How to Get Blood Stains out of Carpet

Blood on the carpet, for whatever reason, is never a good thing. Blood stains are temperamental and can easily become a permanent stain if left unattended, so quick action is required to get rid of it. Blood turns red when it gets outside of the body and the longer it sits, the more it coagulates, and the harder it is to clean. With a few simple steps, however, and a quick response, blood can easily be removed from carpet.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Soft, clean cloth or paper towels
• Toothbrush
• Dish soap
• Ammonia

1. Use a soft, clean dry cloth or paper towel to blot the stain gently and remove as much of the blood as possible. Be careful not to scrub as this will spread the stain and make it larger.

2. Apply dish soap to the stain and scrub gently with a toothbrush. Use small, circular motions to keep the stain within a small area.

3. Using a damp, clean cloth, blot the area to "rinse" it.

4. Pour a small amount of ammonia onto the stain. Use only enough ammonia to cover the stained area. Allow it to soak for five to 10 minutes.

5. "Rinse" the area again with a clean, damp cloth. Repeat the process if there is still a stain.

Tips & Warnings

• Hydrogen peroxide works well on blood stains, but may fade your carpet. If you plan on using it, test an inconspicuous area of the carpet for colorfastness first.
• Ventilate the area well when using ammonia.

References

• How to Get Rid of Stuff: How to Get Rid of Blood Stains