How do you store gasoline safely at home?
Short answer: Store gasoline only in an approved, labeled fuel can, filled no more than 95 percent full. Keep it at room temperature, outside living areas, and away from sunlight, water heaters and pilot lights. Fill cans on the ground, use gas only as motor fuel, and take bad gas to hazardous waste collection.
What kind of container should gasoline be stored in?
Use only a container with an approved label for gasoline. The Maryland Department of the Environment says never to store gasoline in glass or unapproved containers.
- Cap the can tightly after filling.
- Do not use a can that does not seal properly.
- Fill it no more than 95 percent full to leave room for expansion.
For a 5-gallon can, 95 percent is 5 x 0.95 = 4.75 gallons. Stop about a quarter gallon short of the brim.
Where is the safest place to store gas at home?
Keep gasoline out of living areas. A well-ventilated detached shed or garage, away from any appliance with a flame, is a common choice. MDE says to store it at room temperature, away from heat sources such as the sun and water heaters.
Gasoline vapor is heavier than air. It can travel along the floor to an ignition source some distance away. That is why location matters more than the can alone.
| Keep gasoline away from | Why |
|---|---|
| Water heaters and furnaces | Pilot lights and burners sit near floor level |
| Direct sun and hot car trunks | Heat raises pressure and vapor release |
| Heaters and cooking units | Open flames and hot surfaces |
| Sparks and open flames | Sparks can ignite vapor |
| Living areas and bedrooms | A leak or fire spreads to occupied space |
Do not leave a gas can in a car trunk. Store small amounts only, and check your local fire department for quantity limits. Rules on how much you may keep vary by jurisdiction.
Why fill gas cans on the ground?
A can sitting in a vehicle, such as on a plastic bed liner or carpet, can build up static electricity, and a spark at the nozzle could ignite vapor. The MDE guidance says:
- Place the can on the ground before filling.
- Keep the nozzle in contact with the can while filling.
- Never fill a can in or on a vehicle, including car trunks and truck beds.
Can you use gasoline as a cleaner?
No. MDE says to use gasoline as motor fuel only and never to wash your hands with it. That also rules out degreasing parts or stripping paint. Its vapor ignites easily.
How long does stored gasoline last?
Gasoline deteriorates in storage, and MDE notes deteriorated gas is not easy to dispose of. The fact sheet gives no shelf life. Fuel stabilizers are sold to slow aging; follow the stabilizer label and your equipment manual for timing. Buying only what you expect to use soon keeps the problem small.
Before storing a mower for winter, see how to winterize a lawn mower for how to handle the fuel in the tank.
How do you dispose of old gasoline?
Never pour gasoline on the ground or into a sewer, storm drain or stream.
- Excess gas in good condition can be added to a gasoline car or truck’s fuel tank, per MDE.
- Badly deteriorated gas should go to a household hazardous waste collection program.
- Your county or city waste agency can tell you where and when.
Quick answers
Can I store gasoline in my attached garage? Many people do. Keep the can well away from water heaters, furnaces and other pilot lights, since vapor travels along the floor. A detached shed is a common alternative.
How full should a gas can be? No more than 95 percent full. That leaves room for the fuel to expand as it warms.
Is it safe to keep gasoline in a car trunk? No. MDE says never to leave it in the trunk of a car. Trunks get hot and trap vapor.
Can I store gas in a milk jug or glass bottle? No. Use only a container with an approved label for gasoline.
How much gasoline can I keep at home? Limits vary by local fire code. Call your local fire department or fire marshal and keep only what you need.