Many people use oil-based heaters in the winter. To use an oil heater, you must first fill it with kerosene.
Many of you may have had the experience of spilling kerosene on your front door or in your car. In this issue, we will introduce how to deal with such accidental spills of kerosene.
What to do when spills occur on tiles, such as at the front door
First, spread newspaper or other material to absorb it. Use newspaper or rags to absorb as much as you can, and then sprinkle flour to absorb the remainder.
After absorbing as much as possible, sweep up with a spatula or broom, and finally sprinkle detergent on the area. This is because the surfactants in detergent are effective in breaking down kerosene. Finally, ventilate the area, as a small amount of kerosene is dispersed in the air.
How to dispose of newspaper that has absorbed kerosene
Wrap kerosene-soaked newspapers and rags in wet newspaper and place them in a plastic bag on your burnable trash day. The reason for moistening them is to reduce the risk of spontaneous combustion.
How to eliminate the smell of spilled kerosene
Tea stains and coffee grounds have deodorizing properties and can help with the smell of kerosene. If a spill occurs on the front porch, scattering green tea stains or coffee grounds and then using a dustpan to clean up the spill will reduce the odor.
What to do when kerosene is spilled on the carpet
Since kerosene is oil, it is appropriate to cover the top with a piece of highly oil-absorbent kitchen paper and tap it to absorb the oil. Be careful not to rub the carpet. Rubbing may cause the color of the carpet to fade.
Place a scrap of cloth or kitchen paper over the area where kerosene has been spilled, and gently tap it to absorb the oil. Kerosene is highly volatile, and by keeping the area well-ventilated, the smell will almost completely disappear.
What to do when kerosene is spilled on flooring
Be careful when dealing with kerosene spilled on the flooring. This is because the wax may come off. After absorbing the kerosene with newspaper or kitchen paper, wipe it off with a mild detergent.
How to use baking soda
Since baking soda is alkaline, it reacts with acidic oil stains, neutralizing them and turning them into water-soluble components. Of course, “kerosene” in this case is also acidic, so it can be removed with baking soda.
*If the flooring is solid wood, baking soda cannot be used! It may cause discoloration, so be very careful.
What to do when kerosene is spilled on a car
First, absorb as much as you can immediately with newspaper or cloth (towels, etc.). After that, we recommend removing and washing mats and other items if possible.
Kerosene is soluble in alcohol, so a sanitizer containing alcohol is effective. Finally, be sure to dry and ventilate thoroughly.
Is it dangerous to leave spilled kerosene unattended?
Even if spilled kerosene is left unattended, spontaneous combustion at room temperature is unlikely. Kerosene has a lower vaporization rate and a higher boiling point than gasoline, so there are not many accidents such as explosions or ignition.
However, if left unattended, it will turn into a stain, so we recommend wiping it off or otherwise treating it immediately.
To get rid of the smell on your hands after wiping up spilled kerosene
1) Drizzle a small amount of edible salad oil into the palm of your hand.
(2) Smooth the oil over the entire surface of your hands and fingers.
(3) Wash hands with soap and rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water
(4) Wash hands again with soap and rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
If the smell of spilled kerosene remains on the hands after wiping it off, this procedure can be used to remove the smell. Apply salad oil to the hands to make the kerosene float, and then rinse the floating area with soap all at once. If you have trouble with the smell, try this!
