Don't panic! Getting blood out of a carpet is easier than you think...as long as you follow a few important guidelines.
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Carpet is a major investment. It’s also one of the most noticeable things in any given room. That’s why it’s so distressing when you get blood on it. (In addition, of course, to whatever mishap caused the bleeding in the first place.) Luckily, all is not lost when this happens—far from it, in fact. You just need to know how to remove stains and the magic formula for how to get blood out of a carpet, which is a slightly different process than getting blood out of your clothes, your sheets, or any other household items.
The key is to act immediately, though you can also remove dried blood from a carpet with a little extra elbow grease and patience. “Blood can stain carpet very quickly,” notes Leo Grover, owner of the restoration company Pinnacle Emergency Management, “so the sooner it can be blotted up and removed, the better.” Here’s what you need to know—and what you need to have on hand—to banish those blood stains from sight.
What you’ll need
- White cloth
Liquid dishwashing detergent
Hydrogen peroxide
Carpet stain remover that’s designed to break down enzymes
Ammonia
Baking soda
Salt
How to remove fresh blood stains from carpet
No matter what stain treatment you’re using, the steps for removing blood stains from carpet are the same.
- Wet a white cloth with cold water. Never use warm or hot water for this task, since it can set the stain into the carpet.
- Blot the spot, pushing up and down with your cloth as opposed to rubbing it back and forth. Resist the urge to rub or scrub the affected area; this will only push the blood stain deeper into the carpet pile and possibly embed it into your carpet’s fibers. You also risk crushing the pile and ruining your carpet’s texture.
- Repeat this blotting process, with clean parts of the cloth, until no more blood is being transferred to the cloth. Then, blot the area with a dry white cloth. In cases where you’ve addressed the issue quickly enough or your carpet has excellent built-in stain protection, this may be all you need to remove the stain.
- Use a stain treatment if water alone doesn’t remove the stain. (See below for the specifics, depending on which product you’re using.)
- Use a clean, white cloth to blot the stain until the blood has been fully transferred from the carpet to the cloth.
- Blot the area with cold water to remove any remaining solution.
- Finally, blot the area gently with a dry cloth.
Alaina DiGiacomo/rd.comHow to use stain removers
Big jobs call for lots of stain remover, right? Wrong. When it comes to your carpet, less is more. “One of the main perils of using too much cleaner is that you may remove the spot but leave residue,” explains Grover. The residue left on your carpet could trap in dirt or weigh down your carpet so it becomes flat and matted.
“Another issue with using too much cleaner is that the stain can potentially re-appear—this is due to soapy residue left behind,” adds Jotham Hatch, vice president of training at Chem-Dry. “Although the treated area may look good at first, the spot will come back because the soapy residue continues to attract dirt.” Ack! An easy way to prevent yourself from falling into this trap is to apply the stain remover to your cloth instead of directly on your carpet. This will give you more control. Here are more cleaning mistakes you should avoid at all costs.
The most effective stain removers for blood
Believe it or not, you might already have everything you need. Some common household items can often get the job done, though, for truly stubborn stains, you might need the extra oomph of a store-bought solution.
Hydrogen peroxide
There are many hydrogen peroxide uses out there, and removing stains is one of them. Hydrogen peroxide is actually a mild bleach with wonderful cleaning and disinfectant properties. Most of the time, it’s perfectly safe to use on carpet. However, this is not something you should take for granted, so you should perform a spot test first. (This is a good use for leftover carpet scraps if you have them; if not, the back corner of a closet is a good test spot.) If no discoloration occurs, it’s safe to use it on your carpet.
Next, wet a white cloth with the hydrogen peroxide. Then, blot, don’t rub, exactly as you did with the cold water. Once you’ve succeeded in getting blood out of the carpet and onto your cloth, blot the area with cold water to remove the hydrogen peroxide. Follow up by blotting with a dry cloth.
Liquid dishwashing detergent
There are a few things you should never clean with dish soap, but carpet isn’t one of them. In fact, both Grover and Hatch say it’s their favorite ordinary household product for removing blood. Mix one tablespoon of liquid dishwashing detergent with two cups of cold water, and dip a white cloth into the mixture. Then, follow the same steps as above, blotting the blood stain until the soiled spot has transferred from your carpet to the cloth. Afterward, blot with cold water to soak up any remaining dishwashing liquid. When you’re through, blot gently with a dry cloth.
Ammonia
If you try the dishwashing detergent method and the stain doesn’t come clean, repeat the process, adding a tablespoon of ammonia to the dishwashing liquid/water mixture. Then go through the steps above once again. Note: Ammonia has a strong odor, so it’s best to open the window to increase ventilation when you’re working with it. Also, it becomes toxic if you combine it with bleach, so never mix those two products.
Salt
Salt is good for more than just popcorn! It can actually be used to remove blood stains, especially if you prefer to use natural cleaning solutions in your home. If the stain is fresh and still wet, combine salt and cold water together until you form a thick paste. Then, spread it over the carpet until you’ve completely covered the stain. Salt contains powerful absorbent properties, and it will draw the blood into the paste. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Then carefully scrape off the remnants of the paste with a spoon. If the carpet is still soiled, repeat as necessary, following up with another stain treatment if needed. When finished, vacuum the area to eliminate any salt particles. FYI, here are more clever uses for salt that have nothing to do with cooking.
Store-bought stain remover
To remove especially tough blood stains, you may have to rely on a store-bought stain remover like Kids ‘N’ Pets Instant All-Purpose Stain & Odor Remover. This product has an enzyme formula that breaks down the proteins in blood, grass, pet stains, and more and makes them easier to remove. It’s a good thing to have on hand since it works for the many types of accidents that tend to arise in busy households. Grover says that when using an enzyme formula, you should check the label to make sure it’s recommended for carpet. Then, follow the instructions on the packaging. To be on the safe side, it’s always best to perform a spot test first.
