How To Clean A Petrol Spill

• What are the effects of a petrol spill?
• What not to do when a petrol spill occurs
• Why only professionals should clean up a petrol spill
• What to do when a petrol spill occurs
• Contact us today

Dealing with a petrol spill can be tricky and hazardous. As a highly flammable and toxic chemical, it demands immediate attention and specific cleaning methods. It must be cleaned up by trained specialists to make the affected area safe. 

Here at ICE Cleaning, we offer emergency response oil spill clean up services. Our fully trained technicians are permitted to handle and dispose of many different types of oil including petrol and diesel, and can clean spills on surfaces, on soil, or in water. They are available nationwide, 24/7, 365 days a year. 

Keep reading to find out what you should and should not do following a spill, and why leaving it to professionals is the best course of action.

What are the effects of a petrol spill?

Firstly, petrol spills are very dangerous. It is a flammable substance, and a single spark could lead to an explosion or a fire. It can also make surfaces slippery, putting people at risk of slipping and falling, and getting injured. 

Petrol fumes when inhaled can cause health problems, too. In the short-term, you may experience dizziness or headaches, but it could lead to a loss of muscle control, and heart and lung problems. Should you touch it, you might end up suffering from dermatitis. 

If the spill spreads onto soil or into a water source, it can result in pollution, harming wildlife and local ecosystems. It may even leave behind unsightly stains that can affect the aesthetic of your home. 

What not to do when a petrol spill occurs

Using ignition sources: it may seem obvious, but never bring any source of ignition near a petrol spill. This includes matches and cigarettes, as well as any electrical equipment that could spark. 

Not ventilating the area: failing to ventilate the area where the spill occurred is another common error. This allows dangerous fumes from the fuel to accumulate, creating an explosive atmosphere. 

Attempting to clean the petrol up yourself: although there are lots of solutions recommended online from covering the stain with cat litter or scrubbing it with baking soda, oil spill cleaning is hazardous and complex. It is always best to leave it to professionals who can ensure safety while minimising the environmental impact.

Why only professionals should clean up a petrol spill

To begin with, petrol spills are particularly challenging to clean up. They can quickly spread and seep into surfaces, and all of it must be removed as any left behind can still be a hazard. 

Moreover, it is crucial to handle the cleaning and disposal of petrol correctly. Pouring it down the sink, for example, can contaminate surface and ground water supplies, and even drinking water. Rinsing the spill with water can encourage it to spread onto soil or into water sources, too. 

Due to the dangers of petrol exposure, personal protective equipment (PPE) is required to ensure you don't inhale the fumes or touch the petrol. When cleaning the petrol spill, you will be in very close contact with the fuel and put your health at much greater risk.  

Professional cleaners, like ICE Cleaning's technicians, will have the training, specialist equipment, and PPE to quickly clean up the petrol spill from the affected area. They can give you peace of mind that the property is safe again.

What to do when a petrol spill occurs

If the spill occurs while you are refuelling at a petrol station, tell the staff that there has been a spill. They will be trained in how to clean it up and will then advise you on what to do next. If no employees are in attendance, contact the police instead. 

If petrol has spilled at home in your garage or on your driveway, you must bring in professional cleaners to tend to the spill immediately. 

Should it occur in the workplace and you or other employees are trained to clean it up, they should use a spill kit to clean it up. You must also notify anyone nearby that could be affected the spill and carry out your emergency spill response. You can find out more about how to deal with an oil spill in the workplace in this blog. 

Contact us today

Our technicians have access to the latest state-of-the-art technology and can quickly restore your site back to its previous condition. In an emergency, they can be on site within several hours. 

To learn more about our oil spill cleaning services, contact our team on 0208 066 0360 or send them an email at enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk.