Removing Blood Stains
Did you get a paper cut at work and end up with blood all over your nice white shirt? Not even just a nice white shirt, but your favorite white shirt? It happens. You don’t need to throw it out though. With a few tricks, you can get the blood stain out of your shirt by the next day.
Common household products that help remove blood stains are:
- Vinegar
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Ammonia (for tough stains)
For fresh blood stains…
Run Under Cold Water
The first thing you’ll want to do is remove fresh blood on the garment by running cold water over it. Or let it soak for 15 to 20 minutes. The easiest way to remove a blood stain from a garment is to act while the blood is still fresh.
If the stain is on a mattress, piece of furniture, or on the carpet and can’t be soaked take a wet washcloth and heavily blot the stain with water. Be careful not to use hot water when doing this. Hot water can cause the stain to penetrate deeper and risk the stain being removed effectively.
Apply Solution
After the garment has had time to soak, take some hydrogen peroxide and pour it on the stain. Hydrogen peroxide works wonders for removing wet blood stains but it’s important to note that it can bleach or weaken certain garments and fabrics. So make sure you take a Q-tip and test out a small part of the stain or unnoticeable part of the garment before using it. If it works well with that product you may also soak the item of clothing in a solution of cold water and hydrogen peroxide for 15 to 20 minutes depending on the size of the stain. After it’s had time to soak, throw it in the washer and the stain should be gone. You may need to repeat this process once or twice in order to fully remove the blood stain.
Another option is to use salt. This is a great option for delicate fabrics that you may not be able to use hydrogen peroxide on or fabrics that you cannot throw into the washer like the carpet. After you’ve soaked the stain in water or taken your washcloth to the stain with cold water you’re going to create a salt paste. Just mix some water in with your salt, enough to saturate the stain, enough to create a pasty solution. You don’t want it to be too watery. Then rub the paste deeply into your stain and rinse with cold water. Repeat this process until the stain is gone and then throw the garment into the washer (using cold water) if applicable.
For dry blood stains…
Apply Toothpaste
Take some toothpaste and apply it to the blood stain area and let it dry. After it’s dry, rinse the toothpaste off with cold water. If you can throw the stained material in the washer, do so now using cold water. If not, take some soap and washcloth to the material and rinse thoroughly with cold water.
Other Surfaces
Blood on hardwood floors…
If your hardwood floor is protected with a finish, removing blood it is easy. Hardwood finishes like wax, urethane, and polyurethane protect the hardwood floor from moisture, wear and most stains. So in many cases, the blood can be easily wiped away with a wet rag and some vinegar.
Blood on satin sheets…
Since satin is a delicate fabric it should be handled with care. For satin blood stains, use gentle removal agents like the salt paste and cold water. That will often do the trick. It’s best to act on these stains as soon as possible.
Blood on jeans…
Soaking your jeans in cold water treatment is an effective way to remove fresh blood stains. If the stain persists, try the hydrogen peroxide method listed above. But if the blood is dried it can be removed by using common household products like salt, ammonia and even baking soda.
Blood on silk…
Silk is like satin and should be treated as so. You should only use the gentlest removal agents on it like cold water, salt, and dishwashing soap. Avoid using ammonia or chemical cleaners, which could damage the fabric.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I handle blood stains if I don’t have time to clean them immediately?
When you discover a blood stain but can’t treat it right away, the most important thing is to prevent it from setting permanently. We recommend running cold water over the stain for at least 30 seconds, then blotting it with a clean white towel until most of the moisture is absorbed. If you’re dealing with a mattress or couch cushion that can’t be moved to a sink, grab an ice cube and rub it directly on the stain while blotting with a towel – this keeps the stain cold and prevents the proteins in blood from bonding to the fabric fibers. Once you’ve done this quick treatment, sprinkle regular table salt heavily over the damp area to draw out remaining moisture, then leave it alone until you have time for proper cleaning.
For busy professionals who encounter stubborn stains or simply don’t have time for deep cleaning tasks, Maid Sailors offers same-day house cleaning New York services with just a text message. Our team brings all necessary cleaning supplies and can tackle tough stains like blood while handling your regular cleaning needs, so you don’t have to choose between a clean home and your packed schedule.
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