How to Get Fresh Blood Stains Out of Clothes

It's easier to remove blood stains while they're still fresh.

Accidental blood stains on your clothing can create quite a mess. Whether from a cut, injury or menstrual cycle, fresh blood stains quickly soak into the fibers of your clothing. Left unattended, they can cause a permanent stain. Since blood contains proteins, you must be careful when removing the stain. Hot water cooks protein stains, making them permanent. Use proper technique and tend to the stain as quickly as possible for the most successful results.

Things You'll Need

• Paper towels
• Meat tenderizer
• Bowl
• Spoon
• Bucket
• Enzyme pre-wash stain remover
• Heavy duty laundry detergent
• Oxygen bleach

Instructions

1. Blot the fresh stain with paper towels to soak up as much blood as possible. Press the paper towels into the fabric, rather than rubbing or scrubbing. Discard the soiled paper towels.

2. Mix equal parts of meat tenderizer and water, using a bowl and spoon, to make a paste. Apply the paste over the blood stain and allow it to sit for 10 minutes. The meat tenderizer helps to break down the proteins in the blood.

3. 

   Always soak blood-stained clothes in cold water.

   Brush off the meat tenderizer. Soak your clothes in a bucket of cold water for half an hour. Agitate the fabric every few minutes by swishing it around and dunking it in and out of the water.

4. Flush the site of the blood stain with cold water. Rub an enzyme pre-wash stain remover on the remaining stain to further break down the proteins and help loosen the stain. Leave the pre-wash on your clothes for 10 minutes before rinsing off.

5. 

   Acting fast to treat and wash blood-stained clothes makes all the difference in removing stains.

   Launder your clothes in warm water, using heavy duty laundry detergent and oxygen bleach to remove any last traces of blood stain. Check your clothes, to make sure the stain is fully removed, before placing them in the dryer. Repeat these steps to treat remaining blood stains.

Tips & Warnings

• Hydrogen peroxide can be poured on blood stains to help remove them.

• If a blood stain dries, scrape off the dried substance first, then proceed with these directions.

• Use an absorbent, such as baking soda or dry meat tenderizer, to soak up a blood stain on dryclean-only fabric, then immediately bring the garment to the drycleaners.

References

• Ohio State University: Quick & Easy Stain Removal Guide: Protein Stains
• Good Housekeeping: Stain Buster: Blood: Fabric
• University of Illinois Extension: Stain Solutions: Blood: Stain Removal for Washable Fabrics
• Good Housekeeping: Heloise Hints: How to Get Rid of Stains and Odors: Bloodstains