How To Get Blood Out Of Clothes (9 Fail-Safe Methods)

Seeing red on your favorite white shirt triggers immediate panic. Whether it’s from a scraped knee, a nosebleed, or a period leak, blood stains look daunting.

But don’t toss that garment in the trash just yet.

Getting blood out of clothes is actually easier than you think. You just need to act fast, use cold water, and avoid the heat at all costs.

Key Takeaways

• Act fast: Treat fresh blood immediately by flushing it with cold water from the back of the fabric to push the stain out.
• Never use hot water: Heat cooks the protein in the blood into the fabric fibers, setting the stain permanently. Always use cold water.
• Rehydrate dried stains: Soak dried blood in cool water for at least an hour before scrubbing with enzymatic cleaners or heavy-duty detergent.
• Household helpers work: Common items like hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar, baking soda, and salt are effective removers for various fabrics.

In This Article

• Fresh Blood Stain Removal
• Dried Blood Stain Removal
• Blood Stains on Delicate Fabrics
• Best Blood Stain Removers
• Tips
• FAQs
• Stain-Free Clothing

How to Get Fresh Blood out of Clothes

Speed is your best friend here. If the blood is fresh, you have a near-perfect chance of saving the clothes. The golden rule? Keep it cold.

What You Need

• Cold water.
• Bar soap or liquid detergent.
• Hydrogen peroxide.
• Clean cloth or sponge.

Step by Step Instructions

1. Flush immediately: Take the garment to the sink. Run cold water through the fabric from the back of the stain. This pushes the blood out of the fibers rather than deeper into them.
2. Spot treat: Apply bar soap, liquid laundry detergent, or a little hydrogen peroxide (on whites) directly to the spot.
3. Scrub gently: Rub the fabric against itself or use a sponge to work the cleaner in.
4. Rinse and check: Rinse with cold water. If the stain is gone, wash the item in the machine on a cold cycle.
5. Air dry only: Do not put the item in the dryer until you are 100% sure the stain is gone. Heat sets blood instantly.

How to Get Dried Blood out of Clothes

Missed the stain when it happened? No worries. Dried blood is stubborn because the proteins have clotted and bonded to the fabric, but we can break that bond with patience and enzymes.

What You Need

• Large basin or sink.
• Heavy-duty laundry detergent.
• Enzymatic cleaner.
• Soft-bristled brush.

Step by Step Instructions

1. Soak it: Fill a basin with cold water and soak the stained garment for at least one hour. This rehydrates the blood effectively.
2. Apply cleaner: Lift the item out and rub an enzymatic cleaner or heavy-duty detergent into the spot. Enzymes specifically target proteins like blood.
3. Scrub: Use a soft brush or rub the fabric together to loosen the particles.
4. Rinse: Rinse with cool water. If the stain persists, repeat the soaking process.
5. Wash: Launder as usual in cold water. Again, skip the dryer and air dry the item to ensure the mark is truly gone.

How to Get Blood Stains out of Delicate Fabrics

Rough scrubbing ruins fibers like silk and wool. These materials need a gentle touch and specific chemistry to lift stains without causing damage.

Silk

Silk is temperamental. Avoid harsh chemicals and stick to this gentle method.

1. Mix one cup (250 ml) of cold water with a teaspoon of salt until dissolved.
2. Put this mixture in a spray bottle and mist the stain lightly.
3. Work the solution in gently with a clean white cloth. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
4. Rinse thoroughly with cold water. Wash the silk item according to the care label, usually hand wash only.

Go Easy

Avoid enzymatic cleaners on silk or wool. These cleaners are designed to break down proteins, and since silk and wool are natural protein fibers, the cleaner can actually eat away at the fabric.

Wool

Wool fibers are absorbent, so you want to lift the stain out, not rub it in.

1. Dab a small amount of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide onto the stain.
2. Gently massage it with a clean cloth. Let it react for five minutes.
3. Rinse with cold water immediately to stop the chemical reaction.
4. Repeat if necessary, then wash at the recommended temperature (usually cold/delicate).

What Are Good Blood Stain Removers?

If detergent isn’t cutting it, check your pantry or medicine cabinet. Several household staples double as powerful stain fighters.

Hydrogen Peroxide

This is the heavy hitter for white or light-colored cottons. It bleaches organic stains effectively (1). Just be careful with dark colors, as it can cause fading.

1. Test a hidden spot first to check for colorfastness.
2. Apply 3 percent hydrogen peroxide directly to the stain. You’ll see it bubble; that means it’s working.
3. Blot with a clean cloth.
4. Rinse with cold water and wash.

