How To Clean A Petrol Spill In Car

CONTENTS

• Understanding the impact of a petrol spill inside a car
• Evaluating the need for professional assistance
• The potential danger of petrol fumes
• Emergency measures to take following a petrol spill
• Frequently asked questions
• Get in touch

When petrol spills onto your car seats, it could be a potential hazard. While you might brush off the incident as a simple accident, spilt petrol in your car can pose significant risks to your health and your vehicle.

At ICE Cleaning, our oil spill cleaning services include removal and decontamination of all surfaces affected by gasoline, diesel, and hydraulic oil. We can effectively remove stains and odours in your vehicle caused by petrol and be on-site the same day in an emergency.

Read on for practical prevention tips and how to act when petrol spills in your vehicle.

Understanding the impact of a petrol spill inside a car

A petrol spill in your car can be overwhelming due to its pungent smell and potential staining. Your immediate concern should be fire when petrol or diesel spills inside your car.

Oil, being highly flammable, poses serious fire risks, and something as simple as smoking a cigarette could lead to injury or death.

Long-term exposure might harm both your health and your vehicle's interior. Petrol contains harmful chemicals like benzene which, when inhaled, can lead to headaches or dizziness. Prolonged exposure could even increase your risk of cancer.

Beyond these risks lies potential damage to your car’s interior - petrol eats away at many materials, causing irreversible harm. Plastics or rubber components might degrade faster as they do not interact well with petroleum products.

If you spill petrol in your car, act fast. Remove any sources of ignition and ventilate the area by opening windows and doors. Absorb as much spilt fuel as possible using cat litter or absorbent pads, but it is best to seek professional help cleaning up large spills.

Evaluating the need for professional assistance

If the spill is small and you decide to clean it yourself, you could spread the petrol further or miss spots that keep giving off fumes. For spills of all sizes, getting professional cleaning services is safer and more effective.

A professional cleaning team will use specialist equipment to remove all traces of petrol, protecting your health and vehicle integrity. They will also advise on how to avoid future incidents.

The potential danger of petrol fumes

Beyond its strong scent, petrol fumes can present immediate and long-term health risks. Inhaling petrol fumes for a short time causes disorientation or sickness. Breathing in high concentrations can even lead to a loss of consciousness.

Long-term effects are more alarming. Regular inhalation might lead to serious conditions like kidney damage or cancer. Any spills must be cleaned swiftly and safely to ensure your health and safety.

Emergency measures to take following a petrol spill

If you have accidentally spilt petrol in your car, start by getting everyone out of the vehicle and away from the spill. If you are at a petrol station, you must go inside and ask for assistance, as most garages will have spill kits on-site for gasoline and diesel spills.

If you are not at a petrol station, you must contact your closest one for assistance or isolate the car until you can have the spill cleaned professionally. Avoid any sources of ignition near the area. This includes mobile phones, lighters and even static electricity as petrol fumes are highly flammable. 

Once secure, you must air out the vehicle by opening all doors and windows. You will need professional help for deep cleaning, especially if upholstery is affected, because expert cleaners have specialist equipment designed for such jobs.

Frequently asked questions

How do you get the smell of petrol out of your car?

To eliminate the smell, it is important to ventilate the car well and clean all surfaces. You must then seek professional cleaning services.

Can I drive my car if it smells of petrol?

If you notice a smell of petrol in your car, it is important to stop driving immediately. This could indicate a dangerous petrol leak that requires immediate attention.

How long does it take for the gasoline smell to go away in a car?

The smell of gasoline should dissipate within a few hours after proper ventilation. If the smell lingers, it is advisable to seek professional help as it could indicate an ongoing petrol leak or require specialist cleaning.

Get in touch

If you have spilt petrol in your car, you can rely on ICE Cleaning to step in. Our expert technicians offer oil spill clean-up services across the UK and same-day emergency cleaning. We can tackle spills that occur both indoors and outdoors, caused by gasoline, diesel, and hydraulic oil.

If you require emergency cleaning today, contact our team at 0208 066 0360 or enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk and we will respond as soon as possible. We operate nationwide, 24/7, 365 days a year, so we will respond regardless of time or day, including bank holidays.