Gasoline evaporates in no time at all, but what about kerosene? Learn everything you want to know about the versatile fuel oil in this expert guide.
Like any other chemical that you have laying around, proper storage is essential so that kerosene doesn’t go bad or evaporate away.
Evaporation can also be a good thing that helps you if you happen to spill it. Spill some gas? No problem, after a few minutes in the sun, it’s all gone. But what happens with kerosene?
Will it evaporate away if you spill some or leave your container out in the sun?
Kerosene does evaporate, but it takes an incredibly long time for it to do so. Kerosene can take days or even weeks to fully evaporate.
Kerosene is a liquid that is used as fuel for lamps and heaters, and is also commonly used in jet engines.
In this article, we will answer that question and provide you with some tips on how to clean it up if it does spill. We’ll also discuss how long kerosene lasts when it’s stored outside.
As part of our journey to be your number one resource on the web for all things kerosene, answering the question of whether or not it evaporates is an important one.
This can affect the way that you store it and the way that you clean it up (or let it evaporate away).
Does Kerosene Evaporate Fully?
If you’re used to using gasoline as the only type of fuel that you deal with, then you’re also probably used to how fast it evaporates when exposed to the atmosphere. If you’re not, just pay attention next time you’re filling up at the gas station.
If any of it drips out when you’re putting the handle back on the pump, you’ll be able to see it evaporate within minutes, if not sooner.
Does that mean all other types of fuels act in the same way?
The answer to that is no, kerosene does not just evaporate away very quickly. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Kerosene is actually much slower to evaporate than gasoline and other types of fuels.
Unlike gasoline, even minute amounts of kerosene can linger in the ground for days, weeks, or even longer. This is why it’s important to take extra care when handling and storing kerosene.
So, if you spill some on the ground or even get some on yourself, you’re going to have to take some special steps to clean it up.
How Do You Properly Clean Up a Kerosene Spill?
The first thing you need to do is to stop the kerosene from spreading any further. If it’s on the ground, you can do this by covering it with sand, dirt, or anything else that will absorb the liquid.
This is helpful to contain the kerosene and prevent it from harming the environment. Once you’ve stopped the spill from spreading, you’ll need to start cleaning it up.
The best way to clean up a kerosene spill is with soap and water. This might seem counterintuitive, but it’s actually the most effective way to break down the kerosene molecules and remove them from whatever surface they’re on.
You’ll need to use a lot of soap and scrub hard to make sure you get all of the kerosene off. Once you’ve done that, you can rinse the area with clean water to remove any remaining soap residue.
If you’re dealing with a large spill, you might need to use a commercial kerosene cleaner. These cleaners are designed to quickly and effectively break down kerosene molecules.
However, they can be expensive and they’re not always necessary. In most cases, soap and water will be enough to clean up a small spill.
If you get kerosene on your clothes, you’ll need to wash them as soon as possible. Kerosene can damage fabric, so it’s important to remove it before it has a chance to set in.
The best way to do this is to soak your clothes in a mixture of soap and water for at least 30 minutes. After that, you can wash them like normal.
If you have kerosene on your skin, you’ll need to wash it off as quickly as you can. Kerosene can be irritating to the skin, so it’s important to remove it as soon as possible.
If you spill kerosene inside your home, make sure you contain it as quickly as possible and start opening windows and doors to allow for as much ventilation as possible.
Kerosene fumes can be dangerous, so it’s important to get rid of them as quickly as you can. Once the area is well ventilated, you can start cleaning up the spill.
How Long Does Kerosene Last If Stored Outside?
Now that you know that kerosene doesn’t just quickly evaporate away, you might be wondering about how long you can store it for. If it doesn’t evaporate, it must just last forever, right?
Kerosene will eventually degrade and break down over time. The exact amount of time it takes for this to happen will depend on a number of factors, including exposure to sunlight, air, and water.
In general, you can expect kerosene to last for around 2 to 5 years when stored properly.
Of course then, the best way to make sure your kerosene lasts as long as possible is to store it in a cool, dark place. This will help to keep it from degrading as quickly.
If you need to store kerosene for an extended period of time, you can add a fuel stabilizer to help extend its shelf life.
Summing Up If Kerosene Evaporates
Kerosene eventually does evaporate, but it will take a much longer time to do so than gasoline does.
If you end up spilling kerosene, it’s important to take the right steps in order to clean it up effectively and safely. Please be careful, as kerosene fumes can be harmful to the body.
