A website from UGA Cooperative Extension

Textiles

Remove Stains From Blood

Apparel/Fabric

Treat immediately. Stains set by heat will be difficult to remove.

  1. Rinse fresh stains in cold running water and rub with bar soap or liquid detergent. Rinse again and repeat. To old and stubborn stains, apply a few drops of ammonia and wash again. Use a bleach if necessary.
  2. Soak in cool water 30 minutes or longer. If stain remains, soak 30 minutes or longer in lukewarm water with enzyme pre-soak. Rinse. Rub detergent into any remaining stain. Rinse. If stain still remains, put a few drops of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide on stain for 1-3 minutes. Rinse thoroughly. Launder.

CAUTIONS:

  • Always read the care label before trying any stain removal method. Do not use any products or procedures prohibited by the care label.
  • Be careful any time a commercial product or combination of cleaning supplies are used. HOMECARE 1-4
  • Always pretest each cleaning agent on an inconspicuous area first to determine colorfastness.
  • Be sure to store and dispose of products/cans/containers as recommended. Keep out of reach of children.

Carpet

Fur

Blot up excess blood. Wring a cloth in the suds of a mild detergent to which a few drops of ammonia havebeen added. Rub with the nap, taking care not to over-wet the pelt or backing. To rinse, dip a cloth in cool water, wring almost dry and stroke with the nap. Air dry away from heat.

Synthetic Fibers

  1. Mix 1 teaspoon of a mild, non-alkali detergent with 1/2 pint of cool water. Add a small amount to the stain and blot the liquid. Do not force the stains further into the fiber. Continue blotting until no more stain is removed.
  2. If stain remains, add 1 tablespoon ammonia to 1/2 cup water and sponge stain. Blot. Continue until no more stain is removed. Place an absorbent pad over the damp area and weight it down. When no more liquid is drawn out, remove the pad and allow it to air dry thoroughly.

CAUTIONS:

  • Always pretest each cleaning agent on an inconspicuous area first to determine colorfastness.
  • Ammonia damages silk and wool. If you must use on these fibers, dilute with equal amounts of water and use sparingly.

Wool

Mix 1 teaspoon of a mild, non-alkali detergent with 1/2 pint of cool water. Add a small amount to the stain and blot the liquid. Do not force the stains further into the fiber. Continue blotting until no more stain is removed.

CAUTION:

Always pretest each cleaning agent on an inconspicuous area first to determine colorfastness.

Hard Surface Floors

Brick, Concrete, Stone/masonry, Tile

  1. Wipe up the stain with a sponge dipped in cool water.
  2. If any stain remains, wash or brush stain with a solution of laundry detergent or Washing (sal) Soda in warm water. Rinse well and allow to dry.

CAUTIONS:

  • Washing Soda is highly toxic. Do not allow to touch skin. Wear rubber gloves.
  • Be careful any time a commercial product or combination of cleaning supplies are used.
  • Be sure to store and dispose of products/cans!containers as recommended. Keep out of reach of children.
  • When using caustic, toxic, aromatic or flammable cleaning solutions, be certain to provide for adequate ventilation.

Marble

  1. Wipe stain with a sponge dipped in cold water.
  2. If stain remains, mix a poultice (paste) of water, powdered detergent and hydrogen peroxide bleach. Apply the paste thickly to the stain and cover with a damp cloth to retard drying. When the stain has been bleached out, rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean cloth.

CAUTIONS:

  • Always pretest each cleaning agent on an inconspicuous area first to determine colorfastness.
  • When using caustic, toxic, aromatic or flammable cleaning solutions, be certain to provide for adequate ventilation. Do not have an open flame near flammable cleaning solutions. Wear rubber gloves.

Resilient

  1. Wipe up stain with a sponge or cloth dipped in cool water or warm sudsy water. Dry with a clean cloth.
  2. If stain persists, mix 1 quart water and 1/2 cup chlorine bleach. Sponge or blot stain until gone. Rinse with clear water. Dry with a clean cloth.

CAUTION:

Be careful any time a commercial product or combination of cleaning supplies are used.

Wood

Wipe the stain with a cloth dipped in cool water. Wipe dry immediately. Polish or wax as usual.

Furniture

Aluminum, Bamboo, Cane

Wipe stain with a sponge or cloth dipped in cool water or warm sudsy water. Dry with a clean cloth.

Upholstered Furniture

Fiberglass

  1. If the blood stain is still wet, sponge or blot with cold water. This should remove it.
  2. If any stain remains, apply a “Wet Spotter” (1 part glycerin, 1 part white dishwashing detergent, 8 parts cold water and several drops of ammonia). Cover the stain with an absorbent pad dampened with the “Wet Spotter” solution. Let it remain until all stain is removed, changing the absorbent pad as it picks up stain. Keep the stain and pad moist with the solution. Flush and blot thoroughly with cool water, making sure to remove all traces of the ammonia.

CAUTIONS:

  • Always pretest each cleaning agent on an inconspicuous area first to determine colorfastness.
  • Always use cool water when removing blood stains.
  • Always treat blood stains as soon as possible. Set blood stains can be extremely difficult to remove.

Fur

Blot up excess blood. Wring a cloth in the suds of a mild detergent to which a few drops of ammonia have been added. Rub with the nap, taking care not to over-wet the pelt or backing. To rinse, dip a cloth in cool water, wring almost dry and stroke with the nap. Air dry away from heat.

CAUTIONS:

  • Always pretest each cleaning agent on an inconspicuous area first to determine colorfastness.
  • Always use cool water when removing blood stains.
  • Always treat blood stains as soon as possible. Set blood stains can be extremely difficult to remove.

