Effective Ways to Remove Blood Stains.

Removing Blood Stains from a Variety of Fabrics

Maybe someone had a bloody nose, and now there are drops of blood on the carpet and on their clothes, maybe even the furniture. You’re not alone – this is a common occurrence. Knowing how to remove blood stains from fabric can make a big difference in keeping your home looking its best.

Besides a bloody nose, there are many other ways in which you may end up with a blood stain on clothing, furniture, carpet, etc. Fortunately, learning how to remove blood stains from fabric can help you tackle these messes efficiently.

There are simple ways to get blood out of virtually anything. You can do this yourself before spending money to have the carpet cleaned or tossing out blood-stained clothes.

As with any other spill or accident, you want to get to a blood stain as quickly as you can. However, even if it has had time to set in, you can still get your fabrics looking good as new!

Removing Blood Stains from Clothing

The key to getting blood stains out of your clothes is using cold water. As soon as you’re able, soak the blood-stained item in cold water. As with any stain, the sooner you get to it, the better your chances of easily removing it.

Do not use warm or hot water, as this can cause the blood to set further. Heat will “cook” the blood, making it much harder to remove later.

For Fresh Blood Stains

1. Soak the stained area in cold water for about five minutes.
2. If the stain remains, mix two tablespoons of salt in about four cups of water and soak the stained area again for five minutes or longer.
3. If the stain is fresh, minimal scrubbing may be required.
4. If the stain has begun to set, gently rub the area between your fingers.
5. Rinse with cold water.

How Does Salt Help Remove a Blood Stain?

The sodium ions in salt help break down and push out the iron ions from blood cells, which helps remove the color of the blood. This is a great method when learning how to remove blood stains from fabric.

Removing Old Blood Stains from Clothing Using Salt and Shampoo

If the blood has dried, let it soak in cold water while occasionally scrubbing the area for 15 minutes or longer. This alone may not remove all the blood, so after lightly wringing out the fabric:

1. Lay it flat on a clean towel.
2. Sprinkle a tablespoon of salt onto the stain and let it sit.
3. Use your fingers or a clean toothbrush to scrub in a circular motion.
4. Check the stain but do not rinse yet.
5. If the stain is lifting, continue with just salt and water or add a bit of shampoo, work into a lather, then sprinkle more salt and scrub again.
6. Once satisfied, rinse the garment and wash as usual.

This method often works for a variety of fabrics, but be cautious with delicate materials like silk and wool.

Removing Old Blood Stains from Clothing Using Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is highly effective for removing both fresh and old blood stains. However, for colored fabrics, always test it in an inconspicuous area first, as it may cause fading.

1. Lay the blood-stained item on a clean towel.
2. Pour 3% hydrogen peroxide directly onto the stain.
3. Cover with another clean towel.
4. Let it sit – older stains may take longer and require additional applications.
5. Once the stain has lifted, wash as usual.

Place a piece of plastic wrap between the towels and the garment to prevent the stain from transferring.

Removing Blood from Upholstery

This method works for most fabric furniture, except leather and suede. Blood stains on furniture are trickier since you can’t rinse them completely. If the cushion cover is removable, check the label before washing it as some fabrics can shrink.

For fresh stains:

1. Blot up as much blood as possible using paper towels. Blot – do not scrub, as scrubbing pushes the stain deeper.
2. Mix one tablespoon of liquid dish soap (like Dawn) with two cups of cold water.
3. Dampen a clean cloth with the mixture and blot the stain, repeating as needed.
4. Blot with plain cold water.
5. Pat dry with paper towels and cover with a clean, dry towel to absorb excess moisture.

If the stain persists:

• Test hydrogen peroxide on a hidden area first.
• If safe, apply a small amount and blot with a clean cloth.

Blood stains that have set in may take longer to remove. Always treat upholstery gently to avoid fabric damage.

Blood Stains on Dry-Clean Fabrics

1. Rinse the stain with cold water to remove as much blood as possible.
2. Dab the stain with a 50/50 mixture of cold water and ammonia.
3. Rinse with cold water to remove any ammonia residue.
4. Repeat as necessary.

If the stain remains, take the item to a professional dry cleaner and inform them of your previous treatment attempts.

For suede or leather, do not attempt to clean the stain yourself – take it to a dry cleaner as soon as possible.

Removing Blood from Carpeting

For large amounts of blood that have soaked into carpet padding, professional cleaning or carpet replacement is recommended for sanitary reasons.

For small spots:

1. Test 3% hydrogen peroxide in an inconspicuous area first.
2. Pour hydrogen peroxide directly on the stain and let it sit for 15 minutes.
3. Cover with a towel.
4. Check progress and repeat if needed.
5. Once the stain is gone, blot up excess moisture and cover the area with a towel until dry.

Enzyme-based cleaners (like those for pet stains) can also be effective for removing old blood stains from carpet.

While it may seem impossible to remove blood from fabric, patience and the right techniques can restore your fabrics. Whether using salt, shampoo, hydrogen peroxide, or dish soap, you can successfully lift stains from clothes, upholstery, and carpets.

Always act quickly for the best results, and remember – test cleaning solutions on a hidden area first! Learning how to remove blood stains from fabric will help you tackle stains quickly and effectively.