Dried blood stains on your fabric can still be removed, although it will be much more difficult if the stain has been washed in hot water or put through the dryer. There are many methods for trying this out, from using available kitchen utensils or washers, to more robust products. Be especially careful when trying to remove stains from silk, wool, or other delicate materials.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Scrubbing with Soap and Water
Step 1. Use this simple method especially for linen and cotton
This method does not require special equipment, but requires a large amount of prolonged scrubbing. It is especially suitable for stains on natural fibers such as linen and cotton. Fabrics whose surfaces have fragments of small round balls, known as "bobbles" or "pills," require a longer gentle scrubbing time. These fabrics include wool and most man-made fibers.
Step 2. Turn the fabric over so the stain is facing down
In this position, the water can tackle the stain from behind, pushing it outwards and off the fabric. Rinsing in this position is more effective than running water directly over the stain.
You may need to turn the inside of the garment outward to do this
Step 3. Flush the stain with cold water
Even old stains usually don't fully seep into the fabric, so start by wiping off the part of the surface that isn't sticking too tightly. Run cold water through the back of the fabric to push it through the stain. Hold the cloth under running water for a few minutes, and the stain should at least reduce a bit.
Warning: never wash bloodstains in warm or hot water, as this can cause the stain to permanently stick to the fabric fibers
Step 4. Rub the soap on the stain
Turn the fabric so that the stain is facing up. Rub the bar soap repeatedly on the stain, to create a thick lather. Any soap can be used, but traditional solid bar soaps may lather more effectively than milder hand soaps.
Step 5. Grasp the stained area with both hands
Roll or wrinkle two areas of fabric, on either side of the stain. Each hand grips one area to provide a firm grip on that area, so you can rub it together.
Step 6. Rub the stains against each other
Twist the two cloth grips so that the stain is divided into two halves and facing each other. Rub the stained fabrics against each other vigorously, or gently but quickly if the fabrics are delicate. The friction you create will slowly loosen any remaining blood particles, which will remain in the foam instead of sticking back to the fabric.
Gloves may be worn to protect the skin from abrasions or abrasions. Tight latex or nitrile gloves can provide the least resistance to grip and dexterity
Step 7. Change the water and soap periodically and continue scrubbing
If the fabric starts to dry out or loses foam, rinse the stain with fresh water and rub the soap as before. Continue scrubbing any stained areas in this way until they disappear. If you don't see any improvement after five to ten minutes, try scrubbing harder or switching to a different method.
Method 2 of 5: Using Meat Tenderizer
Step 1. Use this on fabrics, but be careful on silk and wool
Meat tenderizer powder sold at the grocery store can break down the proteins found in blood stains. Although recommended by some silk experts, meat tenderizers do have the potential to break down silk fibers as well as wool. Test this method first on a small corner of the fabric, to see if there is any damage.
Step 2. Wet the meat tenderizer without the seasoning
Put about 15 ml (1 tbsp) of unseasoned meat tenderizer in a small bowl. Add water little by little while stirring until it forms a thick paste.
Do not use seasoned meat tenderizer, as the seasoning can stain your fabric
Step 3. Gently apply the paste to the cloth
Spread the paste on the dry bloodstain and rub gently with your fingers. Let it soak for about an hour.
Step 4. Rinse off the paste before washing
After the time is up, rinse the pasta with cold water. Wash the fabric as usual, but air dry rather than using a dryer, as heat can cause the stain to remain permanently attached.
Method 3 of 5: Using Enzymatic Cleaners
Step 1. Do not use this method on wool or silk
Enzymatic cleaners break down the proteins that make up the stain. Because blood stains are bound to the fabric using proteins, enzymatic cleaners can be very effective at removing them. However, wool and silk fibers are made of protein, and can break down when exposed to enzyme products.
Step 2. Find an enzymatic cleaner
If you're having trouble finding cleaning products labeled "enzymatic" or "enzyme cleaner," try "natural" or "eco-friendly" laundry soaps, or laundry pre-treatments, which often contain biodegradable enzymes.
Nature's Miracle and Seventh Generation laundry soap both fall into this category
Step 3. Flush the cloth with a stream of cold water to loosen some of the dried blood
Rub the cloth with your fingers to help scrape off the crusty material, or scrape it off with a dull knife.
Step 4. Soak a cloth in cold water and an enzymatic cleaner
Dissolve about 120 ml (1/2 cup) of cleaner in a bowl of cold water, then soak the stained cloth. The soaking time will depend on the age of the dried blood stain, and how strong the cleaning product is. Soak for at least an hour, or at most eight hours.
