How do you clean spilled gas

For larger spills, use more litter so you can soak up as much of the gas as possible. Depending on where you live, there may be a hazardous waste collection facility, or they may have you take it to the fire department.

Spills on fabric can be trickier because fabric is more easily damaged. You can still use the cat litter trick to absorb surface gas, but there might still be gasoline trapped between the fabric and the surface beneath, such as the metal interior of your trunk.

Gas has a strong odor, and gas fumes are flammable. Be sure to open your windows and doors, and move the surface with the spill into the open air if you can to help get rid of the smell. Porous surfaces, especially fabrics and wood, will tend to retain the smell of gas longer. Try pouring some white vinegar on a cloth and dabbing the area of the spill to get rid of the smell more quickly. Accidents happen, but you can make gas spills easier to manage with some basic prevention.

Place protective tarps underneath your engine and any gas containers being transported in your vehicle. If a spill does occur, this should make it less likely to cause damage and easier to clean. Photos courtesy Flickr.

Nicole Wakelin covers the automotive industry as a freelance journalist for a variety of outlets. Her work includes news pieces, podcasts, radio, written reviews, and video reviews. Disclosure: BobVila. You agree that BobVila. All rights reserved. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY.

Banish the odor with one or more of these fast-acting fixes! More From Bob Vila. Your immediate response should be the same as with any petroleum spill: containment. Plastic bags, garbage can lids, a shovel -- even a nearby water hose can make a make a good improvised dam while you or an assistant run inside to raid the pet pantry.

You'll need clay-based "clumping" cat litter, preferably the kind with baking soda if you want the smell to go away quickly. Add more as need be, and use a flat-nosed shovel or rake to mix it in. You can use a broom if need be, but you run the risk of soaking it with gasoline and making it a fire hazard later.

Throw a bit of sand down over the spill area afterward to soak up any residual gas. When the kitty litter has absorbed the gasoline, shovel it into a heavy-duty plastic garbage bag, and then double-bag it. You can take it to your local fire department for disposal, or you can dispose of it at a recycling facility equipped to dispose of hazardous waste. Don't simply throw it in a dumpster, either; treat the bag with the hazardous waste as directed by the attendant so it can be properly treated through incineration or thermal treatment.