How to Get Blood Stains Out of Fabric

Treat your blood stain quickly to avoid letting it set in.

Whether it's from a nosebleed, a cut or an accident, blood stains on fabric are difficult to remove. The key is to soak up any excess blood off the fabric and treat the stain as quickly as possible. Try any of the following techniques to remove blood from your clothing or furniture, keeping in mind that your results will vary depending on the fabric type and how long the stain has set. With any technique you try, remember to follow the manufacturer's included washing or dry-clean-only instructions to avoid damaging your fabric any further.

Things You'll Need

• Medicine dropper
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Cold water
• Nailbrush or toothbrush
• Glass cleaner
• Baking soda
• Clear household ammonia
• Dry towel

Instructions

1. Apply hydrogen peroxide, using a medicine dropper. Allow the hydrogen peroxide to foam. Let the garment sit for a few hours with the hydrogen peroxide on it, then rub the fabric gently with a nailbrush or toothbrush, applying a few drops of cold water as needed to moisten the area. If the stain has disappeared, rinse with cold water; if not, repeat the steps above.

2. Spray the stain with glass cleaner. Lightly scrub the cleaner into the fabric with a nailbrush or toothbrush. Let the garment sit for a few hours, and launder it in the washing machine or rinse with cold water. If the stain remains, repeat the process or try another technique without drying the garment in the dryer first.

3. For delicate fabrics, sprinkle baking soda directly on the stain and gently scrub with a nailbrush or toothbrush. Wet it with a few drops of cold water as needed. Repeat the process at least four times within an hour, then wash the garment in the washing machine or rinse with cold water.

4. Mix 1 tbsp. of clear household ammonia with 1/2 cup water. Dip a nailbrush or toothbrush into the mixture, and gently rub it onto the stain. For machine-washable fabrics, apply a few drops of laundry detergent, then rinse with cold water. For dry-clean-only fabrics, follow the ammonia treatment by rinsing the area with cold water and gently blotting it dry with a dry towel.

Tips & Warnings

• If one technique doesn't work, try another. Some stains might be too difficult to remove.

• Do not put hot water on the blood stain, and never put a stained garment in the dryer. The heat will cause the stain to set in and turn brown, and you might not be able to remove the stain.

References

• Mrs. Clean: How to Remove a Blood Stain