Removing a blood stain from clothing can be a very daunting and intimidating task, and it is not something that anyone wants to deal with, but sometimes it is unavoidable.
Blood stains quickly and easily on just about every surface, so if the stain is not removed promptly, it can cause permanent damage to your clothing.
Fortunately, removing blood stains from clothing doesn’t have to be scary.
There are many excellent methods out there to remove even the toughest blood stain from your clothing and leave them looking as clean as the day you purchased them.
Keep reading to find out how to get blood stains out of clothes.
What You’ll Need
- Cold Water
- Mild Laundry Detergent
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
- Protective Cleaning Gloves
Cold Water
Cold water is an essential item to clean blood stains.
It is crucial to use cold water because warm water tends to make the blood stain soak further and further into the clothing’s fibers.
Laundry Detergent
A mild liquid laundry detergent will be used to soak the clothing and ensure that the blood is lifted from the fabric.
It is important to note that detergent does not sanitize.
It will merely help remove the stain.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a faithful miracle worker when it comes to removing stains, especially blood stains.
It will help break down the particles of the blood and lift them from the fabric.
I love to use this Solimo Hydrogen Peroxide Topical Solution USP Spray Bottle.
Because it’s already in a spray bottle, it’s so much easier to apply onto the fabric.
Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
A few clean cloths will be necessary to remove the blood stain and blot it all out thoroughly.
Microfiber Cleaning Cloths work really well because you can reuse them repeatedly after different cleaning projects.
Protective Gloves
It is essential always to wear protective gloves when working with any bodily fluid, but especially when working with blood.
These Reusable Kitchen Cleaning Gloves with latex-free, cotton lining have been a lifesaver for me over the years.
Make sure to protect yourself!
Step By Step Instructions For How To Remove Blood Stains From Clothes
#1. Dab The Stain To Remove Excess Blood
Using a clean cloth that has been dampened with cold water, blot the stain and remove as much blood as possible.
This is an essential step when you are working with a fresh blood stain, but it is also vital to complete this step if you are working with an old blood stain.
The cold water should work to remove even a tiny amount of blood, making the whole stain removal process a bit easier.
Remember, cold water is essential because warm water can force the stain further into the fibers of the fabric, which will make the stain much harder to remove.
#2. Soak In Water And Detergent
Fill a sink or basin with cold water and a few drops of a mild liquid laundry detergent and let the clothing soak for up to an hour.
Make sure you are using a detergent that is safe for the type of fabric you are working with.
You also may not want to soak certain fabrics like wool or silk for very long as it may cause further damage to the material.
#3. Blot With Hydrogen Peroxide
After the clothing has had time to soak, take it out of the basin and let the water run out.
The majority of the stain should be removed at this point, but the rest shouldn’t be too difficult to remove.
Using another clean cloth, blot the stain with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide.
When blotting the stain, work from the outside to the inside.
Use a small amount of hydrogen peroxide and add more as you need it.
The hydrogen peroxide may produce slight fizzing or bubbles, but that means it is working.
The rest of the stain should be pretty removed pretty quickly with the hydrogen peroxide.
#4. Dry and Repeat the Process
After you have removed all of the visible stains, rinse out the hydrogen peroxide from the clothing and leave it out to dry.
Please do not put the clothing in the dryer or use any heat on the stain until you are sure it has been entirely removed.
Let the clothing dry thoroughly and assess the stain.
If any blood remains, repeat the process until the stain has been completely removed.
After you are sure that the stain has been entirely removed, you can wash and dry the clothing as usual.
Questions About How To Remove Blood Stains From Clothes
I don’t have any hydrogen peroxide. Is there something else I can use instead?
Unfortunately, there is nothing that can match the blood stain removing abilities of hydrogen peroxide.
The good news is that hydrogen peroxide is typically very easy to find and relatively inexpensive, so it shouldn’t cause you too much trouble to pick up a bottle at the grocery store.
Hydrogen peroxide works great on stains other than blood, too, so it’s a great thing to keep around the house at all times.
Can I use powdered laundry detergent instead of liquid?
In a pinch, you can undoubtedly use powdered laundry detergent instead of liquid.
Just run the cold water and let the detergent dissolve before you start soaking the clothing.
You won’t need much detergent, so make sure only to sprinkle a small amount into the basin or sink you will be soaking your clothing in.
Will this process work with old blood stains?
Yes, this process will work with old blood stains, as well as fresh blood stains.
For an older blood stain, you will need to repeat the process a few extra times, particularly the step with the hydrogen peroxide.
You will be able to remove an old stain with just a little bit of extra work.
Conclusion
Have you enjoyed learning how to get blood stains out of clothes?
Though it’s never a pleasant surprise to find blood stains on your clothing or the clothing of someone in your home, it is sometimes unavoidable.
Accidents happen, and as a result, blood stains end up on clothes more often than we might like.
Though getting blood stains out of clothing can take some work, but it is definitely worth the effort to keep your clothes looking fresh and clean.
The next time you find yourself in a messy situation, you can be assured that you are prepared and ready to tackle the blood stain like a true professional.
