How to Remove Blood From White Silk

Fragile and beautiful white silk requires special care.

Blood stains on white silk look bad. So what's the good news? The fact that the silk is white means you don't have to worry quite so much about removing fabric dye along with the stain. It's possible to restore the silk garment's old look with just a little time and effort. If those dried-in rusty-looking stains all over the garment are really blood and not some other problem such as built-up detergent residue, old makeup or discolored silk fibers, the same method will work on them

Things You'll Need

• Mild hand dish soap
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Ammonia
• Water
• Tissue (optional)
• Sponge (optional)

Instructions

1. Apply a few drops of mild hand dish soap to the stain and flush with cold tap water. Rub gently with your fingers or a sponge. If the blood seems to be thicker and crustier on one side of the fabric than the other, hold that side down toward the sink or basin to prevent spreading the stain.

2. Apply just a drop of hydrogen peroxide to an inconspicuous area of the garment such as an inside hem. If discoloration occurs, blot your test spot with a tissue and dilute your hydrogen peroxide with an equal amount of cold water. Try again on another inconspicuous spot. Keep diluting until the test spot is not discolored.

3. Apply the hydrogen peroxide or the appropriate hydrogen peroxide and water solution directly to the stain. Wait a couple minutes for it to work, then rinse in cold water.

4. Apply the hydrogen peroxide again if the stain remains. Add just a drop or two of ammonia and rub very gently. Rinse with cold water.

5. Soak the garment overnight in a solution of 1 tbsp. ammonia to 1 cup water and wash as usual.

Tips & Warnings

• Non-chlorine oxygen bleach can be used instead of the hydrogen peroxide.

• Chlorine bleach discolors and damages silk fibers and can actually cause yellowed and rusty-looking discolorations.

References

• "Easy Household Tips: 1001 Ideas for Caring for and Maintaining Your Home;" The Editors of Woman's Day; 2008
• "The Good Housekeeping Household Encyclopedia;" Good Housekeeping; 1993
• "How To Clean Everything: The Authoritative Guide to Cleaning, Conditioning and Stain Removal for Every Type of Material and Surface;" Alma Chesnut Moore; 1977
• Cornell Cooperative Extension: Blood Stains

Resources

• Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute: Stain Removal