Leather

Mix a solution of mild soap in cool water. Swish to create a great volume of suds. Apply only the foam with a sponge and gently rub the stained area, taking care not to spread the stain. Wipe dry with a clean, soft cloth. You may follow with saddle soap to condition the leather.

Natural Fibers

If the blood stain is still wet, sponge or blot the stain with cold water. This should remove it.

A) If the fabric is cotton or linen:

  1. Mix a solution of 1 quart cool water, 1/2 teaspoon dishwashing detergent or liquid laundry detergent and 1 tablespoon ammonia. Blot stain with a clean, white absorbent pad. Continue, changing the absorbent pad as it picks up stain. Rinse with clear water, blotting to make sure all traces of the ammonia are removed.
  2. Spray the stain lightly with a laundry pre-soak product. Cover the stain with an absorbent pad slightly dampened with the pre-wash solution. Let it remain for 10-15 minutes. Sponge with clear water. Blot thoroughly and allow to dry quickly.

B) If fabric is silk:

Apply a “Wet Spotter” (1 part glycerin, 1 part white dishwashing detergent and 8 parts cold water). Cover stain with an absorbent pad dampened with the “Wet Spotter” solution. Let it remain until all stain is removed, changing the absorbent pad as it picks up stain. Keep the stain and pad moist with the solution. Flush or blot thoroughly with cool water, making sure to remove all traces of the solution.

CAUTIONS:

  • Always pretest each cleaning agent on an inconspicuous area first to determine colorfastness.
  • Overwetting with water may cause the finish on the upholstery fabric to migrate and thus I eave a circle in the treated area.
  • Ammonia damages silk and wool. If you must use on these fibers, dilute with equal amounts of water and use sparingly.

Synthetic Fibers

If any stain remains, apply a “Wet Spotter” (1 part glycerin, 1 part white dishwashing detergent, 8 parts cold water and several drops of ammonia). Cover the stain with an absorbent pad dampened with the “Wet Spotter” solution. Let it remain until all stain is removed, changing the absorbent pad as it picks up stain. Keep the stain and pad moist with the solution. Flush and blot thoroughly with cool water, making sure to remove all traces of the ammonia.

CAUTIONS:

  • Always pretest each cleaning agent on an inconspicuous area first to determine colorfastness.
  • Overwetting with water may cause the finish on the upholstery fabric to migrate and thus leave a circle in the treated area.
  • Always use cool water when removing blood stains.
  • Always treat blood stains as soon as possible. Set blood stains can be extremely difficult to remove.

Wool

  1. If the blood stain is still wet, sponge or blot the stain with cold water. This should remove it.
  2. If any stain remains, apply a “Wet Spotter” (1 part glycerin, 1 part white dishwashing detergent, 8 parts cold water). Cover the stain with an absorbent pad dampened with the “Wet Spotter” solution. Let it remain until all stain is removed, changing the absorbent pad as it picks up stain. Keep the stain and pad moist with the solution. Flush and blot thoroughly with cool water, making sure to remove all traces of the solution.

CAUTIONS:

  • Always pretest each cleaning agent on an inconspicuous area first to determine colorfastness.
  • Overwetting with water may cause the finish on the upholstery fabric to migrate and thus leave a circle in the treated area.
  • Always use cool water when removing blood stains.
  • Always treat blood stains as soon as possible. Set blood stains can be extremely difficult to remove.

Walls And Ceilings

Paper (Regular Untreated)

Blood can permanently stain wallpaper. Dip a cloth in cool water, wring out until just damp, and gently sponge the area, taking care not to spread the stain. Overlap the strokes slightly to prevent streaking. Gently pat dry.

Wood, Paneling

Wipe the stain with a cloth dipped in cool water. Wipe dry immediately and polish or wax as usual.

Metals

Aluminum, Brass, Brass Plate, Bronze, Copper, Cast/wrought Iron, Chromium, Gold, Pewter, Magnesium, Nickel, Stainless Steel, Sterling Silver, Silver Paste, Tin

Wipe up stain with a sponge or cloth dipped in cool water or warm sudsy water. Dry with a clean cloth.

Other/interior

Acrylic Plastic, Ceramic Glass, Corelle, Crystal, Enamel, Glass, Ivory, Jade, Lacquer, Melamine, Mirror, Mylar, Plastic, Plastic, Silverstone, Teflon

Wipe up stain with a sponge or cloth dipped in cool water or warm sudsy water. Dry with a clean cloth.

Alabaster

  1. Wipe stain with a sponge dipped in cold water.
  2. If stain remains, mix a poultice (paste) of water, powdered laundry detergent and chlorine bleach. Apply the paste thickly to the stain and cover with a damp cloth to retard drying. When the stain has been bleached out, rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean cloth.

Grout

  1. Wipe the stain with a sponge dipped in cool water.
  2. If any stain remains, dip a wet toothbrush into a little baking soda or powdered cleanser and carefully scrub the grout. Rinse thoroughly and dry.
  3. If stain remains, apply a chlorine bleach. Gently scrub the grout. Rinse thoroughly and dry.

Exterior Surfaces

Porches, Decks, Patios: Brick, Concrete, Cement, Masonry

  1. Wipe up the stain with a sponge dipped in cool water.
  2. If any stain remains, wash or brush stain with a solution of laundry detergent or Washing (sal) Soda in warm water. Rinse well and allow to dry.

CAUTIONS:

  • Washing Soda is highly toxic. Follow directions and cautions found on label. Do not allow it to touch skin. Wear rubber gloves.
  • Be careful any time a commercial product or combination of cleaning supplies are used.
  • Be sure to store and dispose of products/cans/containers as recommended. Keep out of reach of children.

Wood

Wipe the stain with a cloth dipped in cool water. Wipe dry immediately.