Alternatively, rub the cleaner into the stain with a toothbrush before soaking
Step 5. Wash the cloth and let it dry
Wash the cloth as usual, but don't put it in the dryer, as this can cause the blood to permanently adhere. Air dry, then check for any remaining stains.
Method 4 of 5: Using Lemon Juice and Sunshine
Step 1. Use this method in sunny weather
This method uses common ingredients, but requires sunlight to complete the process. You'll also need to wait for the cloth to air dry before you can tell if the stain has been removed, making this method take longer than most other methods.
Warning: lemon juice and sun are both capable of damaging delicate fabrics, especially silk
Step 2. Soak the stained cloth in cold water
Soak the cloth in cold water for a few minutes. While soaking, gather any other ingredients you'll need. This includes lemon juice, salt, and a zipped plastic bag large enough to hold clothes.
Step 3. Squeeze the clothes slowly and put them in the bag
Squeeze the clothes to remove excess water. Unpack and place in a large, sealable plastic bag.
Step 4. Add lemon juice and salt
Pour about 500 ml (2 cups) of lemon juice and 120 ml (1/2 cup) of salt into a plastic bag and seal tightly.
Step 5. Massage the cloth
With the plastic bag tightly closed, press the contents together to apply the lemon solution to the fabric, focusing on the stained area. Some of the salt should dissolve, and it can help to rub the lemon juice into the cloth, or scrape off the stain.
Step 6. Remove the cloth after ten minutes
Leave the cloth in the plastic bag for ten minutes. Remove the cloth from the bag and squeeze out the excess lemon juice.
Step 7. Dry the cloth in the sun
Hang the fabric on a clothesline or clothes dryer, or lay it out on a flat surface and allow it to dry. Do this in a sunny area, not just in front of a heater. It might feel stiff once it dries, but it will go away after washing as usual.
Step 8. Wash the cloth with water
If the blood stain is gone, wash the cloth with water to remove all of the lemon salt solution. If the blood stain is still there, dampen the cloth and let it dry in the sun again.
Method 5 of 5: Trying Stronger Treatments
Step 1. Understand the risks
The substance used in this section is a strong stain remover. However, its strength can bleach the fabric or cause permanent damage to the fibers. This method is best used on non-smooth white fabrics, or as a last resort after other methods have failed.
Step 2. Test first on the edge of the fabric
Once you have one of the following solutions, use a cotton ball or paper towel to wipe a small amount in a hidden corner or part of the fabric. Leave it for five to ten minutes to see if the material stains the fabric.
Step 3. Consider using white vinegar
Vinegar is usually not as strong as the options below, but it still has the potential to damage fabrics. Soak the stained cloth in white vinegar for about thirty minutes, then rub the stain with your fingers as you rinse with cold water. Repeat if the stain appears to have changed, but is still there.
Step 4. Try hydrogen peroxide
A 3% hydrogen peroxide solution, the percentage usually sold, can be poured directly onto the stain or applied with a cotton ball. Be aware that this solution is likely to bleach colored fabrics. Place the cloth in a dark place for 5-10 minutes, as light breaks down hydrogen peroxide, then dry with a sponge or cloth.
Step 5. Test the ammonia mixture as another option
Start with "household ammonia" or "ammonia hydroxide," which is sold as a cleaning product. Dilute with an equal amount of water, and let the stain sit for fifteen minutes before drying and rinsing. If the "angle test" shows signs of damage, you may need to soak the cloth in a much weaker solution, such as 15 ml (1 tbsp) household ammonia, 1 liter of water, and a drop of liquid hand soap.
- Warning: ammonia can damage the protein fibers that make up silk or wool.
- Household ammonia contains approximately 5-10% ammonia and 90-95% water. Very strong ammonia solutions are generally very caustic, and must be diluted even more.
Tips
- Pretest the solution to be used on small or hidden areas of the fabric to ensure there is no discoloration or damage to the fabric fibers.
- Some of the stain removal methods above can also be used for carpets or upholstery with dried blood stains. Just dab with a slightly damp sponge instead of soaking, as too much water can damage it.
Warning
- Always wear protective gloves when you handle blood that is not yours. This is to protect against the risk of contracting blood-borne diseases.
- Do not place the cloth in the dryer until you are sure that the stain is gone. The heat from the dryer can cause the stain to stick to your fabric permanently.
- Never mix ammonia with bleach, as this can create very dangerous fumes.
