How to Remove Blood Stains

Blood is one of the most difficult substances to remove once it has stained a fabric, surface or laundry.

However, you can remove a blood stain removal with some help, usually with everyday items that you can find around the house.

The first step in removing blood stains is to identify the stained material.

The most common types of materials that can become blood-stained, with steps on how to remove blood from each, include:

Non-washable fibers such as acetate, burlap, fiberglass, rayon, rope, silk, triacetate, or wool
Washable fibers such as acrylic, fabric, cotton, linen, nylon, olefin, polyester, or spandex
Hard surfaces such as acrylic plastic, aluminum, asphalt, brass, bronze, ceramic glass/tile, chromium, copper, coral, cork, enamel, glass, gold, iron, ivory, jade, linoleum, opal, flat paint, gloss paint, pearls, pewter, platinum, plexiglass, polyurethane, porcelain, stainless steel, tin, vinyl clothing, vinyl tile, vinyl wallcovering, or zinc
Stone surfaces such as alabaster, bluestone, brick, concrete, flagstone, granite, limestone, marble, masonry tile, sandstone, slate or Terrazzo
Bamboo or cane
Carpet
Fur (natural or synthetic)
Grout
Leather or suede
Silver
Wallpaper
Wood

Non-washable Fibers

Follow these steps to remove blood stains from acetate, burlap, fiberglass, rayon, rope, silk, triacetate or wool:

Treat the stain as soon as possible, as set blood stains can be extremely difficult to remove.
Sponge (the method of using light strokes with a dampened pad working outward from the center of the stain) with cold water.
If the blood is still wet, this step should remove it. If any stain remains, apply a wet spotter and a few drops of ammonia (but do not use ammonia on silk and wool).
Cover with an absorbent pad dampened with the wet spotter and ammonia. Let it stand as long as any stain is being removed, changing the pad as it picks up the stain. Keep the stain and pad moist with the wet spotter and ammonia. Flush (the method of applying stain remover to loosen staining materials and residue from stain removers) thoroughly with cool water, making sure to remove all traces of ammonia.
Dry thoroughly.

Washable Fibers

Follow these steps to remove blood stains from acrylic, cotton, linen, nylon, olefin, polyester, spandex or similar fabrics:

You can usually remove fresh blood stains by a thorough laundering in cold water.
If any stain remains, soak it in a solution of 1 quart warm water, 1/2 teaspoon dishwashing or liquid laundry detergent, and 1 tablespoon ammonia for 15 minutes.
Tamp (the method of bringing a brush down with light strokes on stained durable fabrics and materials) or scrape (the method of using a scraping tool to gently lift off excess solid or caked-on stains), blotting occasionally with an absorbent pad.
Continue as long as the stain lifts. Rinse well with water, making sure to remove all traces of ammonia.
Then dry or launder.

Hard Surfaces

Follow these steps to remove blood stains from acrylic plastic, aluminum, asphalt, brass, bronze, ceramic glass/tile, chromium, copper, coral, cork, enamel, glass, gold, iron, ivory, jade, linoleum, opal, flat paint, gloss paint, pearls, pewter, platinum, plexiglass, polyurethane, porcelain, stainless steel, tin, vinyl clothing, vinyl tile, vinyl wallcovering, or zinc:

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

Stone Surfaces

Follow these steps to remove blood stains from alabaster or marble:

Wipe the stain with a sponge dipped in cold water.
If the stain remains, mix a poultice of water, powdered detergent and chlorine bleach. Apply it thickly to the stain and cover with a damp cloth to slow down drying.
When you have bleached out the stain, rinse thoroughly and dry.

Follow these steps to remove blood stains from bluestone, brick, concrete, flagstone, granite, limestone, masonry tile, sandstone, slate or terrazzo:

Try wiping the stain with a sponge dipped in cool water.
If any stain remains, wash or brush (the method of using a stiff-bristled brush to gently remove dried stains and spots) the stain with a solution of washing soda or detergent in warm water.
Rinse well and allow to dry.

Bamboo or Cane

Follow these steps to remove blood stains from bamboo or cane:

Wash with a cloth or brush dipped in warm soapy water to which you have added a few drops of ammonia.
Rinse with clear water and dry.

Carpet

Follow these steps to remove blood stains from synthetic carpet, wool carpet or foam rubber:

Mix 1 teaspoon of a mild, non-alkali detergent with 1/2 pint of lukewarm water.
Add a small amount to the stain and blot the liquid. Do not force the stain further into the fibers.
Continue blotting until you can't remove the stain any longer.
If stain remains, add 1 tablespoon ammonia to 1 cup water (do not use on wool), sponge stain and blot liquid.
Continue until you cannot remove the stain.
Place an absorbent pad over the damp area and weigh it down.
When you cannot draw out more liquid, remove the pad and allow it to air-dry thoroughly.

Fur

For fur, follow these steps:

Blot up the excess.
Wring a cloth in the suds of a mild detergent to which you have added a few drops of ammonia.
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.

Grout

Follow these steps to remove blood stains from grout:

Wipe the stain with a sponge dipped in cool water.
If any remains, dip a wet toothbrush into a little baking soda or powdered cleanser and gently scrub the grout.
Rinse thoroughly and dry.

Leather or Suede

Follow these steps to remove blood stains from leather or suede:

Mix a solution of mild soap in lukewarm 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.

Silver

To remove blood stains from silver:

Wash silver in hot sudsy water.
Rinse in hot water and wipe dry immediately with a soft cloth to prevent tarnish.

Wallpaper

Blood can permanently stain wallpaper, but here are a few steps you can try:

Dip a cloth in cool water, wringing until damp and gently sponging the area. Take care not to spread the stain.
Overlap the strokes slightly to prevent streaking.
Gently pat dry.

Wood

Follow these steps to remove blood stains from wood:

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