When you’re working with gasoline, there’s a good chance you’ll end up with gas on your hands. Even after your hands are thoroughly cleaned, the smell seems to linger. This is not only unpleasant, but it also poses a safety risk, as the smell reminds you that you’ve been handling dangerous materials. Luckily, getting rid of the gasoline smell isn’t difficult once you have identified the source of the problem. Read on to learn more about how to get rid of gasoline smell on hands and other common places this problem can manifest.
How To Get Rid Of Gasoline Smell On Hands?
1. Use the Right Soap
The first thing you should do when washing your hands after touching gasoline is to use the right soap. Using a regular hand soap when you’ve been handling gasoline can sometimes make the smell worse. That’s because gasoline is slightly acidic, and most soaps have a base of alkaline salts, so they react to the acid and give off an even stronger smell. The best option when you’ve been handling gasoline is to use an acid-free, pH-balanced disinfectant soap. Organic solvents like acetone and alcohol also clean gasoline very well, so if you have some available, they would be a good option as well.
2. Dry Out Your Hands
If you’re at home and have the time, you can follow up the soap with a hand towel or a few paper towels. The best thing you can do is wipe your hands dry as soon as possible after washing them. The more time you give the gasoline to evaporate and linger on your skin, the more likely you are to transfer it to other parts of your body. If you’re at work and don’t have time to fully dry your hands, try to avoid touching other things with your wet hands, especially if they have a porous texture like fabrics. Once you’re finished with your task, try to dry off as best you can and avoid touching anything else until you’ve washed your hands again.
3. Use Baking Soda
Baking soda is a common household item that you can use to scrub your hands clean of gasoline. There are a couple of methods you can use to clean your hands with baking soda. For example, you can rub a little bit of baking soda onto your hands and then rinse it off with water. Alternatively, you can make a scrub for your hands by mixing baking soda with water and applying it to your hands with a scrub brush. Depending on how concentrated the mixture is and how long you leave it on your hands, you may need to rinse it off with water. Once you’ve scrubbed your hands clean, try to dry them as best you can and avoid touching other things with them until they are completely dry.
4. Try a Commercial Deodorant
If you’ve tried all the above methods but still can’t get rid of the smell, you can try a commercial deodorant. It’s not the most pleasant option, but it’s better than smelling like gasoline all day. If you’re desperate, you can try a commercial deodorant like Certain Dri, or you can try to use an antiperspirant deodorant. The latter is more likely to work, but it’s best not to spray it too close to your hands. The deodorant will temporarily mask the smell of gasoline on your hands, but it will not remove it. You can follow up with regular hand soap and water, and then dry your hands with a towel.
5. Scrape Your Hands
If you’re in a bind and need to get rid of the gasoline smell immediately, you can try scraping your hands with a coin. It’s not ideal, but it does work in a pinch. First, put on a pair of rubber gloves to protect your hands from any cuts. Then, use a coin or a knife to scrape off the top layer of your skin. You will feel a slight pain, but it shouldn’t hurt that much. This doesn’t remove the gasoline per se, but it does remove the hydrocarbons on your skin that gives it the gasoline smell, which is why it works. You will have to wash your hands again to get rid of the gasoline, but this method is great if you need to get rid of the smell as soon as possible.
Why Do You Have A Gasoline Smell On Your Hands?
You Just Got Back From The Gym
If you’re a gym freak who loves working out and sweating all the time, you must be aware that all of these things can result in bad smells. Gym workouts produce a lot of bacteria that can cause bad odors, and your hands are no exception. When you’re done with your workout, you’re probably too tired to wash your hands, so the bacteria stays on your hands and causes the smell of gasoline on your hands. A gym is usually a place where lots of people work out, so bacteria can easily spread. So if you don’t want to get the smell of gasoline on your hands, make sure you wash your hands after every single workout session.
You Had A Recent Shaving Session
If you shave your hands, you know that the process can cause a lot of irritation and redness on your skin. If you don’t use a good quality hand cream right after the shaving session, your skin will be super dry, chapped, and irritated, and this can result in the gasoline smell on your hands. The irritation on your skin can cause a chemical reaction that will lead to the smell of gasoline on your hands. If you want to get rid of the smell, use a moisturizing hand cream after shaving to reduce the effects of the gasoline smell.
You’ve Been Working Outdoors
If you’ve been working outdoors and have been touching plants or things that contain the gas, you can end up with the gasoline smell on your hands. People who work as gardeners often get their hands dirty, so they end up with the gasoline smell on their hands. If you have gotten your hands dirty with all kinds of plants and don’t wash them off right away, you might end up having a gasoline smell on your hands. If you want to get rid of the smell, make sure you wash your hands with warm water and soap.
Your Hands Are Chapped Or Dry
If your hands are chapped or super dry, you might end up with the gasoline smell on your hands. If you don’t moisturize your hands or if you are dealing with extremely dry weather, your hands can become really dry, so they will start smelling like gasoline. If you want to get rid of the smell, you need to moisturize your hands and use a lotion that will help get rid of the gasoline smell. If your hands are too dry, you’re more likely to get the smell of gasoline on your hands because the gasoline can be absorbed into your skin.
You’re Constantly Around Gasoline, Like A Mechanic Or Someone Who Drives A Lot
If you’re a mechanic who constantly works with gasoline and oil, you may get the smell of gasoline on your hands. The smell of gasoline on your hands can be caused by being around gasoline all the time. If you’re a mechanic or if you drive a lot, you might get the smell of gasoline on your hands. If you want to get rid of the smell, you should wash your hands more often. Use a hand sanitizer to kill the bacteria on your hands that is causing the smell of gasoline on your hands.
Tips To Avoid Getting Gasoline Smell On Hands
- Wash your hands when coming in contact with gasoline. This is especially important if you’re using gasoline to power tools or machinery.
- Avoid direct contact with gasoline if possible. If you do need to handle gasoline, wear protective gloves.
- If you accidentally get gasoline on your hands, scrub them immediately with soap and water.
- Store gasoline in a safe place, away from children and pets.
- Prevent gasoline smell on hands by using an odor-absorbing glove.
- When working with gas-powered lawnmowers, lawn trimmers, or other equipment, wear a face shield to protect your eyes.
Conclusion
When you’re working with gasoline, there’s a good chance you’ll end up with gas on your hands. Read on to learn more about how to get rid of gasoline smell on hands and other common places this problem can manifest. Keep in mind that even after you’ve successfully gotten rid of the smell, the chemicals may still be on your skin. This means that you’ll need to take extra care when washing your hands and that you’ll likely want to use gloves next time you work with gasoline.
