If you have children, you know how easily they can become bumped, bruised, and bloody.
A few minutes of playing outside can lead to skinned knees and blood down their legs and into their shoes.
Bloodstains can be very difficult and stressful to remove, but especially on items such as shoes that typically have many little nooks and crannies that blood can get into.
Before you toss the shoes into the trash, however, there are a few things you can try to get blood out of shoes.
Keep reading to find out the best methods and tools you will need to learn how to remove blood stains from shoes.
What You’ll Need
Hydrogen Peroxide
For stains that are both old and new, hydrogen peroxide is a great tool to use when removing blood from shoes.
It helps remove blood stains out of the fabric without causing any damage to the shoe.
If you have run out and need to order some click here.
Clean Cloth/Rags
You will need several clean cloths or rags to get your blood-stained shoes completely clean.
Rags that are dark colors rather than white are the best option.
I love to use these microfiber cleaning cloths that I found on Amazon.
Dish Soap
Dish soap, it seems, can remove just about any stain, so it will be a necessary tool for removing blood stains from shoes.
Water
Water will mix with the soap and rinse the shoe once the stain has been removed.
Protective Gloves
Gloves are a definite necessity when working with blood, especially if it is someone else’s blood.
I like to use these non-slip gloves that I found on Amazon.
And that’s it!
The items above are all you need to remove blood stains from shoes.
Step By Step Instructions For How To Remove Blood Stains From Shoes
#1.Blot The Stain With A Damp Cloth
Start by blotting the stained shoes with a damp cloth.
Do not scrub the stain, as this will only make it worse.
Whether the stain is fresh or dried, a wet cloth should remove at least some of the stain to make the rest of the cleaning process more manageable.
Use a new part of the cloth each time it gets soiled to ensure that you do not spread blood around to other parts of the shoe.
#2. Use Hydrogen Peroxide
Pour a small amount of hydrogen peroxide onto a clean, dry cloth.
You may want to test the hydrogen peroxide in a hidden area to make sure it will not damage the shoes’ color, depending on the fabric.
In most cases, the hydrogen peroxide will not affect the material of the shoe at all.
Again, make sure you are dabbing the material and not scrubbing it, as scrubbing will surely make the stain worse and much harder to remove.
Pro Tip:
For large stains, make sure to work from the edge of the stain to the inside to keep the stain from spreading further on the shoe.
#3. Rinse The Shoe With Water
Using another clean cloth, rinse the shoe with water and let it dry.
If the stain has been effectively removed with hydrogen peroxide, you should not see any residue or any remaining stained areas.
If you rinse and dry the shoe and you still see some blood left over, you can repeat the above steps with the hydrogen peroxide until you have completely removed the stain.
When you let the shoes dry, do not use any heat on them.
Heat can damage the shoe and cause the stain to get further set into the fabric if it has not been completely removed yet.
It is best to let the shoes air dry.
#4. Scrub With Soapy Water
Once you have ensured that the bloodstain has been completely removed, use another clean cloth that has been dampened with soap and water to scrub the spot where the stain used to be.
Do not complete this step until you are sure the stain has been completely removed.
If the stain has gotten down into any small areas of the shoe that are hard to reach, use a toothbrush to reach those hard to clean areas.
At this point, you can scrub the shoe to get it clean without risking damage to the shoe or a permanent bloodstain.
Commonly Asked Questions
Can I skip the hydrogen peroxide and go straight to cleaning the stain with soap and water?
If you do not have any hydrogen peroxide handy or you do not want to put any on your shoes, you can skip straight to the soap and water step.
However, you may not be able to altogether remove the stain with only soap and water.
Remember to dab the stain and do not scrub it.
Will these steps work on suede shoes?
Suede shoes should not get wet for any reason, so some of these steps will need to be modified to clean suede shoes.
Instead of hydrogen peroxide, use rubbing alcohol or white vinegar, as neither will stain suede.
Do not use soap and water on suede shoes.
Conclusion
Have you enjoyed learning how to remove blood stains from shoes?
If you have ever tossed out a pair of shoes due to a bloodstain, you are not alone.
Bloodstains can be a real headache to deal with.
They are messy and stain all kinds of fabric very quickly, especially after they have dried.
In most cases, however, shoes that have been blood-stained can be salvaged.
All it takes is a little extra work and precision to ensure your shoes do not get further damaged.
Now that you have read this article, you are an expert on how to remove blood stains from shoes.
The next time you find yourself in a messy situation, you will be prepared and ready to remove the stain with ease.
Good luck!
