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How to Remove Blood Stains from Fabrics

Whether you’re living solo or in a forever-buzzing home, the reality is that accidents can and do happen. And between shaving nicks, sudden nosebleeds, playground falls or your period doing a surprise start, things can get messy when you have to deal with blood stains on your garments.

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How to Remove Blood from Clothes

Add to that blood stains on any kind of fabric are known for being stubborn and difficult to remove - leaving stains that may have you thinking you have to give up on and get rid of your garment altogether. Rather than getting rid of your favourite gear or fabrics simply because of stubborn blood stains, try out our terrific tips, tricks and home remedies instead. With these top tips, you can ensure you never have to part ways with your favourite items because of blood stains.

Top Tips to Help You Remove Blood Stains

#1 – Act Fast

As with most stains, the key to removing blood stains is to act quickly by treating the stain while it’s still fresh. The longer you leave the stain, the more it will set into the fabric, making it harder to clean. So as soon as you notice a blood stain, rinse the fabric under cold running water to help rinse away, break down and dissolve as much blood as possible and ensure it doesn’t dry on the fabric.

Top Tip: When treating blood stains on your clothing, always use cold water to rinse and wash the stain, as warm or hot water will set the stain and make it harder to remove.

#2 – Soap and Soak Your Items

After rinsing the material, the next step is to apply a detergent or stain remover to the stain. Fortunately, when it comes to ways to remove blood stains from fabrics, there are many different types of solutions that can be used, such as hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, bar soap or a commercial stain remover. Apply the stain remover to the stain and let it sit for a few minutes, depending on the instructions on the detergent and fabric labels, and then rinse.

#3 – Wash the Fabric

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After you treat the stain with a detergent or stain remover, it’s time to wash the fabric as normal. Use a cold wash cycle, or cold water if handwashing, and a high-quality laundry detergent like OMO washing powders, to give your garments a thorough wash. If the stain is still visible, repeat steps 2 and 3 until it's gone.

With these three simple steps, you have the techniques to get blood stains out of your clothes or any other fabrics with ease. For white fabrics though, it’s a good idea to soak the items as soon as possible in a cold water and laundry detergent solution. If that doesn’t work, try using a detergent with bleach, but be sure to follow the clothing and detergent label instructions. Here are some bonus blood-stain-removal tips to ensure you have no trouble getting rid of stubborn blood stains:

  • If the fabric of your stained item is delicate or prone to shrinking, take it to a professional cleaner.

  • For dried blood stains, soak the fabric in cold water with some stain remover for a few hours before washing.

  • Avoid using bleach to try and remove blood stains as this can damage your fabric and make the stain worse.

  • Be sure to test any stain remover or detergent on a small, hidden area of the fabric like the hem first, to ensure it won't cause discolouration or damage.

Getting rid of blood stains on your garments can be tricky, but with these effective stain-removing tips, you can ensure you never have to let go of your favourite fabrics because of tough stains. For more effective laundry tips and tricks, visit Cleanipedia today.

FAQs

How do you get dried blood out of fabrics?

To get dried blood out of your fabrics, leave the fabric to soak in cold, soapy water for a few hours. Rub the stain after soaking, and then apply stain remover or detergent directly to the stain and let it sit for a few minutes before washing the item as normal.

What is the best stain remover for dried blood on fabrics?

To remove dried blood from your fabrics, we recommend using either baking soda, hydrogen peroxide or a quality commercial stain remover.

Does salt remove blood stains from fabrics?

Yes, salt can help to remove blood stains from your fabrics.

Does baking soda remove blood stains from fabrics?

Yes, baking soda can help to remove blood stains from your fabrics.

Originally published