How do you get rid of a strong gas smell?

September 21, 2025 •

4 min read

Natural gas, used in many homes, is naturally odorless, which is why a chemical called mercaptan is added to give it a signature rotten-egg scent for safety purposes. Knowing how to react and how do you get rid of a strong gas smell is critical, as the cause can range from a dangerous leak to a simple plumbing issue or even a dietary change affecting your body.

Quick Summary

Neutralizing a powerful gas odor requires identifying the source first, whether a safety risk from a leak, a sewer gas problem, or another issue. Key steps include immediate ventilation, addressing the root cause safely, and using absorbent materials like baking soda to remove lingering smells from affected areas.

Key Points

Natural Gas Emergency: If you smell a strong rotten-egg odor, evacuate immediately, do not use electronics or switches, and call 911 from a safe location.
Sewer Gas Issues: For odors from drains, check for dry P-traps, clean with baking soda and vinegar, or consult a plumber for persistent smells.
Gasoline Spill Cleanup: Ventilate the area, absorb spills with cat litter or baking soda, and use odor neutralizers like vinegar or coffee grounds.
Body Gas Control: Adjusting your diet to reduce high-sulfur foods, staying hydrated, and using probiotics can help manage foul-smelling flatulence.
Ventilation is Key: For any non-emergency gas smell, opening windows and using fans to increase airflow is the first and most effective step.
Natural Deodorizers: Baking soda, activated charcoal, and white vinegar are excellent tools for absorbing and neutralizing lingering odors in the home.

Immediate Action for Natural Gas Leaks

If you detect a sulfur-like, rotten-egg smell, it could indicate a natural gas leak, which is a serious safety hazard. The gas companies add this odor to odorless natural gas to make it detectable. A strong or persistent natural gas smell, particularly with a hissing sound, requires immediate action.

What to do during a suspected natural gas leak:

Evacuate immediately: Leave the building, taking everyone with you, and move a safe distance away. If outside, move upwind.
Do not use electronics or appliances: This includes cell phones, light switches, flashlights, doorbells, or anything that could cause a spark. A spark could trigger an explosion.
Call from a safe location: Once you are far from the building, call your gas utility company's emergency line and 911.
Do not re-enter: Stay away from the property until emergency responders have arrived, assessed the situation, and given the all-clear.

Resolving Sewer Gas Odors

Sewer gas has a distinct, unpleasant smell, often mistaken for natural gas, that can escape from plumbing systems. It is not as explosive but can be a health hazard if inhaled consistently and is a nuisance.

Common causes of sewer gas smell:

Dry P-traps: These curved pipes under sinks hold water, creating a seal against sewer gases. If a drain is unused, the water can evaporate. Running water down the drain refills the trap and solves the problem.
Clogged drains or overflows: Food particles, grease, and hair can get stuck and decompose, releasing foul smells. Overflow drains in sinks can also harbor bacteria.
Leaky toilet wax ring: A broken or improperly sealed wax ring at the base of your toilet allows gas to escape from the sewer pipe.
Cracked sewer vents: A damaged plumbing vent on your roof can force sewer gases back into the house.

How to get rid of a sewer gas smell:

Refill P-traps: Run water down every drain in your house for a few minutes, especially in infrequently used areas like guest bathrooms or laundry rooms.
Clean drains: Pour a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down the drain, followed by hot water, to clear minor clogs and disinfect.
Inspect and repair: If the smell persists, you may have a larger issue. Inspect toilet seals, and if you suspect a more serious problem with pipes or vents, call a professional plumber.

Neutralizing Gasoline Spills

Spilled gasoline leaves a powerful and lingering odor, especially on porous surfaces like carpet, concrete, or wood. Proper cleanup is essential for safety and to remove the smell.

Steps to clean a gasoline spill:

Ventilate immediately: Open all windows and doors and use fans to move fresh air through the space.
Absorb the spill: For small spills, blot with paper towels or rags. Avoid using water, as gasoline is insoluble. For larger spills, use a commercial absorbent product or kitty litter.
Use neutralizers: After cleaning, use odor-absorbing agents to treat the remaining smell. Effective options include baking soda, coffee grounds, or activated charcoal.
Treat surfaces: For carpets or upholstery, sprinkle baking soda liberally, let it sit for several hours or overnight, and then vacuum thoroughly. You can also spray a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water on hard surfaces and wipe clean.

Eliminating Strong Body Gas Odors

Sometimes, the strong gas smell originates from our own bodies in the form of foul-smelling flatulence. This is often related to diet, gut health, or certain digestive conditions.

Table: Dietary and Lifestyle Adjustments for Body Gas


Action	Recommended for	How it helps
Limit high-sulfur foods	Eggs, broccoli, garlic, onions	These foods can produce hydrogen sulfide, which causes a rotten-egg smell.
Adjust diet for intolerances	Dairy (lactose intolerance), gluten	Identifying and avoiding trigger foods can significantly reduce odor-causing gas production.
Drink more water	Constipation	Staying hydrated helps promote regular bowel movements, reducing gas buildup.
Increase fiber intake	Constipation	Gradually adding fiber aids digestion and reduces the time food ferments in the colon.
Take probiotics or charcoal	Poor gut bacteria balance	Probiotics help maintain a healthy gut flora, while activated charcoal can absorb gas and toxins.
Exercise regularly	Sluggish digestion	Physical activity stimulates intestinal contractions, aiding digestion and gas passage.

Conclusion

The key to getting rid of a strong gas smell is to accurately identify its source, which can range from an emergency natural gas leak to a benign but persistent odor from sewer pipes or a digestive issue. Always prioritize safety, and if you suspect a natural gas leak, evacuate and call for help immediately. For non-emergency odors, ventilation and the use of natural absorbers are effective solutions. Remember that persistent or concerning symptoms related to body gas may require a doctor's evaluation to rule out underlying health problems. For more information on safely dealing with plumbing issues, you can visit The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association.

Frequently Asked Questions

Natural gas has a distinctive rotten-egg or sulfur-like smell due to an additive called mercaptan, which is a key safety feature. Sewer gas can have a similar smell but is often less potent and is associated with plumbing issues like dry P-traps or drain clogs. Always treat a strong, persistent rotten-egg smell as a potential natural gas leak.

While often caused by diet, excessive or foul-smelling body gas can sometimes be a sign of an underlying digestive issue, such as food intolerance (like lactose), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). If home remedies don't help, consult a healthcare professional.

To remove gasoline smell from clothes, do not put them directly in a washer or dryer due to fire risk. Instead, pre-treat them by hand-washing with dish soap and letting them soak in a bucket with ammonia or vinegar before a final rinse. Air dry them thoroughly.

A rotten-egg smell from your water heater can be caused by bacteria reacting with the anode rod. Flushing the water heater can help, and replacing the anode rod with an aluminum-zinc alternative can prevent future issues. A professional plumber should handle this.

No, absolutely not. Never use an open flame or anything that could create a spark to investigate a gas leak. If you suspect a leak, evacuate and call emergency services from a safe distance, as this could cause an explosion.

No. Using air fresheners, candles, or other scented products will only mask the odor and will not solve the underlying problem. It is dangerous to light a flame when a natural gas leak is suspected. Address the source of the smell directly and ventilate the area instead.

After a confirmed natural gas leak is secured and the area is deemed safe by a professional, it can take an hour or more for the mercaptan odor to fully dissipate, depending on ventilation. Mercaptan is heavier than air, so opening lower-level windows can help.