Recently a message showed up in my inbox that made my heart sink. I couldn't help imagine what it would be like to lend my car to someone, only to have him or her return it in worse condition. And what if that condition is not reversible?! Thankfully, I have good news for the desperate reader.

DEAR MARY: I have a problem that I can't solve and was wondering if you would be able to help. Someone borrowed my car recently and transported a small generator in it. Somehow, the gasoline spilled inside my Explorer and left a very intense gasoline smell. I have tried everything I can think of and nothing has removed the smell. I steamed cleaned it with carpet shampoo, sprinkled it with baking soda and vacuumed it up, and I saturated it with Nok-Out at least three times to no avail. Any ideas? — Lisa

DEAR LISA: My first response to your dilemma was to wonder if this "person" was at one time on your list of friends (relatives?) but I won't go there. Instead, I do have a solution for you and one that does not involve pushing that SUV off a cliff. It's long, so bear with me.

This is a job for Nok-Out — an odor-eliminating product that is nontoxic, fragrance-free and absolutely works wonders when used correctly for each situation.

Gasoline presents a particular challenge for Nok-Out because while Nok-Out requires direct contact with the odor source, gasoline and water don't mix and barely come into direct contact. Therefore it is a bit difficult to achieve the direct contact that is required for Nok-Out to do its job. However, there is something in Nok-Out called a surfactant (you could think of it as a kind of soap) that allows direct contact between water and oil (gasoline is petroleum oil) to occur so Nok-Out can work against this powerful odor.

I would suggest to first air out the car thoroughly. Then get into the back where the generator did its deed. Get your nose down into the area and try to pinpoint exactly where the odor is coming from. Mark those areas with chalk (or smoother way to note specific location).

Next, spray Nok-Out heavily into those areas and also over the surrounding areas as well; spray heavily enough so that it penetrates deeply into the floor material. Wear rubber gloves and massage Nok-Out all the way down. Allow to air dry naturally with the windows open. Do not be deterred if more than one application is required to get it all. (I'm sure you are fully aware by now how tough this issue is.)

Keep in mind that Nok-Out needs to come into direct contact with ALL the smelly stuff — all it takes is one missed spot to allow the odor to remain. There may be spots one wouldn't think of that got a douse of that gasoline. Wait for it to dry fully before giving it the smell test. Open all of the windows and let fresh air fill the car. Repeat as needed.

Be sure to check pull back the floor cover (carpet or rubber) that was under the generator. It may be that there is a space under this floor that got doused as well. Maybe there is a spare tire hiding a bit of raw gas.

Think of this process as getting rid of a little bit more every time you do it. Each application will scrape away another thin layer and, with persistence, you will eventually get all of it.

Keep in mind that gasoline is highly volatile and some of the loose molecules that evaporated into the air may have been re-absorbed by other materials in the car as well — think headliner and seat cushions. It may also be a good idea to use a household vaporizer to get to these out-of-the-contaminated-zone areas: Pour 4 to 6 ounces of Nok-Out into the reservoir of the vaporizer and turn it on. Allow the car to remain closed overnight with the vaporizer running, then open the windows and allow it to air out thoroughly in the morning.

Eliminating gasoline odors is a tough assignment, even for Nok-Out. But don't give up. I'm confident that if you are persistent you will eventually get it all. And don't forget to use code DPL for 10 percent off your order when ordering Nok-Out at either NokOut.com or by calling Nok-Out HQ at 1-866-551-1927.

Mary invites questions, comments and tips at [email protected], or c/o Everyday Cheapskate, 12340 Seal Beach Blvd., Suite B-416, Seal Beach, CA 90740. This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com, a personal finance member website and the author of "Debt-Proof Living," released in 2014. To find out more about Mary and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.