How to Remove Blood Stains

Accidents do happen. If blood has stained a fabric that is dry clean only, immediately flush thoroughly with cool water. Blot the wet area with an absorbent cotton towel or paper towel. Take the stained item to a reputable dry cleaner as soon as possible.

If the material or fabric is washable, rinse the blood stained area with cold water immediately. Then apply a paste of a powdered laundry detergent and water or shampoo, and then launder as usual.

Shampoo works really well to eliminate blood stains from machine washable clothing and hand washable clothing. Fresh blood stains can be removed in seconds, while older stains may need a bit of soaking.

Things to Keep in Mind When Removing Blood Stains

• Avoid rubbing the blood stain: While it’s tempting to rub the stain right away, this will push the blood deeper into the fabric, making it harder to remove.
• Work from the underside of the fabric: Turn the fabric inside out when removing a blood stain. This way, the cleaning solution and water can hit the stain from the back, helping to loosen the blood and push it out of the fabric.
• Do a patch test first: Different fabrics react to stain removers in different ways. Before using a product, test it on a hidden area of the garment- like a seam area. Apply the remover and wait 10-20 minutes. If there’s any discoloration or damage, don’t use it. If all looks fine, proceed.
• Use cold water: Always use cold water when treating blood stains. Hot water can actually set the stain – making it nearly impossible to remove. Cold water helps to loosen the blood without causing it to bind to the fabric, giving you a better chance of lifting the stain completely.. Hot
• Check the care label: Always read the garment’s care label for any special cleaning instructions. If a product is not recommended, follow the label’s guidance.

Removing a Blood Stain Using Shampoo & Salt

1. Rinse as much blood out of the item as possible.
2. Soak the stained area in cold water for about 15 minutes.
3. Gently rub in 1 tablespoon salt to the stained area with your finger.
4. Pour a small amount of shampoo over the salt.
5. Gently work the shampoo and salt into a lather (A lot of lather isn’t necessary).
6. Rinse when finished.
7. Launder as usual in cold water. If the blood stain remains, repeat the process.

Removing Blood Stains from Sheets Using Baking Soda

Baking soda, a reliable household staple, is also effective at removing blood stains.

To use it, create a paste by mixing baking soda with water (a thickness like toothpaste) and apply it directly to the stain. Let it sit for about 30 minutes, then rinse the fabric thoroughly.

If needed, repeat the process until the stain fades.

Use Hydrogen Peroxide to Remove Color from Sheets

If some of the color remains after using the baking soda paste, try using hydrogen peroxide.

If your sheets are colored – test the hydrogen peroxide in an inconspicuous spot first for colorfastness.

Once the stain is gone, wash the sheets in cold water to ensure a complete clean.