell tends to spread like wildfire.
4. After you’ve rinsed your clothes in the first round, it’s time to move on to the second rinse. Leave your clothes in the washing machine and add your favorite fabric softener (eco-friendly ones will do too!) to the machine along with your chosen laundry detergent. 
5. Wash the clothing as normal. Once it comes out of the laundry machine, allow the clothing to air dry in sunlight to get rid of any final smells. 
6. Do NOT machine dry them! This would only allow any remaining stink to set in. And if there’s a stain or two, it could even spell catastrophe! Instead, hang them out to dry. If there’s any direct sunlight, it may help with the smell too.

If you’re still struggling with jet fuel smells in your clothes (and that’s a pretty likely scenario!), there are a few additional steps you can take. 

Using a strong odor-eliminating spray can help you get rid of the smell once and for all. You can also use a heavy-duty hand cleaner and rub it into the clothing. Or add a cup of clear ammonia to your wash!

If none of these work, take a look around your fridge. Is there a lonely can of Coke hiding in there? Pour it into your washing machine, along with detergent. Believe it or not, Coke does an incredible job with nasty, stubborn smells and stains.

How to Get Jet Fuel Stains Out of Clothes

Sometimes it’s not just the smell of jet fuel you need to get rid of. From time to time you’ll find jet fuel stains on your clothing. Here’s how to get these stains out of your clothes. 

1. Sprinkle an absorbent on the stain. A few natural options include baking soda and cornstarch. 
2. Allow the absorbent to sit on the stain for about 30 minutes before brushing it off into the trash can. 
3. Now, pretreat the stain by rubbing a bit of dish soap into the stain and allow it to sit for a few minutes. 
4. When the time is up, place your clothes in the laundry machine. 
5. Use the hottest wash setting that you can for your type of fabric. 
6. Once the clothes come out of the wash, allow the fabric to air-dry.
7. If you notice that there are still remnants of the stain, repeat these steps.

Even if you don’t notice jet fuel stains in your clothing, it’s not a bad idea to at least pretreat the clothing before washing it. Doing so can help ensure that you get any unpleasant smells out of your garments. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Get Airplane Fuel Out of Clothes?

Most of the time, a regular washing cycle with added vinegar and baking soda or even a can of Coke will do. If it doesn’t help straight away, repeat the process. But whichever method you choose, wash these clothes separately from any other!

How Do I Get the Smell of Jet Fuel Off My Skin?

To get the smell of gasoline off your skin, pour distilled white vinegar over the area that smells. Rub the area for between 30 and 45 seconds before washing with soap and water. You should find that the skin no longer smells of jet fuel!

How Do You Neutralize the Smell of Gasoline?

Vinegar is an agent that neutralizes just about any smell. You can add a bit of vinegar to your washing machine to get rid of the smell of gas. You can also use fabric softener in the second wash to imbue your clothes with a pleasant and fresh scent.