How to Get Diesel Fuel Off Skin

Petroleum Station Owner Duties
Written By
Cindy Paterson
Cindy Paterson
Published: Jan 1, 2011
Updated: Jan 10, 2019
2 minute read

Diesel oil is a thick mineral oil that is the primary fuel used to power diesel engines in various vehicles and machines. Whether you are just changing the parts in a diesel engine or you have to perform extensive labor on them, if you are going to be in contact with the fuel, you won't want it on you for too long. There is an easy way to get diesel fuel off your skin and performing it quickly is the best way to ensure it doesn't stain or harm your skin.

Fill one squirt bottle with plain household vinegar and the other with distilled water leaving both bottles opened. Set both bottles next to the area where you are working with the diesel fuel.

Put on gloves before starting to work with the diesel fuel to prevent the maximum amount of exposure as possible. Even with gloves, the fuel could soak through and into your skin if left for too long.

Remove the gloves carefully if any fuel gets on your skin and avoid splashing the diesel from the gloves anywhere else. Squeeze the vinegar filled bottle over the skin where the diesel fuel made contact until the fuel is washed away.

Pour water over the vinegar washed area to remove all of the vinegar and any fine traces of fuel that may have stuck to the skin. You can then use a garden hose to wash off the skin more thoroughly.

Dry the skin with a clean towel and refill the bottles if the fluid levels inside were diminished greatly. Keep the bottles nearby the entire time you are handling the fuel.

Things You'll Need:

Things You Will Need

  • 2 squirt bottles
  • Household vinegar
  • Distilled water
  • Garden hose
  • Clean towel
  • Warnings:

    • Do not allow children or pets near your work area when handling diesel fuel.

    Tips

    Label the bottles "Vinegar" and "Water" and save them specifically for this purpose if you handle diesel fuel regularly.

    Warnings

    Do not allow children or pets near your work area when handling diesel fuel.

    Cindy Paterson

    Based in Santa Rosa, Calif., Cindy Paterson has been writing articles on travel and lifestyle since 1991. Her work has appeared on ForbesTraveler.com and MSNBC.com. Paterson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in creative writing from Columbia…

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