How to Get Blood out of Clothes: A Comprehensive Guide

Accidents happen, and sometimes that means getting blood on your clothes. Whether you are a nurse, a doctor, or just someone who happens to have an occasional bloody nose, it’s essential to know how to get blood out of clothing. Not only is it unsightly, but it can also be challenging to remove if you don’t know the proper techniques. So, how do you remove blood from clothing?

Factors to Consider When Removing Blood from Clothing

When you’ve got a bloody mess on your clothing, it can be tempting to just throw it in the washing machine and hope for the best. However, blood is a protein-based substance, which can become bonded to fabric fibers if it’s not treated correctly. As a result, you may find that stain won’t come out, no matter how often you run it through the wash.

So, what factors should you consider when removing blood from clothing?

Type of fabric

Depending on the fabric your clothing is made from, there are different ways to remove the blood. For example, if you have blood on a cotton shirt, you can soak it in cold water for 15-20 minutes before washing it in your regular laundry cycle. Blood can cause permanent stains on these delicate fabrics, so it’s essential to treat them carefully.

The amount of blood

If it’s a small spot, you might be able to treat it with cold water and some detergent. But if the stain is more extensive or set in, you’ll probably need to use something more heavy-duty, like hydrogen peroxide or ammonia. You’ll also want to act quickly-the longer blood stays on the fabric, the harder it will be to remove.

The age of the blood stain

If the blood has been on the fabric for a while, it will be more challenging to remove. This is because the blood has had time to set in and become more firmly attached to the fabric fibers. In addition, older stains are more likely to be dried and crusted, making them even more challenging to remove.

However, there are some methods you can use to try and remove older blood stains, such as soaking the stained area in cold water or using an enzyme-based laundry cleaner. Finding the best method for you may take trial and error, but with some patience, you should be able to remove most old blood stains.

The color of the fabric

Some colors are more susceptible to staining than others. For example, white fabrics are very good at showing stains, so you’ll need to be extra careful when treating them. On the other hand, dark colors are much better at hiding stains, so you might have a little more leeway when it comes to treatment.

The type of blood

Not all blood is the same. Believe it or not, that makes a difference when trying to remove stains. Human blood is easier to remove than animal blood because human blood contains a protein called hemoglobin, which breaks down easily in water. On the other hand, animal blood contains a protein called myoglobin, which is much more resistant to water. As a result, you’ll need to use a stronger cleaning solution if you’re trying to remove animal blood from clothing.

Related: How to get Stains Out of White Clothes

How to Get New Blood Stains Out of Clothing

Run thin fabrics in cold water

If the bloodstained clothing is made of lightweight fabric like silk or linen, soak it in cold running water – the colder the water, the better. Avoid using hot water, which can cause the blood to become embedded in the fabric, and to avoid mineral deposits in the fabric, use distilled water whenever possible.

Take extra care not to damage the fibers if the bloodstained clothing is made of a delicate fabric, such as wool or cashmere. Rubbing the stain can cause the fibers to break down. Instead, gently blot the stain with a clean, white cloth while holding the garment under cold running water.

Use hydrogen peroxide

If the bloodstain is still visible after rinsing, you can try treating it with a hydrogen peroxide solution. Hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleaching agent that can help to remove blood stains.A hydrogen peroxide solution is created by mixing one part hydrogen peroxide with two parts water. After applying the solution to the bloodstain, let it sit for a few minutes. Rinse the clothing in cold water after that.

You can also try lemon juice. Its acidic properties can help to break down the blood stain. Mix one part lemon juice with two parts water, apply the solution to the bloodstained area and allow it to sit for a few minutes. Then, rinse the garment under cold water

Grab an ice cube

The blood will become more firm due to the ice’s cold temperature, making removal simpler. Hold the ice cube against the bloodstained area for a few minutes while it is covered in fresh, white cloth. The dried blood can then be scraped off using a dull knife or credit card. Finally, run cold water over the garment to rinse it.

You can also place the item in the freezer for a short time if you don’t have an ice cube on hand.

Use aspirin or baking soda

If the bloodstain is still visible, you can try using aspirin or baking soda to remove it. Aspirin and baking soda are both mild alkalis that can help to break down the blood stain.

To use aspirin, dissolve four tablets in two cups of water. After applying the solution to the bloodstain, let it sit for a few minutes. Rinse the clothing in cold water after that. Similarly, to use baking soda, make a paste by combining baking soda and water in equal parts. The paste should be applied to the bloodstain and left to sit for a few minutes. Rinse the clothing in cold water after that.

