How to Get Blood Stains Out of Clothes

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Have you ever got blood on your favorite clothes, uniform, or outfit you recently bought? Was it from a mysterious wound, a period-related accident, or a scrape on your elbow or knee after playing basketball?

Whatever the cause, you now have a messy blood stain on your clothes, but don’t worry; removing blood stains is not as hard as it seems. Listed below is how to get blood stains out of clothes!

How to Get Blood Stains Out of Clothes

Due to their chemical properties, blood stains can be among the most challenging stains to clean. Unlike most liquids spills, you need to act fast regarding blood. Blood’s impressive clotting ability when exposed to air is why it’s such a tough stain to clean.

But don’t fret! Read on to find out how to deal with fresh or dried blood stains to make cleaning easier.

Fresh Blood Stains

A fresh blood stain is naturally much easier to deal with than blood stains that have dried up and settled, so it’s better to act as fast as you can once you spot a blood stain on your clothes.
You’ll only have to do a few steps to clean a fresh stain.

Here’s how you can remove fresh blood stains:

Cold Water

You don’t want to risk ruining your clothes, especially lightweight fabrics, by using unnecessary chemicals and methods. Try using the easiest way first, which is only cold water.

Here’s what to do:

• Find the area where the stain is. Make sure the back of the stain is facing the faucet.
• Hold the back of the stain and let the cold water run through. Do it as if flushing the stain out of the fabric.
• If the bloodstain is removed, you can stop here; otherwise, proceed to the next step.
• Soak the item in a basin of cold water until the stain dissolves.
• Wash the clothing as you usually would.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is one of the most common cleaning items used at home. It’s used in the kitchen, and the bathroom, and yes, you can also use it to get blood stains out of clothes when you mix it with water.

Here’s what to do:

• Make a paste by mixing one part baking soda and one part cold water.
• Apply the paste to the stain.
• Leave the mixture to sit for about half an hour or so, depending on the size of the stain.
• Rinse the clothing with cold water.
• Repeat steps 2 to 4 as necessary.
• Wash the item as you usually would.

White Vinegar

White vinegar has to be one of the most flexible items at home. It’s used for cooking, cleaning, disinfecting, and, you guessed it, removing blood stains from clothes.
Here’s what to do:

• Place the clothing in a basin. Make sure the stain is visible.
• Pour the vinegar into the stain.
• Leave it to sit for at least 5 minutes and up to 10 minutes.
• Dab the area with a sponge or a towel.
• Repeat steps 2 to 4 as necessary.
• Wash the clothing as you usually would.

Dried Blood

Sometimes bloodstains can go unnoticed; once you notice them, they have already settled on your clothes. Although they may be harder to eliminate, it’s not impossible to do so. Here’s how!

Tip: Before doing any of the methods below, run the stain through cold running water or pre-soak your bloodstained clothes in cold water to make the spot easier to remove.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen Peroxide has both medical and non-medical uses. Outside medicine, it can disinfect, clean, bleach, and remove blood from any surface, including clothes.

Here’s what to do:

• Test a small amount of hydrogen peroxide on a hidden clothing area to ensure it doesn’t cause discoloration.
• If there’s no discoloration, proceed to the next step. If there is, skip this method.
• Place the clothing in a basin, making sure the stain is visible.
• Pour the necessary amount of hydrogen peroxide on the stain, depending on its size.
• Leave it to sit for 10 minutes.
• Dab the area with a cloth or a sponge.
• Wash it with cold water.
• Repeat steps 3 to 7 as necessary.
• Wash the clothing as you usually do.

Enzymatic Stain Remover

Commercial stain removers are manufactured with enzymes that break down proteins. As we know, blood contains proteins, which an enzymatic stain remover can biodegrade.

Here’s how to use it:

• Run the stain through cold water to remove as much blood as possible.
• Place the clothing in a basin, making sure the stain is visible.
• Treat the area with the stain remover.
• Leave it to sit according to the instructions specified on the product.
• Wash the clothing as you usually do.
• Repeat steps 1 to 5 as necessary before drying the clothing.

Oxygenated Cleaner

This is also a commercial stain remover that utilizes oxygen. When the oxygen comes into contact with the bloodstain, a chemical reaction happens, altering the stain’s structure, making it easier to remove.

Here’s how to use it:

• Mix one scoop of the cleaner with one gallon of cold water, depending on the amount specified in the product.
• Submerge the clothes in the solution depending on what the product’s manual says. Some products recommend soaking the clothes for 6 hours.
• Check if the stain is still visible. If yes, let it soak longer.
• Wash the clothing as you usually would.

Conclusion

Were these methods helpful in salvaging your favorite clothes, uniform, or newly bought outfit? The next time you want to remember how to get blood stains out of clothes, you now have plenty of methods.

Remember, the faster you deal with blood stains, the easier it is to remove them. Indeed, it usually takes a lot of patience, but removing them can feel rewarding when you realize it isn’t impossible.