Kerosene may not have the popularity around the home that it once enjoyed, but there are still enough household uses that the strong odor can cause some problems. Here are some tips on how to go about deodorizing kerosene for various uses around the house.

One of the oldest methods of creating deodorized kerosene is by using paraffin. Paraffin oil has the ability to cut the smell of kerosene, making it almost odorless. While the amount of paraffin oil varies from one folklore recipe to the next, most recommend cutting the kerosene with one part paraffin oil to two parts kerosene. Many people also believe that this combination will result in kerosene that will burn brighter in an oil lamp.

If there is no paraffin available, the idea of using common rubbing alcohol is an option. Rubbing alcohol is actually isopropyl alcohol, and can be obtained at most discount retail stores. If the kerosene is destined for use in a camping lamp or heater, adding in one ounce of rubbing alcohol is understood to be able to greatly decrease the aroma of a gallon of kerosene fuel. If rubbing alcohol is not readily available, it is understood that using a recipe of one part mineral spirits to three parts kerosene will yield the same effect. As a third example of eliminating odor through the use of an addition, twenty drops of sassafras oil is said to cut the odor of a gallon of kerosene greatly.

When it comes to attempting to filter out odors from the kerosene, there are two suggested methods. First, run the kerosene through an activated carbon filter. The carbon filter is said to catch some of the elements in the kerosene that actually cause the odor. By eliminating most of them from the kerosene, the odor is drastically reduced. A second approach is to add one cup of powdered limestone to a gallon of kerosene. Allow the mixture to set for three to five days. By then any residue of the powder will have settled to the bottom of the container. Strain the kerosene into a clean container. The limestone is said to absorb the odor causing properties of the kerosene, leaving the fuel to burn brightly and with almost no odor at all.

For persons who cannot stand the strong odor of kerosene, these methods can make the difference between an enjoyable camping trip or one that is pure misery. Before your next camping trip, experiment with a couple of these recipes to kill the odor of kerosene, and see what you think.