Spilled kerosine-Cleaning up measures.

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jcb2

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I was taking a kerosene heater and some other things I no longer needed to Goodwill. Although I had a rope around it secured to the floor latch, I forgot to check if it was emptied. It wasn’t and sloshed out so much Keri hat most of the back rug was soaked. I scrubbed it with Dawn and used two bottles of Fabreeze but it still smelled strong. I drove around with windows open for three weeks but it still had the kero smell. So yesterday I just tore into it and removed everything so I could really scrub the rug outside of the SUV. I’m not sure of what to do with the felt below it. It’s dry but has a faint smell. I can’t wash it because it would disintegrate. So I’m just letting it air out in my barn. When the smell is gone and everything is dry, I’ll reassemble. Until then, I’m riding with only the front seats in. It’s kind of cool, actually. If I didn’t need the seating, I think I would just bolt down some plywood and have a pick up truck with a roof over it.577E2B8F-715F-4A96-9EFD-9D01A34F14D7.jpeg

12D0EA85-F75F-439B-8F71-A2D8D52CC8DE.jpeg
 

Jeff Groves

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I'd grab some felt carpet backing from a carpet store and use the old one as a pattern to make a new replacement.
Buy a carpet knife from Lowe's or where ever and a pack of blades. Felt dulls the blades VERY quickly!
If you go that way be VERY careful of the blades. They will cut you faster and deeper then utility blades will.
I have the scars to prove it.

I'd pressure wash the carpet.

If you need to form the felt, or re-form the carpet after pressure washing?
A small steamer works great. Steam the felt and work it then let it dry before you put the carpet in. If you need to do the carpet leave the felt out, steam and shape the carpet, and let it dry a few days before putting the felt in.
 
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asand

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Maybe some of that purple degreaser? Soak it and then use a rug Doctor.
 

Doubeleive

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  • Use paper towels to soak up spilled kerosene oil as soon as possible after the spillage happened.
  • Flush the area with cool water to dilute the kerosene oil and rinse away as much of it as possible.
  • Wash the area thoroughly with warm water and soap or grease-cutting detergent (dishwashing liquid soap often works well for this). Take care if the surface is delicate or water sensitive.
  • Rinse the area again with cool water.
  • Remove remaining odors by wiping the area down with a clean cloth soaked in undiluted white vinegar. Alternatively, a spray bottle filled with undiluted white vinegar can be used to mist the area.
  • Place a few bowls filled with undiluted white vinegar around the area, as this will absorb lingering kerosene oil smells from the air.
 

mountie

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As what Doubeleive says......

When all cleaned as much as possible, get a box of laundry dryer sheets and place them all over the interior. Allow the Sun / heat make the dryer sheets absorb the rest of odors.





Then some cheap cologne spray!!! :ban2:
 

iamdub

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Airing it out won't be sufficient. Kerosene is more oily than gasoline so you have to physically remove the oil from the carpet fibers and jute padding. Scrubbing in de-greasing soaps, pressure washing and vacuuming are the best courses of action. I had a cleaner that, according to the label, contained live organisms that fed on greases and oils. I don't remember the name of it but "Krud Kutter" comes to mind.

For small odor remnants, you can try the vinegar tricks listed above as well as cutting open the side of a bag of charcoal briquettes and leaving it in the cargo area over night. I think you leave the windows up with this method so it only absorbs the odors from the air inside the vehicle.
 
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jcb2

jcb2

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I was taking a kerosene heater and some other things I no longer needed to Goodwill. Although I had a rope around it secured to the floor latch, I forgot to check if it was emptied. It wasn’t and sloshed out so much Keri hat most of the back rug was soaked. I scrubbed it with Dawn and used two bottles of Fabreeze but it still smelled strong. I drove around with windows open for three weeks but it still had the kero smell. So yesterday I just tore into it and removed everything so I could really scrub the rug outside of the SUV. I’m not sure of what to do with the felt below it. It’s dry but has a faint smell. I can’t wash it because it would disintegrate. So I’m just letting it air out in my barn. When the smell is gone and everything is dry, I’ll reassemble. Until then, I’m riding with only the front seats in. It’s kind of cool, actually. If I didn’t need the seating, I think I would just bolt down some plywood and have a pick up truck with a roof over it.View attachment 222162

View attachment 222149

I'd grab some felt carpet backing from a carpet store and use the old one as a pattern to make a new replacement.
Buy a carpet knife from Lowe's or where ever and a pack of blades. Felt dulls the blades VERY quickly!
If you go that way be VERY careful of the blades. They will cut you faster and deeper then utility blades will.
I have the scars to prove it.

I'd pressure wash the carpet.

If you need to form the felt, or re-form the carpet after pressure washing?
A small steamer works great. Steam the felt and work it then let it dry before you put the carpet in. If you need to do the carpet leave the felt out, steam and shape the carpet, and let it dry a few days before putting the felt in.
Thanks
Kerosene.... bag o charcoal..... All's we need is some steaks and a good insurance policy!!

...kidding..... good ideas.....
LOL
 

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