How to remove bloodstains: 10 simple and effective methods

Everyone has gone through this or will go through it: you just put on your brand new shirt and, for whatever reason, it suddenly has a bloodstain on it.

Whether it’s because you cut yourself in the kitchen or because the boy just shave, the fact is that the stain is there and you need to act fast.

In fact, this is one of the principles of removing bloodstains: the sooner you act, the better.

Another principle of this task is to avoid heat: hot water, dryer and iron are your enemies until the stain is completely gone. That’s because blood is rich in proteins, and they’ll stick to the tissue even more if you heat them up.

If you’re faced with a bloodstain and don’t know how to remove it, check out our list of tips below:

1. White vinegar

This tip is useful for bloodstains that have not yet dried. The trick is simple: apply a little white vinegar to the stain, wait 5 to 10 minutes and rub it with a cloth.

2. Hydrogen peroxide

Apply volume 10 hydrogen peroxide on the stain (preferably if it has not yet dried), rinse with running water and wash the piece as usual. Attention: the hydrogen peroxide can discolor the fabrics.

3. Coca-Cola

Have you stained your clothes with blood, are you out and about and don’t have any cleaning supplies on hand? Then try applying some Coke to the stain. Preferably, soak the stain in the soda overnight for the best result.

4. Corn starch

Make a paste of cornstarch and cold water, apply to the stain and rub in gently. Let the piece dry in a sunny place. Once it is dry, remove the starch residue. If the stain is not completely gone, repeat the procedure.

5. Talc

Make a paste of water and talcum powder and apply to the blood stain. When it dries, remove the residue and check if the stain is gone. Repeat the procedure if necessary.

6. Salt water

As soon as possible, dip the stained part into a container of cold salted water. Soak for 3 to 4 hours, rub the stain with liquid detergent and wash as normal.

7. Blood stains on upholstery

To remove blood stains from the sofa or car seat, use a solution of water and detergent. Dip a cloth in this solution and rub the stain until it is absorbed. Then, pass a cloth with only water to remove the detergent.

8. Blood stains on wood

Wipe the stain with a cloth soaked in cold water. Wait for it to dry and apply wood wax.

9. How to wash fresh bloodstains

If you’ve tried to remove bloodstains with an alternative product, but haven’t had good results, it’s time to resort to a special wash.

The first step is to rinse the stained garment with ice water, rubbing the fabric to ensure the water penetrates the fibers. If you can’t do the entire procedure at once, soak the garment in cold water.

Then, wash the garment using an oxygen-based stain remover and let it dry naturally, preferably in the sun, without using the clothes dryer. Only after the piece is dry can you be sure that the stain is really gone.

10. How to wash dried bloodstains

Your chances of being able to remove a bloodstain are higher when it’s still fresh, but if that’s not possible and it’s already dried, you can try this method.

The first step is to wet the stain with cold water, gently shaking the fabric so that the water penetrates its fibers. Tip: don’t rub the stain, as the blood is dry, they can break and tear your garment.

After that, soak the garment for a few hours in a mixture of water and an oxygen-based cleaner. Finally, wash your garment normally and let it air dry. You may need to repeat the washing step until the stain is completely gone.