Wife insist on carrying gasoline in our Enclave in containers with missing caps. Yes, I have told her multiple times that it is beyond stupid. So let's ignore that for now. She spilled "some" gas in the back two weeks ago. Removed carpeted cargo lid and aired it in the driveway for 10 days. lid and car still reek. so how do I lose the smell?
Fabuloso works well to get rid of almost ANY odor. Just pour it on. let it soak a few minutes, and vacuum it up with the vacuum at the local car wash. (Heck, no! Don't you use your own shop vacuum!!! You'll have to buy brand new pre-filter and main filter. The carwash units are industrial design, with a spout internal that goes down.)
Also Try ODOBAN, available at Walmart... Used that back in the 90's at the house of a relative that died and wasn't found for several days. It was summer...Enough said. It got rid of THAT smell. Fabuloso leaves a more likable scent; Odoban just ---,,, destroys? the smell. I never have liked eucalyptus smell though.
One very cold evening, about 18 degrees below zero, my wife and I were driving down a country road when she spotted a little furball on the side of the road. She begged me to stop so she could investigate, so I did. She gets out of the car and tells me it is a little baby skunk that is half frozen to death. Then she asks if she can bring it into the car to warm it up. Reluctantly I agree. Then she asks where she can put it to warm it up. I told her to put it between her legs as it is warm there. Then she says what should I do about the smell. I told her just hold his little nose. And thats how the fight started.
Cut a lemon in half. Scrape out the meat of the lemon so the shell remains. Fill it up with salt and place it in your car over night. Maybe 2, but not 3. Just use another lemon. The funk gets trapped in the salt of the lemon ,if you dont take the lemon out in 24-48 hour your just wasting your time. Old trick I learned along my way. And it works.
You gotta get your wife to listen man, she's gonna get hurt. Gas fumes alone. Car crash with an accelerant.
I would try the baking soda first. It is much cheaper than ODOBAN. Also was mentioned. Dish detergent. You can always use baking soda with the detergent.
Leaving the hatch/doors open will help air it out as well. Hopefully you can do that in a garage so you don't wind up with a family of wild animals, or a litter of cats moving in.
I left the hatchback and windows open on and off for 2 weeks. Not roasting hot in South Fla right now, but plenty warm. Removed the cargo bin lid and left it outside in the partial sun for two weeks. Lid still reeks. Car still reeks. Said the heck with it and put the lid back in.
I meant after cleaning. It will help it dry and air it out some. She must have spilled a lot of gas. I hope she learned a lesson and quits that fuelish habit.
Son did same thing back when. Tried everything suggested here plus pressure washing carpet/jute...was still there when van traded in...
