How to Remove Blood Stains from Sheets, Bedding & Mattresses

Are you in need of a great blood stain removal technique?

You probably already know that out of all the stubborn stains, blood can be one of the hardest stains to remove from fabrics.

How do you remove blood without ruining your sheets and blankets, and what about items that that you simply cannot just throw into the washing machine?

Kids are responsible for most unexpected blood stains in homes. Many mothers have experienced the “blood-curdling” cry of a child who has fallen while running from a tricycle or bicycle, and come running in with blood streaming from skinned arms, elbows and knees. The first order of business is always to determine how badly the little varmint is hurt, treat the “owie” and then treat the stains.

If you are able to treat the blood stain immediately, it’s much easier to clean up than if it is allowed to set for several hours or longer.

Blood dissolves easily in water – cool or cold water. Don’t use hot water as it will cook the blood and you may never be able to get it out.

The good news is that after 3 kids, and 100’s of blood stains, I know just how to remove blood stains from pillows, sheets, blankets and even mattresses quickly and easily.

Come and follow me to the land of stain removal, and I’ll teach you how to be an expert blood stain remover too!

Are you ready, then? Let’s get busy cleaning!

How to Remove Blood Stains

In all cases:

• First remove as much as you can by rinsing the item using only plain cold water– add a dab of dish soap to your fingers to help break up the blood.
• Do NOT USE HEAT. Heat will set blood stains and make them permanent. This means to use COLD WATER only, not warm or hot.
• Do NOT USE THE DRYER. The heat from the dryer will set any vestige of the stain that remains – if there is any. Allow the blood stained item to either air dry on a hanger inside, or lay it flat on a picnic table or railing to allow the sun to draw any remaining stain and dry it at the same time.

Removing Fresh Blood Stains

Usually blood stains are removed very easily with a sponge or paper towels dipped in cold water. If the blood stains are on a counter surface, sink or other area where germs may congregate and come in contact with people, be sure to use a sanitizer spray or wipe thoroughly with Clorox.

Soak in Cold Water

If your fabric is washable (if in doubt, look at the manufacturer’s suggested cleaning method on the clothing tag), fill a sink with cold water and put the stained item in it. While wet, scrub the stained spot with your fingers or knuckles to loosen as much of the blood as is possible. If the stain is gone, you can go straight to laundering the fabric and skip pre-treating the stain.

Pre-Treat the Stain

If some blood remains after the cold water rinse or soak, pour 1 Tbs. straight dishwashing liquid (like dawn) or laundry soap directly on the stain. Let the detergent work on the stain for 15-30 minutes. The stain should be gone or very close to gone.

Cold Wash

Put the stained fabric in the washer on COLD, add detergent, and launder the material as usual. This should completely eliminate the blood stain.

Heavy Duty Stains

If a stain remains, we can still remove it completely- just as long as heat has not been applied to the stain. By heat I mean warm or hot water and the clothes dryer.

Follow this process to remove the last traces of blood from your material:

Hydrogen peroxide is highly recommended for treating blood stains as is common household ammonia.

• Hydrogen peroxide can be used full strength and poured directly from the bottle.
• Ammonia should be diluted with water – one tablespoon to a cup of water, applied and blotted up or the stained item washed as soon as possible.
• Let the cleaning solution work on the stain for 30-60 then wash in cold water.
• Repeat if necessary.

Removing Dried or Old Blood Stains

It isn’t always possible to immediately treat blood stains. This is especially true of bedding, sheets and even mattresses when sometimes menstrual blood has leaked.

If this happens;

1. Soak the sheets in cold water for several hours to loosen and dissolve as much of the stain as possible.
2. You might even run it through a complete cold water wash with a mild detergent.

Check the amount of stain remaining, then:

Mix 1 Tbs. Meat Tenderizer and 2 tsp. Cold Water to make a paste, and follow these instructions:

• Spread the paste on the blood stain and work in with your fingers.
• Allow it to sit for a half hour to an hour.
• Shake off excess and wash in cold water.

Removing Blood Stains from Mattresses

Combine the following to make a paste.

• 1/2 Cup Cornstarch
• 1 Tbs. Salt
• 1/4 Cup Hydrogen Peroxide

1. Using a spoon, daub the paste onto the mattress, directly on the stained area.
2. Allow to air dry until the paste is completely dry.
3. Scrape off and examine the stain.
4. If the stain is still there, reapply paste and repeat.

You may never be able to fully remove the stain and it’s best to prevent such stains from happening (including urine stains on mattresses) by investing in a mattress pad that can be removed and washed as necessary.

Accidents do happen.

Now you know all the tricks and tips to clean it up fast. If blood has stained a fabric that is washable, simply rinsing the blood stained area with cold water immediately and adding just a dab of detergent directly to the stain will do the trick. Now you are a qualified blood stain remover too.

Good Luck and Go Get Em’ (The stains, I mean!)