Tip to remove propane smell off hands

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Tip to remove propane smell off hands

March 02, 2019, 03:48:13 am

I replaced the propane regulator and one of the hoses recently. Afterwards my hands had a strong smell of propane. I washed them several times but that didn’t help. So I went to the Internet looking for an answer. WikiHow has a whole list of unusual things to do to get smells off your hands.
I tried toothpaste, spreading it thickly on my hands like cold cream and let it sit for several minutes before rinsing it off. Voila, that did the trick.

I just want to pass that along in case anyone else could use the info.

Hmmm - The outside bin that holds the propane tank has some smell maybe I should scrub it with toothpaste

Or maybe just spray it with mouthwash - one of the other suggestions in wiki how.

Jane

Re: Tip to remove propane smell off hands

Reply #1 – March 02, 2019, 06:39:12 am

Having just replaced our regulator, I had no smell on my hands. Concerned about the smell you say you have in the bin. I would have this checked out.

Re: Tip to remove propane smell off hands

Reply #2 – March 02, 2019, 09:33:28 am

Propane can leave an oily residue and that is what you were smelling. Any degreaser type cleaner should work.

Re: Tip to remove propane smell off hands

Reply #3 – March 02, 2019, 10:30:32 am

Quote from: JandS2 - March 02, 2019, 03:48:13 am

Hmmm - The outside bin that holds the propane tank has some smell maybe I should scrub it with toothpaste
Or maybe just spray it with mouthwash - one of the other suggestions in wiki how.

Propane itself has no smell, but the odorizer does, and when the supply tank gets low, the concentration of that additive, methyl mercaptan, is higher in a low tank, and the result is a stronger smell when you get filled from such a source. Likely on your next fill, the smell will be gone. It will also dissipate eventually.

Steve

Re: Tip to remove propane smell off hands

Reply #4 – March 02, 2019, 11:21:39 am

Quote

Don, that is why I replaced the regulator and while I was at it also the hose that was not replaced last year. When I opened the bin there was a small whiff of propane. I could never get a leak to appear using leak detection fluid. However one night I got a stronger smell after using a lot of propane inside (lots of hot water for lengthy cleaning). My guess is the leak was in the regulator where the leak detection.fluid didn't get to and came out of the regulator vent. I figured replace it all to be safe.

The regulator and hose I removed smelled very strongly of propane not from a few feet away but if I directly smelled it. Propane is not turned on currently - I tested it then turned it back off to do some work on the heater. The smell in the bin is much less than before - barely noticeable even when trying to find it. After the heater is finished I am going to use a lot of propane for a short period of time to confirm the smell doesn't get stronger. My guess at this point is the bin still smells for the same reason the regulator and hose did.

A side note, DH did not smell that whiff of propane that was light when the bin was opened, the one that first got me concerned. Likely my nose is more sensitive, I avoid going down the detergent isles in stores because of the strong smells and I can't be in a paint store where they are opening up cans especially shellac - I like VOC paint.

Degreasing cleaners and propane smells- I would not have thought toothpaste had a degreaser in it. Our dish soap that I used to wash my hands does fine with any grease on our dishes but it is more natural so not like using dawn detergent h- it was what I used to wash my hands several times.

Jane

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Re: Tip to remove propane smell off hands

Reply #5 – March 02, 2019, 11:32:31 am

Steve nice to know. I will keep that in mind though we got that whiff of propane smell even with a full tank.
Yes I figure that smell ingredient got al over the regulator and hose and that is why they smell now.
We may have had just a hose problem but we both feel safer with a new regulator and made/newer hoses,

Jane

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Re: Tip to remove propane smell off hands

Reply #6 – March 02, 2019, 12:19:35 pm

Propane contains minute amounts of oil and Mercaptan, a substance used to odorize the gas.
Over long time periods, the oil can build up in the regulator and, under some situations, can damage the regulator's diagram, causing leaks.
If the regulator's vent is not located correctly, the accumulation of oil is much more likely
The oil will absorb some of the Mercaptan and is extremely odiferous.

Larry

Re: Tip to remove propane smell off hands

Reply #7 – March 02, 2019, 03:02:30 pm

Larry our old (and new) were correctly pointed down. But I have no idea how old it was so I figure likely past the 10 year expected lifetime. With nothing else obvious it was decided to replace it. While I don't know the mechanical specifics, if the smell was stronger after heavy propane appliance use it made sense the regulator was leaking while performing (eg doing its regulating vs just sitting static).

But your caution is a great heads up to always have hat regulator vent pointed down, even in temporary situations.

Jame

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