Worked with mineral spirit and accidentally spilled some all over? Well, we all make mistakes.
Now although you can’t reverse the accident, don’t lose hope. We’ll show you how to clean up mineral spirits spill, with the least fuss possible. All you’ll need is some water, mild soap, and a few handy devices.
Sounds fun? Well if that piqued your interest, then you’ll definitely enjoy what we have in store for you.
Without wasting another second, let’s dive right in!
What are mineral spirits made of?
Now before we try to clean the mineral spirit spill, let us first take a look at what mineral spirits are made up of. Why do you ask?
Well, only a foolish general would rush into battle without an appropriate strategy. Attempting to clean it off without knowing what it’s made of could make the situation way worse.
Let’s have a look-
In layman terms, mineral spirits are a petroleum distillate. This means that it’s a hydrocarbon solvent that is produced from crude oil. Mineral spirits are widely used to remove grease and clean machinery parts.
On top of that, Mineral spirits can also be used for cleaning, dissolving and thinning paints. You can also use it to dissolve gum from carpet and other sticky things like tape.
If you’re wondering whether mineral spirits have any color, they don’t. However, they do have a distinctive smell like that of kerosene. Also, they’re highly inflammable and super corrosive.
Before you work with mineral spirits, you must always keep in mind that it’s highly toxic and poisonous for you. Inhaling it by mistake could lead to mineral spirit poisoning.
The same rule applies if you accidentally get some mineral spirit on your skin. Since it’s an extremely powerful liquid, it could very easily lead to a chemical burn depending on the amount you’ve spilled.
Now that we have an idea on this topic, let’s see how we can remove this mineral spirit spill from virtually anything.
How to clean up mineral spirit spill?
Now that, you’ve spilled some mineral spirit on your skin. Or perhaps it’s the carpet you’ve stained by accidentally knocking over the bottle. Wrong? Then it must be a wooden floor or board that you’ve spilled the mineral spirit on.
No matter what the case may be, there are a few simple steps that you must follow to ensure minimal damage. Let’s take a look at them all.
Step 1: Assemble necessary items
Here’s a list of products that we recommend you buy. That way, you’ll have everything you need in hand and be able to act fast.
Just like having a good water spot remover for glass, these investments too will be well worth it!
Remember that when you have an accidental spill like this, often time isn’t on your side. So, the faster you act, the better chance you have at damage control. Let’s take a glance at the list.
Step 2: Wash the area with water
Whenever you have a spill of such a sort, the first thing you want to do is flood the area with water. Whether it comes to cleaning tree sap off windows or removing mineral spirits, this step is an absolute must.
Moreover, this is also a great way to reduce the severity of a chemical burn in case you spill some on your skin. Next, use a mild soap to clean the oily substance from your skin.
But if it’s a carpet or wooden floor that you’ve soaked, then use a hose or power washer to give the area a good wash.
Step 3: Use a water claw
If you’re wondering what a water claw is, it’s what dreams are made of. Especially if your dream consists of clean carpets. Even if you’re concerned about getting rid of fingerprint dust off surfaces, a water claw is an absolute lifesaver.
This device extracts both water and dirt out of your carpet. Since the mineral spirit is an oily substance, when you spray water on it, the oil floats above it.
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After drenching the surface with water, use a water claw to remove the mineral spirit altogether.
Step 4: Use a mild soap
Last but not the least, use a mild soap to clean off any residual mineral spirit. Soap and water are also a good way to hide urine stains from black light.
At this point, you’ll also be able to assess the damage.
If you have spilled it on a wooden surface, then it may need some sanding at this point.
How to dispose of mineral spirits?
Now at this point, we know that mineral spirits are pretty unsafe for you and the environment. If you breathe in the fumes then it can lead to poisoning.
Before you go, keep in mind to never flush away the leftover mineral spirit. This could lead to groundwater poisoning! Also, it’s not a good idea to dump them in your backyard as it could kill vegetation.
How to dispose of mineral spirits? – you ask. You can always give away extra spirit to a local art school or construction co-op.
But if your mineral spirit can’t be used anymore, then it’s best to get some help. If your city has a hazardous waste center, then contact them to get the job done.
If that still doesn’t sound good enough, you could always contact your local landfill. Just remember to pour the mineral spirit on some cat litter. This will make it less harmful and potent.
Bottom line
And that is a wrap on this topic! Just remember to act fast whenever you have a spill of this sort, and you can greatly reduce your damage.
If you enjoyed reading our post on how to clean up mineral spirits spill, don’t forget to comment down below.
Also, if you’ve had a similar experience then we’d love to hear from you. Until then, stay safe, and don’t forget, “prevention is always better than cure”!