How to Remove Blood Stains From Any Material

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

However, stain removal can be accomplished with some help, usually with everyday items that can be found around the house.

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

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

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, lron, Ivory, Jade, Linoleum, Opal, Paint/Flat, Paint/Gloss, Pearls, Pewter, Platinum, Plexiglas, 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 Fabrics

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) 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 the ammonia.
Dry thoroughly.

Washable Fabrics

Follow these steps to remove blood stains from Acrylic, Fabric, Cotton, Linen, Nylon, Olefin, Polyester, or Spandex:

Fresh blood stains can usually be removed 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 any stain is being removed. Rinse well with water, making sure to remove all traces of the 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, lron, Ivory, Jade, Linoleum, Opal, Paint/Flat, Paint/Gloss, Pearls, Pewter, Platinum, Plexiglas, Polyurethane, Porcelain, Stainless Steel, Tin, Vinyl Clothing, Vinyl Tile, Vinyl Wallcovering, or Zinc:

Wipe up 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 stain with a sponge dipped in cold water.
If 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 retard drying.
When the stain has been bleached out, 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 up 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) stain with a solution of washing soda or detergent in warm water.
Rinse well and allow to dry.

Bamboo

Follow these steps to remove blood stains from Bamboo or Cane:

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

Carpet

Mix 1 teaspoon of a mild, non-alkali detergent with 1/2 pint 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 no more stain is removed.
If stain remains, add 1 tablespoon ammonia to 1 cup water (do not use on wool), sponge stain, and blot liquid.
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.

Fur

Blot up excess.
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.

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

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

Wood

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