How to Get Blood Stains Out of Clothes

Enzyme-based cleaners help remove blood stains.

Blood stains are considered to be organic stains because they contain proteins. Protein is the building block for nearly every living thing on the planet, but it's also what makes removing a blood stain difficult. Proteins react chemically and bind to one another; typically, you can't remove blood stains completely using traditional stain lifting methods. To remove blood stains from clothing, avoid exposing the garment to heat or hot water. Opt for using a natural enzyme to lift the stain instead of using bleach, or other chemical stain lifters.

Things You'll Need

• Enzyme based laundry detergent
• Paper towels

Instructions

1. Blot the blood stain with a paper towel to absorb as much of the stain as possible.

2. Hold the stained portion of clothing under a steady stream of cold water. This helps prevent the stain from setting in.

3. Fill a large basin with cold water. Add 2 to 3 tbsp. of detergent to the water. Pre-treat the blood stain with an enzyme-based detergent. Submerge the stained garment in the basin and soak it for 20 to 30 minutes before washing.

4. Wash your clothing with an enzymatic detergent, following the instructions on the care label. Remove the clothing from the washer at the end of the cycle and check to see if the stain is gone.

5. Rewash any clothing that is still blood-stained; otherwise, hang the clothing up to dry. You won't know if the blood stain is gone until the clothing is dry.

Tips & Warnings

• DO NOT PUT article into dryer if there is any stain left...this will "set" the stain and it will never come out.

• Don't dry the clothing in a dryer; if any part of the stain is still present, heat will cause it to set-in and the stain will be difficult to remove.

References

• "Pet Clean-up Made Easy: Tackle Any Pet Mess, Any Time, in a Snap - from Stains and Smells to Fleas and Furballs"; Don Aslett; August, 2005
• "Clean It Fast, Clean It Right: The Ultimate Guide to Making Absolutely Everything You Own Sparkle & Shine"; Jeff Bredenberg; December, 1999

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish