How to Seal a Gasoline Odor on a Wood Subfloor

Some wood subfloors have a porous surface, so spills from liquids like gasoline quickly absorb into the material and cause odor -- which remains even after cleanup. The strength of the odor left behind depends on how long the gasoline was present and how much liquid actually soaked into the floor. There are several ways to remove the odor and seal the floor, so the room is free from the smell.

Baking soda
White vinegar
Broom and dust pan
Vacuum
Sandpaper
Palm sander or belt sander
Polyurethane

Instructions

- 1
  Sprinkle an entire box of baking soda over the area on the subfloor where the odor remains. Leave the baking soda in place for two or three days, to absorb any remaining gasoline that your cleanup left behind, as well as the lingering fumes. Even if the subfloor feels dry to the touch after your cleanup, the baking soda will cling to any remaining moisture.
- 2
  Sweep the baking soda off the floor, and then vacuum the area thoroughly.
- 3
  Spray the area with a solution of one part white vinegar to one part water, and let it dry for two to three days. If the odor is still present, spray the area again and let dry. It may take two or three treatments to get rid of all the odor. Let the floor dry thoroughly.
- 4
  Sand the subfloor with large-grit sandpaper, roughing up the entire surface and paying particular attention to the area of the gasoline spill. Sand the entire surface again with a medium-grit sandpaper, then do a final sanding with a fine-grit sandpaper. With each sanding pass, make sure you are getting the floor down past any stain left by the gasoline spill.
- 5
  Seal the subfloor with one or two coats of polyurethane. Let the floor dry completely between coats, and then rough up the surface with a little medium-grit sandpaper before applying the next coat.

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