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How can I get a diesel smell out of my car's carpet?
I had to get diesel fuel for my friend's truck when they ran out of gas. Some of it must have leaked onto my carpet, because now my whole car smells like a gas station! How can I get rid of the smell?
Emily Maracle · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“That’s a frustrating issue to deal with—especially after doing something kind for your friend! Diesel does leave a strong odor and can be difficult to remove from car carpets, but there are a few methods that may reduce the smell. Here are a few options:
- Use mothballs. These can help take care of unwanted smells, as long as you don’t have pets or kids with unsupervised access to your car!
- Wash the carpet with Listerine. The alcohol in it can help neutralize the diesel smell. After letting the Listerine set, you’ll need to wash the carpet, so be sure to have a carpet cleaner or soap and water handy.
- Try a homemade solution of hot water, ammonia, baking soda, and vinegar. Soaking the car carpet in the solution and then rinsing it out should get rid of the smell. If you choose to try this option, be sure you do so in a well-ventilated area. You should wear gloves and thoroughly rinse the carpet after as well.
While you’re ordering mothballs or waiting for the cleaner to set, you might want to make sure your car has all the coverage it needs (just in case something worse than a diesel spill ever happens). One great way to compare different policies is to use the
Jerry app
—we’ll get you personalized quotes from top-of-the-line providers so that all you have to do is tap the plan you want to switch to.Best of luck with cleaning the carpet, and I hope everything comes up (smelling like) roses!”
View full answer
- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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