If you don’t have aspirin or baking soda, you can also try:

• Dish soap: The dish soap’s surfactants can help break down the blood stain. Mix one part dish soap with two parts water. Apply the solution to the bloodstained area, allow it to sit for a few minutes, and then rinse the garment under cold water.
• Saliva: The saliva enzymes can help break down the blood stain. Wet a clean, white cloth with your saliva and blot the bloodstained area. Allow the saliva to sit on the stain for a few minutes before rinsing the garment under cold water.
• Vinegar or white wine: The acidic properties can help to break down the blood stain. Mix one part vinegar or white wine with two parts water, apply the solution to the bloodstained area, allow it to sit for a few minutes, and then rinse the garment under cold water.

Up your laundry game with blood-removal products

There are many goods available on the market that are made specifically to get rid of blood stains. Observe the instructions on the packaging. For most products, soaking the item in the solution for a few minutes before washing it is necessary.

How to Get Dried Blood Stains Out of Clothing

Rub salt on the stain

Have you ever noticed how a cut on your finger stops bleeding almost immediately when you add salt? That’s because salt helps to constrict the blood vessels and dry out the blood. The same process can be used to remove dried blood stains from clothing. Simply rub salt into the stain and then wash the clothing as usual. If the stain is really difficult to remove, you might have to repeat this process several times.

You can also use a saline solution if you don’t have salt on hand. Saline solutions are typically used to clean contact lenses and wounds but can also remove dried blood stains from clothing. After soaking the affected area of the clothing in the solution, wash the item as usual.

Soak repeatedly

If the preceding strategies don’t seem to be working, try soaking the clothing in cold water for at least 30 minutes. Then soak it again. Spend another 30 minutes soaking the clothing in a solution of cold water and vinegar if the blood stain is still present. You might also try giving the clothing a 30-minute soak mixed with hydrogen peroxide in cold water.

Look for products that contain proteases

These enzymes are designed to break down protein-based stains. You can find these products at most stores that sell laundry detergent. Simply follow the instructions on the package and soak the clothing in the solution for the recommended amount of time before washing as usual.

Try meat tenderizer

Simply make a paste with water and meat tenderizer, then apply it to the stain. Allow it to sit for approximately 30 minutes before washing the garment. This method may be most effective on fresh stains.

How to Remove Blood From Jeans

If you have a fresh blood stain:

• Rinse it with cold water. This will help remove as much fresh blood as possible and prevent it from settling in.
• Pretreat the area with a laundry pretreatment product or stain remover. Be sure to follow the instructions on the product to ensure that it is used correctly.
• Once the pretreatment has had a chance to work, you can wash the item of clothing as usual. Check the stain before putting the item in the dryer, as it may need to be treated again if it is still visible.

When dealing with a dried blood stain, you’ll need to soak the area in cold water before pretreating it. You may also need to scrub the area gently with a soft brush to loosen the dried blood before pretreating and washing.

Is the stain still sticking around? Try ammonia. Ammonia is a powerful cleaning agent that can break down tough stains. However, it should be used cautiously as it can damage some fabrics. Test a small hidden area of the fabric before using ammonia on the entire stain.

How to Remove Blood from Sheets and Bedding

• Treat them. If you have fresh blood stains, you must treat them before putting your sheets in the washing machine. Otherwise, the heat from the wash cycle will cause the stains to set, making them much harder to remove. To treat fresh blood stains on sheets or bedding, start by soaking up as much excess blood as possible with a clean, dry towel. Then, apply a pretreatment solution to the stains and let them sit for about five minutes before laundering as usual.
• If the stains are particularly stubborn, you may need to soak the sheets in cold water for 30 minutes before pretreating and washing. This will give the pretreatment solution time to work magic and break down the blood stains.
• Once the sheets are clean, you can dry them in the dryer or hang them up to air dry. If you hang them up to dry, ensure they’re completely dry before putting them back on the bed – otherwise, you risk setting the stains.

Conclusion

To sum it up, blood is a tough stain to remove. But with the right tools and techniques, your clothes look good as new. Treat the stain as soon as possible for the best results, and always test any cleaning solutions on an inconspicuous area of the fabric first. With a little care and effort, you can keep your clothes looking their best.