How do you get the smell of gasoline out of shoes?

Having the smell of gasoline on your shoes can be unpleasant and difficult to remove. Fortunately, there are some simple methods you can use to get rid of that pungent gasoline odor from your footwear.

Why Do Shoes Absorb Gasoline Smells?

Gasoline is made up of many chemical compounds that have strong odors. When gasoline gets on materials like leather, rubber, or fabric, these compounds get absorbed into the materials and can be difficult to fully remove. The smell lingers because molecules from the gasoline remain stuck in fibers and pores of the materials even after the excess gasoline has been wiped off.

Quick Tips for Removing Gas Smell from Shoes

Here are some quick tips for getting gasoline smell out of shoes:

• Air them out – Let shoes dry fully in a well-ventilated area. This allows gasoline compounds to dissipate over time.
• Use baking soda – Sprinkle baking soda in shoes to absorb odors. Let sit overnight then shake out.
• Stuff with newspaper – Stuffing shoes with newspaper pages can help absorb lingering smells.
• Clean with vinegar – Wipe the inside and outside of shoes with a vinegar-soaked cloth to help neutralize odors.
• Use activated charcoal – Place charcoal bags inside shoes overnight to absorb gasoline smells.

Choosing the Best Method for Your Shoes

The most effective odor removal method depends on the material and construction of your shoes. Here are some tips for choosing the best gasoline smell removal method based on shoe type:

For leather shoes:

• Wipe with vinegar – Use a cloth dipped in undiluted white vinegar to gently wipe the outside and inside of leather shoes.
• Stuff with newspaper – The absorption powers of newspaper make it effective for leather shoe odors.
• Air dry completely – Allow leather shoes to fully dry in a ventilated space before wearing again.

For canvas shoes:

• Baking soda scrub – Make a paste of baking soda and water and scrub onto canvas shoes to help absorb odors trapped in fibers.
• Vinegar soak – Mix 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water and soak canvas shoes in the solution for 30 minutes.
• Activated charcoal – Charcoal is safe for most canvas materials and pulls odors from shoes overnight.

For rubber boots and shoes:

• Vinegar wipe down – Wipe rubber footwear inside and out with undiluted white vinegar.
• Baking soda scrub – Make a baking soda paste with just a little water and use a small brush to scrub it onto rubber soles.
• Lemon juice – Wipe down rubber shoes with lemon juice and let them dry in the sun.

Step-by-Step Methods for Removing Gasoline Smell

For the most thorough odor removal, follow these detailed steps:

Baking Soda Method

1. Remove shoelaces and removable inserts from shoes if possible.
2. Liberally sprinkle baking soda across the inside bottom and sides of shoes. Fill shoes completely.
3. Let the baking soda sit in shoes for 12-24 hours to fully absorb odors.
4. Turn shoes upside down and tap out as much baking soda as possible.
5. Use a vacuum hose to vacuum out remaining baking soda.
6. Replace shoelaces and inserts. The shoes are ready to wear.

Vinegar Wipe Down

1. Remove laces and removable inserts.
2. Dip a clean cloth into undiluted white vinegar. Newer shoes may require a more diluted vinegar solution to avoid damage to materials.
3. Wipe the vinegar solution over the entire inside and outside surface of the shoes.
4. Use a second clean dry cloth to wipe shoes down and remove any vinegar residue.
5. Stuff shoes with newspaper and allow to fully dry for 24 hours.
6. Once dry, shake out newspaper and replace laces and inserts before wearing again.

Activated Charcoal Treatment

1. Remove laces and removable inserts.
2. Place 1-2 activated charcoal bags or pouches inside each shoe.
3. Tie or seal the bags closed then place shoes in a sealed plastic bag overnight.
4. After 12-24 hours remove charcoal bags and tap out any charcoal dust from shoes.
5. Allow shoes to air out for several hours before wearing again.

Tips for Preventing Gasoline Smells on Shoes

Once you’ve succeeded in getting that bothersome gasoline smell out of your shoes, here are some tips to help prevent this problem in the future:

• Wear rubber boots or older shoes when pumping gas or working with gasoline/oil.
• Keep shoes in a sealed bag while transporting gas cans or containers.
• Wipe shoes on grass or concrete after fuel spills to remove excess gasoline before it’s absorbed.
• Apply a protecting spray (like Scotchguard) to shoes to create a gasoline-resistant barrier.
• Keep a small bottle of vinegar or lemon juice in the car to wipe shoes after fuel spills.

When to Discard Shoes Due to Gasoline Smell

Sometimes gasoline odors can remain persistent in shoes even after thorough cleaning. If the smell remains strong and unpleasant after 2-3 odor removal treatments, consider discarding heavily contaminated shoes.

Look for the following signs it may be time to toss gasoline-soaked shoes:

• The insoles are stained or discolored from prolonged fuel exposure.
• The shoes have visible warped or melted spots on leather or rubber.
• A strong fuel smell lingers even after airing out shoes for over a week.
• You experience headaches or feel ill when wearing the contaminated shoes.

Heavily gasoline-soaked shoes cannot only retain unpleasant odors but also pose potential health hazards to the wearer. In most cases, it is not worth the time and effort to salvage shoes beyond repair.

Other Odor Removal Methods to Try

If the above methods are ineffective at fully removing gasoline smell from shoes, here are a few other odor removal techniques you can experiment with:

• Cat litter – Place shoes in a plastic bag with a cup of unused clay cat litter for 24 hours so the litter can absorb smells.
• White vinegar soak – For fabric shoes, soak in a mixture of 1 part vinegar, 2 parts water for 30 minutes.
• Oxygen cleaner – Use an oxygen bleach cleaner and hot water to wash shoes by hand or machine.
• Borax paste – Make a thick paste with borax powder and water and scrub onto shoes. Let sit 1 hour before rinsing.
• Freeze shoes – Place shoes in a sealed plastic bag and freeze for 1-2 days to help neutralize odors.

When to Seek Professional Shoe Cleaning

For expensive leather shoes or stubborn gasoline smells, consider taking them to a professional shoe cleaner. They have commercial grade products and tools to deep clean and deodorize shoes.

Signs it may be worth getting professional shoe cleaning services:

• The shoes are high-end leather dress shoes or boots.
• You’ve tried several DIY methods with no success.
• The shoe lining and inner soles are also saturated with odor.
• The fumes make your eyes water and irritate your nose.

A thorough professional cleaning can cost $20-$50 but may be worth it to rescue a high value pair of shoes and avoid having to replace them.

Conclusion

Gasoline spills can really do a number on shoes, leaving them smelling unpleasant even after the spill is cleaned up. Fortunately, there are many DIY methods you can use at home to get rid of that bothersome gasoline odor for good. Using ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, charcoal, and newspaper can help absorb and neutralize lingering gas smells in shoes. With some time and effort, you can get rid of even strong gasoline odors to restore your shoes and avoid having to throw them away. And by taking steps to protect your shoes from fuel spills in the first place, you can prevent this smelly dilemma from repeating itself!