
Source: Missouri Household Hazardous Waste Telephone Advice
Manual, April 1994, Household Hazardous Waste Project
Gasoline is one of the most dangerous substances found around the home.
It is highly flammable and extremely toxic. Never
pour gasoline down the drain, on the ground, or in the trash.
Improper disposal of gasoline is a health and safety hazard, and threatens
the environment.
As gasoline ages, it tends to lose some of its desired ignition properties.
Old gasoline used at full strength may account for sluggish behavior or
temporary failure of an engine. Gasoline stored for long periods may become
contaminated with dust particles, dirt, or water. It may also undergo a
minor chemical change becoming "gummed up" or forming "varnish." Old or
contaminated gasoline can be reconditioned for use by following
these procedures.
A word of caution:
This management option may cause harm to human health and the environment
if the described procedures are not followed carefully.
Materials Needed
- protective gloves, such as nitrile or chemical-resistant gloves
- chemical splash goggles
- thin cloth or coffee filter
- safety-approved gasoline container
Safety Precautions
- Gasoline is highly flammable and toxic. Use extreme caution when
handling.
- Recondition gasoline in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhalation
of vapors. If you can smell it, you are breathing in gasoline vapors
and should increase ventilation.
- Recondition gasoline in an area away from sources of heat, spark,
flame, or ignition. The area should also be inaccessible to children
and animals.
- Do not smoke or drink alcoholic beverages while working with gasoline.
Procedures to Recondition Old Gasoline
- Filter gasoline into a safety-approved container through two layers of
thin cloth or a coffee filter to remove any solids or semi-solids. The cloth
or paper can be dried outside, away from the house and sources of heat,
spark, flame, or ignition. It can then be disposed of with the trash destined
for the landfill.
- Use the filtered gasoline by mixing with new gasoline at a 1:5 ratio
(1 part reconditioned gasoline to 5 parts new gasoline).
- An octane booster may also be added to further restore volatility.
Octane booster can be purchased at a gasoline station or auto supply store.
Procedures to Recondition Gasoline Contaminated
with Water
- Water will sink to the bottom of the container. Use a mechanical syphon
or pour as much gasoline as possible off the top, leaving mostly water
in the bottom of the container. The remaining water may be allowed to
evaporate outside, away from the house and sources of heat, spark,
flame, or ignition. This option should only be recommended if local air
pollution officials approve.
- Gasohol (10% ethyl alcohol) or isopropanol (a fuel dryer) may be mixed
in with the gasoline to break up small amounts of water. This prevents
large quantities of water from entering the engine at once. Follow
directions for mixing on the product label.
- Use the gasoline by mixing it with new gasoline at a 1:5 ratio (1 part
reconditioned gasoline to 5 parts new gasoline).