Cuts, bleeding noses, periods… household fabrics can quickly become stained with blood. Rest assured! There are simple and effective solutions to remove these stains, whether fresh or already dry, on your textiles.
Whether on a sofa, a sheet or a carpet, you must act quickly to prevent blood from penetrating deep into the fibers. Your key reflex: use cold water. Above all, don’t use hot water, which will set the stain. And remember to clean from the edges towards the center to prevent the stain from spreading.
You don’t need to buy a dedicated blood stain remover to get rid of stains on your laundry. Many natural products and grandmother’s tips can help you, effectively and at a lower cost. Among the products to use depending on the fabric: THE baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, white vinegar or even Marseille soap…
The solution for cotton: in two parts of water, add a dose of baking soda – miracle product from the cupboard – and apply the mixture to the sheet. Wait a few minutes and rub very gently. Once the stain is gone, wash the dirty area with soapy water and put it in the washing machine.
The solution for delicate laundry (like linen or satin) : opt for 70° alcohol or hydrogen peroxide – diluted in cold water. Rinse and repeat the operation until the stain fades. Finish with a trip to the washing machine.
Unlike the sheet, the duvet is less easy to clean. To be sure to remove all the blood – including from the filling – choose ammonia, diluted in 50% water. Beware of toxic fumes! Ventilate your interior and wear a mask when using it.
Lemon juice or liquid black soap also works. Apply to the stain, leave to act, rub gently with a damp cloth. Finally, blot off the excess. If you can, machine wash your duvet for a flawless result.
Cleaning a Blood Stain on a Cotton or Leather Sofa
Arm yourself with the second miracle product in your closet: the white vinegar ! Dilute 50% vinegar with 50% water and dab the stain with a cloth then rinse and let dry.
If your sofa cover is removable: nothing could be simpler! Soak the cover in salt water or in a famous American soda (yes yes, you read correctly!). Leave to act, rub and machine wash.
Cleaning a blood stain on a fragile sofa (suede or wool for example)
Mix a littlewater with flour and place the paste obtained on the blood stain. Leave to dry for at least 1 hour. Remove the crust formed and gently brush the textile.
Two techniques have proven their effectiveness:
- First, gently rub the blood stain with a ice cube.
- The second, apply the solution effervescent aspirin + water. It will dislodge blood particles from the fibers of the mattress.
For each method, finish with Marseille soap and rinse thoroughly.
If there is one place where we fear a stain, it is the floor; especially on a rug or carpet. If this happens, pour a mixture of cold water + coarse salt. Leave on until the stain is absorbed and rinse with plenty of water on and around the stain to limit the risk of marks.
There bloodstain is old and had time to dry? L’ammonia or hydrogen peroxide will be your best chance of removing the embedded blood stain. Place a clean cloth under the stain and dab it with a clean cloth soaked in product on the other side. The fabric underneath will absorb moisture, change it when it is no longer clean. Blot the stain then wipe with a damp cloth to stop the action of the product.
If you did not spot the blood stain before washing it, not only may it not have disappeared, but it may also become even more embedded in the fabric. In this case, you will need to wet the fabric then rub the stain with soda crystals if the linen is white. For a more delicate fabric, we prefer the technique ofammoniaas for a stain of dried blood.
