The protein content in the blood makes blood stains difficult to remove. To remove a bloodstain from the mattress, you need to absorb as much of the blood as possible first, then thoroughly clean the stained area. Another important thing in this cleaning process is to dry the mattress until all the moisture is removed because damp mattresses are usually easy to mold.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Absorbing Residual Blood
Step 1. Remove the cover or sheet
Luckily to remove any stains from the mattress, you should be able to clean the surface of the mattress directly. Get rid of pillows, comforters, blankets, sheets, and other items that cover the surface of the mattress. Place pillows and other decorative items in a safe place so you don't trip over them while working.
Remove stains from sheets, pillowcases, comforters, and other bedding that can be washed using an enzymatic cleaning product or stain remover first if they have blood stains. Allow the product to soak into the fabric for 15 minutes, then wash the items in the washing machine
Step 2. Blot the dampened cloth on the stain area
Soak a clean washcloth in cold water. Squeeze the rag to remove as much of the remaining water as possible to keep the fabric just cool and damp. Press the cloth against the blood stain and dab it to wet the stain. Do not rub the stain, as the stain can go deeper into the fibers of the mattress.
Only use cold water as hot water can make the stain stick and make it more difficult to remove
Step 3. Blot a dry towel on the stain
After soaking the stain with water, take a clean dry towel and dab it on the stain area to absorb any remaining blood. Continue to blot the towel until the stained area is dry and there is no more blood coming off the towel. Do not rub the towel so that the stain does not push deeper into the fibers of the mattress.
Step 4. Repeat the wetting and drying process
Rinse the previously used cloth with cold water. Squeeze to remove excess water. Re-wet the stain by dabbing the rag. After that, use a clean washcloth and absorb as much water and blood as possible until the stain area is dry.
Wet and absorb alternately until the blood stain is no longer on the dry cloth
Part 2 of 3: Cleaning Stains
Step 1. Make a cleaning solution
There are various cleaning solutions that you can try to remove blood stains from the mattress. Oxygenated bleach or enzymatic cleaning products may be the best options because they are specifically designed to break down the proteins contained in organic substances such as blood. Some other cleaning solutions you can try are:
- Mix 120 ml of liquid detergent with 2 tablespoons of water. Stir both ingredients until foamy.
- Mix baking soda with cold water in a 1:2 ratio.
- Mix 60 grams of corn starch with 1 tablespoon of salt and 60 ml of hydrogen peroxide. Stir until it becomes a paste.
- 1 tablespoon of ammonia and 240 ml of cold water.
- 1 tablespoon of meat tenderizer powder and 2 teaspoons of cold water, mix until it becomes a paste.
Step 2. Coat the stain with the cleaner
For liquid cleaners, dip a clean washcloth in the product and wring it out to remove any excess liquid. Dab the washcloth on the stained area until the stain is wet. For pasta, use a knife or your fingers to apply enough cleaning paste to cover the entire stain.
- Memory foam mattresses shouldn't get wet, so use a cleaning product as needed to moisten the stain.
- Do not spray the cleaning mixture directly on the mattress. Keep in mind that mattresses are highly absorbent and if the cleaning fluid does not evaporate or dry properly, it can damage the fibers of the mattress and cause mold problems.
Step 3. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes
During this time, the product can get into the stain and break down the protein, making the stain easier to clean.
Step 4. Scrub the stain area to remove the stain particles
After 30 minutes, use a clean toothbrush to brush off the stain and get the product to work. You can also use a clean washcloth to press down on the stain area. When you brush or blot the washcloth, the blood stain will crumble and disappear.
Step 5. Absorb any residual blood and cleaning fluid
Soak a clean washcloth in cold water. Squeeze the rag to remove any remaining water. Blot the cloth on the area that has been cleaned to remove any remaining cleaner and blood that is still on the surface of the mattress.
Keep the rag until any remaining paste, cleaning fluid, and blood are completely removed
Step 6. Dry the stained area with a clean towel
Use a clean, dry towel to absorb any remaining moisture from the mattress one last time. Spread the mattress over the cleaned surface, and press it with both hands to absorb the moisture.
Part 3 of 3: Protecting the Mattress
Step 1. Dry the mattress by aerating it
Once the stain is gone, leave the mattress uncovered to allow it to air out for a few hours or (ideally) overnight. The drying process helps ensure that no moisture gets trapped inside the mattress, as well as protects the mattress from mold problems. To speed up the drying process, you can try the following steps:
- Point the fan at the mattress and turn it on at high speed.
- Open the curtains so that sunlight can dry the mattress.
- Open windows to increase the volume of fresh air in the room.
- Take the mattress outside to dry in the sun and fresh air for a few hours.
- Use a wet/dry vacuum cleaner to absorb water.
Step 2. Clean the mattress with a vacuum cleaner
After the mattress is completely dry, clean the entire surface of the mattress using a vacuum cleaner to remove any remaining dust and other particles. Regular cleaning keeps the mattress looking new for a longer period of time. Use a smaller nozzle (for pillows) and vacuum the top, bottom, sides, and seams of the mattress.
Step 3. Install the mattress protector
This waterproof product serves to protect the mattress from spills, stains, and other liquids or dirt. When you spill something on the mattress, for example, the protector can ward off moisture and prevent the mattress from getting wet.
Mattress pads are easy to clean. If you spill something or get it dirty, clean the cover according to the care instructions. Some products can be machine washed, while others can be cleaned using a damp cloth
Step 4. Make the bed
Once the mattress is dry, clean, and has a protector on, put back the washed fitted sheet, followed by any other sheets (if any), the protector, and the pillows you normally use. Sheets also serve to protect the mattress from sweat, dust, and other debris while you sleep.
