How can I remove diesel and its smell from fabric

[Frontier]

Anyone know if I will ever get rid of the diesel smell from the lining around the fuel tank that has leaked into the bay where it sits.

The bay is lagged with thin foam backed carpet type material on 3 sides and fluffy hull lining on the 4 side. I dont want to rip it out as it extend up the hull wall as part of the bunk lining and has port lights set in it.

If I power wash it or scrub it with lots of washing up liquid will that do it, Its also on the wooden frame. Maybe white spirit will clear it from that.

Any tips appreciated. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[ShipsWoofy]

Wait until spring. Open every hatch and orifice on board. Spray air freshener and fabrese everywhere and light scented candles around the boat.

Put a big For Sale sign up and hope some dreamy punter walks by and buys her on the spot.

Otherwise, I think replacement may be your only long term solution, nasty stuff diesel, I doubt you will ever get it back to how it was honestly!

 

[BrendanS]

Try going to local pet shop, needs to be big one to stock this stuff. Then buy the cat urine smell removal spray (can't remember brand name)

You have to spray so it's really wet, if it doesn't get to all the smelly areas, it can't work.

Basically it's a spray containing bacteria and enzymes that break down carbon based smelly things. It might not work, but it's worked wonders for me with various other smelly stuff.

Needs 2-5 days to work, and you have to use loads, not just a light spray, soak the stuff with the spray, so buy multiple spray bottles

Solved lots of smelly problems for me, tho never tried on diesel.

 

[byron]

<span style="color:blue">
Purveyor of bad news. I don't believe anything truly gets rid of it. </span>

 

[Nick_H]

diesel is organic, so there's a chance it'll work. I agree its worth a try. Only other thing I can suggest is bilge cleaner and plenty of elbow grease.

 

[pheran]

Try locating your local rat-catcher (listed in Yellow Pages etc) They are rarely able to retrieve the corpses of rodents they have seen off and instead use a range of powerful deodorants. Your local man may be willing to sell you a can/block.

 

[Frontier]

Thanks for all the posts,

Think I will try all the various options on some rags in the garden shed and see what works best.

 

[LittleShip]

I posted this a couple of weeks ago for information, not cheap due to postage but works very well.

pureayre.com/marine.htm

No interest in the business just a great product, smells of mint!

Tom

 

[Frontier]

Thanks Tom

That stuff looks good.

Derwent

 

[snappy]

I havent tried this on diesel so best test first on an old piece of cloth, but the guy who cleaned my carpets for 400 quid told me that if all else fails try a dilute mix of water and white vinegar. The bad news is that your boat will forever smell of vinegar!

 

[BrendanS]

Almost the same as the solution I suggested, but less sophisticated. The one you suggested contains enzymes and nice smelly stuff. The stuff the pet shops sell contain enzymes and bacteria which will grow on organics, and the bacteria break down the organics. Much more effective than trying to disguise smell, as smell will come back if you don't keep using smelly stuff.

As I said, don't know if it will work on diesel, but very effective on other organics. I've been involved in this area in past, and cat urine stuff does work if used as stated, and soak material, not just surface spray