Bad smell in my workshop!!

[gerrymoore]

There has been an overpowering smell in my workshop that, at first, I put down to my waste oil heater...but as I haven't really used it much with the mild weather, and the smell was getting worse I looked closer...with my nose!!

Turns out I have an old gallon can of of original Jeyes fluid stored in the corner. The can has started to leak and the stuff has soaked into the concrete floor and even part way up the brick walls.

It smells horrible and actually makes you feel ill...how can I get rid? Pressure washer comes to mind but not really a practical proposition indoors!!

 

[zx9]

I expect you will need to use some water though you could try cat litter, the fired clay (usually pink or white) type not the grey clumping one as it turns back to clay when it gets wet.

 

[normspanners]

I spilt some diesel fuel in the wifes car in the 'boot area' and it soaked into the fixed carpet I used brake cleaner on it first, that seemed to reduce the smell by soaking it up, then evaporating the smell, and then fabric conditioner and she didnt comment the next day so from that I take it worked!!
I am not sure if it will 'thin' jeyes maybe worth a try coz, it leaves no mess.

 

[normspanners]

One of the worst smells I have come across is some competition fuel we got from Switzerland it was supplied as control fuel it STUNK and it emanated from the car, sealed 50 ltr drums, you cloths everything it touched and would not go away you couldnt work in there, it physically made you feel sick and seemed to hurt your throat.
so we cleaned everything with brake cleaner and it worked.

 

[gerrymoore]

Thanks guys...we've got cat litter but probably the grey one!! Never used brake cleaner but also worth a try..otherwise it's a gas mask

 

[Shox Dr]

I remember as a kid helping to disinfect the Pig pens with Jeyes. I don't recall it smelling bad.

Had it reacted with something.

 

[gerrymoore]

I would think you probably used it diluted...this is the original Jeyes ( cant buy it now due to EU regs - new stuff is much weaker) and it REALLY smells..I used some on my roof to try and kill the moss...even diluted my neighbours complained about the smell!! I would imagine around a litre of undiluted is now soaked into my floor...believe me it smells, and it gets on your stomach...I can hardly work in there at the moment.

I've found a local place selling pink cat litter...if that doesn't help I'll get some brake cleaner...or move house.

 

[rikrobson]

brake cleaner will not work. jeys fluis is water based. Brake cleaner is solvent.
You will need to wash the area with water. Then drain or soak up the water.

 

[Cobbler]

Have you got a wet/dry vacuum cleaner? As its is water based I would think you want to keep flooding it with water to gradually dilute it, also use some water based detergent such as Surfex & scrub it in. I don't think you will get rid of all the smell, but might get it down to acceptable levels.

 

[normspanners]

I have tried some jeyes fluid and brake cleaner and whilst it didnt mix too well it did clean it off and seemed to get rid of the smell but whether it will when soaked in concrete I'm not sure.

 

[rikrobson]

concrete cleaner (acid) and a jet washer will probably be the best solution it you have somewhere for the water to drain away to.

 

[gerrymoore]

Just bought 10 kgs of the non clumping cat litter...I'll try that for a day or two changing it frequently..I've got some brick acid so that's next step....

Thanks everyone for their input...some good ideas I wouldn't have thought of

 

[rikrobson]

Whatever happesn its gonna be sterile when you finish!!!!

 

[daleyd]

Whatever happesn its gonna be sterile when you finish!!!!

Either that or full of cat cr@p!

 

[gerrymoore]

Well..one small corner might be..the rest of the workshop is definitely not sterile...my wife won't even step foot in it!!

 

[Robotstar5]

Well..one small corner might be..the rest of the workshop is definitely not sterile...my wife won't even step foot in it!!

Sounds good to me

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Google for AutoSmart Bio-Brisk, it might just do the job although it's designed for vehicle interiors - kills smoke smells etc so worth considering.

I'm in a good mood today so here you go

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Autosmart...r-Care-Cleaning-Valet-Biologica-/331102305486

 

[mike os]

Well..one small corner might be..the rest of the workshop is definitely not sterile...my wife won't even step foot in it!!

Can we have a complete set of instructions please

 

[MattF]

Sawdust to soak it up, and then rub some bicarb into the surfaces and then sprinkle some more bicarb on top. Another deodoriser is carbon, so charcoal etc. will absorb smells too.

 

[brightspark]

my wife is-the bad-smell in my garrage and told to get out -shese -not allowed in --and hasnt been -in the last 10 years and just stands at the door now till i tell her to- sling her hook