Vinegar

Distilled white vinegar is acidic, which helps dissolve mineral and organic deposits. It’s safer for colors than peroxide.

1. Pour undiluted white vinegar onto the spot.
2. Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Blot the area with a towel to lift the stain.
4. Wash immediately to remove the vinegar smell.

Toothpaste

Standard white toothpaste (not gel) often contains baking soda and mild abrasives. It works well on sturdy fabrics like denim or canvas.

1. Squeeze a pea-sized amount onto the stain.
2. Let it dry completely.
3. Rinse with cold water and scrub gently to remove the residue.
4. Launder the item with liquid detergent.

Rubbing Alcohol

Isopropyl alcohol is a great solvent that breaks down the stain structure. It’s particularly useful if the blood has dried.

1. Place a paper towel inside the garment, directly under the stain.
2. Dab alcohol onto the stain with a clean cloth.
3. Blot firmly. The blood should transfer from the clothes onto the paper towel underneath.
4. Rinse and wash.

Baking Soda and Cornstarch

These powders are highly absorbent. They are great for pulling fresh liquid out of fabric before it sets (2).

1. Mix baking soda or cornstarch with a little cold water to make a thick paste.
2. Smear the paste over the stain completely.
3. Leave it, preferably in the sun, until it is totally dry.
4. Brush off the crusty residue. The stain should lift away with the powder.

OxiClean

For a commercial solution, OxiClean is oxygen-based bleach. It is safe for most colors and incredibly effective on organic stains.

1. Dissolve the powder in cool water according to the package.
2. Submerge the stained item.
3. Soak for one to six hours. The oxygen bubbles will lift the stain gently.
4. Wash as normal.

Other Options

Stuck without supplies? Try these unconventional methods.

1. Meat Tenderizer: This contains enzymes (bromelain or papain) that break down meat proteins. Since blood is a protein, it works wonders. Mix unseasoned powder with water to make a paste and apply it to the stain.
2. Lemon Juice: The citric acid acts as a natural bleach. It works best on light colors. Squeeze, let sit, and rinse.
3. Saliva: It sounds gross, but it works on your own blood. Your saliva contains amylase, an enzyme that breaks down starches and proteins. Spit on a small, fresh spot and rub it out.
4. Cola: The carbonic acid in soda can help break down blood. Soak the spot in soda (clear soda is safer for colors), then wash.

Tips to Keep in Mind

Before you start scrubbing, review these rules to prevent accidental damage.

• Check the label: The care symbols tell you if a fabric can handle bleaching agents or vigorous rubbing.
• Test first: Apply your chosen cleaner to a hidden seam or hem. If the color bleeds or the fabric warps, try a different method.
• Call the pros: If the item is dry clean only or an expensive heirloom, don’t risk it. Point out the stain to your dry cleaner; they have specialized chemicals for this.
• Cold is king: We cannot stress this enough. Hot water cooks the protein in hemoglobin, bonding it to the fibers. Once that happens, the stain is usually permanent.

FAQs

Do Blood Stains Fade Over Time?

Blood stains will fade slightly and turn brown over time as the hemoglobin oxidizes (reacts with air). However, they will not disappear completely without treatment and will become much harder to remove the longer they sit.

Can Hand Sanitizer Remove Blood Stains?

Yes, hand sanitizer can remove blood stains because it has a high alcohol concentration. Squeeze it onto the spot, rub it with a toothbrush or cloth, and rinse. This is a great on-the-go hack.

Does Hairspray Get Blood Out of Clothes?

Hairspray can work, but only if it contains alcohol. Many modern hairsprays are alcohol-free, which renders them ineffective for stains. Check the ingredients list first.

Does Hydrogen Peroxide Stain Clothes?

Hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleaching agent. It generally does not stain clothes, but it can bleach out the dye in dark or vibrant fabrics, leaving a white spot. Always test it on an inconspicuous area first.

Why Should I Use Cold Water Instead of Hot?

Blood contains hemoglobin, a protein. When exposed to heat, proteins coagulate and bind tightly to fabric fibers (similar to how an egg hardens when cooked). Cold water keeps the protein loose so it can be washed away.

Stain-Free Clothing

Accidents happen, but they don’t have to ruin your wardrobe. Whether you catch it fresh or find it dried days later, you now have the tools to handle it.

From the trusty cold water flush to the enzyme power of spit or meat tenderizer, there is always a way to salvage your clothes. Just remember: patience, cold water, and no dryer until that spot is history.

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