How to remove dried blood from carpet
Wondering how to get dried blood out of carpet? The process isn’t much different from the guidelines above, with one big exception: You first need to scrape off as much of the dried blood as possible.
- Using the back of a spoon, gently “comb” the affected area to break up any hard deposits. Do not use a brush, fork, or anything that might snag or fray your carpet fibers. This is especially important with looped carpets.
- Vacuum up the debris. Don’t skip this step; otherwise, the dried blood will turn to liquid again when you moisten it and continue to stain your carpet.
- Next, use a stain remover. To make your own pre-treatment, mix the following ingredients in a spray bottle: 1 cup of cold water, 1 cup of vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Then spray the mixture directly on top of the stain. For especially tough stains, a store-bought stain remover will probably be your best bet. Here are other homemade carpet cleaner options to consider.
- Allow the pre-treatment to sit on the carpet for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Use a clean, white cloth to blot the stain until the blood has been fully transferred from the carpet to the cloth.
- Blot with cold water to remove any remaining solution.
- And last but not least, the area gently with a dry cloth.
Now that you know the secrets to removing blood stains, turn to the other stubborn spots in your home. Next up: Learning how to remove red wine stains from your carpet. And, don’t forget to read up on the Bissell Little Green Machine and how it helps keep carpets clean.
Sources:
- Leo Grover, owner of Pinnacle Emergency Management
- Jotham Hatch, vice president of training at Chem-Dry
- COIT Cleaning & Restoration: “How to Get Blood Out of Carpet and Upholstery”
- Ege Carpets: “How To Get Blood Out Of Carpet — The Expert’s Tips”
FAQs
How to Remove Blood Stains from Carpet? ›
Mix one tablespoon of scent-free liquid hand dishwashing detergent with two cups of cold water. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the detergent solution. Blot until the liquid is absorbed. Repeat until the stain disappears, then sponge the spot with cold water and blot dry.
How do you get dried blood out of carpet? ›Try mixing 1 drop of dish soap such as Dawn with 1 cup of cold water. Pour the solution directly onto the dried bloodstain. Blot the bloodstain with a sponge soaked in cold water and then wrung out. Repeat until the bloodstain fades away.
Do blood stains come out of carpet? ›Using a mixture of water and ammonia can be an effective way to remove blood stains from a carpet but remember to never use ammonia on woolen carpets. For this methods, mix 1-2 teaspoons of ammonia with water and apply the solution to the carpet.
How do you get dried blood stains out? ›- Soak for an hour in cool water. Soaking blood stained fabric in cool water can help break up the stain and make it easier to remove.
- Wash as usual. ...
- Scrub with soap and water. ...
- Turn the fabric inside out. ...
- Have patience. ...
- Use an enzymatic cleaner.
To remove blood stains on carpets or upholstery, stick with Dawn dish soap. Mix one tablespoon of Dawn with two cups of cold water, dip a clean white cloth into it, then use it to blot the stain until it disappears.
Does hydrogen peroxide remove dried blood stains? ›Are Dried-in-Blood Stains Harder to Remove? Yes, unfortunately they are, and this task often needs something stronger than soap and water. The most effective method is to use hydrogen peroxide, an oxidizing agent that removes old blood stains via a chemical reaction, breaking it down.
How does hydrogen peroxide remove blood from carpet? ›How Peroxide Works on Carpet Stains. Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizer. Rather than bleaching the stain, it breaks down the color, making it invisible. Its oxidizing power is effective on bright stains like juice, wine, and blood.
Does OxiClean get blood out of carpet? ›Everyday wear and tear is easy to treat, but blood stains bring a whole new challenge. But will OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover remove blood stains on carpets and rugs? Yes it will.
Does hydrogen peroxide clean carpet stains? ›Hydrogen peroxide has many uses, but it is most commonly known as a disinfectant or bleaching agent. When used on carpets and rugs, it can help to remove stains and dirt.
Will hydrogen peroxide bleach carpet? ›Using a hydrogen peroxide with a concentration of higher than 6% will most likely bleach out your carpet's color dyes. Hydrogen peroxide solutions commonly used in households is diluted to a 3% grade. However, there's still the risk that the solution can bleach your carpet, depending on the dye.
Are dried blood stains permanent? ›
The stain should be gone or very nearly gone. You can repeat, but do remember that set blood stains are often permanent stains. As one last chance, you can apply a stain remover directly to both sides of the stain before its final trip through the wash.
Does rubbing alcohol get blood out of carpet? ›Apply rubbing alcohol to a clean white cloth, white paper towel or cotton ball. If the spot extends deep into the pile use a blotting motion until the spot is removed or no color is transferred to the cloth.
Can old blood stains be removed? ›Getting this out can be pretty straightforward. Dampen a cloth with water and dish soap and blot the stain up. If the stain has set into the fabric, you can use hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar to break up the stain and blot it out with a clean wet cloth.
What is the best stain remover for dried blood? ›Hydrogen peroxide is an excellent blood stain remover that works well on both fresh and set-in blood stains.
What removes blood stains best? ›Sponge the stain with hydrogen peroxide, or rub bar soap into the stain. Pour the hydrogen peroxide onto the sponge, not directly on the stain. Scrub the stained garment by hand in cold water. Apply a laundry pre-treater, or rub in an enzyme-containing liquid laundry detergent.
Does OxiClean remove old blood stains? ›Treating & Removing Dried Blood Stains
Wash as normal with laundry detergent and an extra scoop of OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover. That's how you use OxiClean™ to remove dried blood stains.
Oxidizable stains are usually brightly colored, such as juice. These stains are removed by using a bleaching agent, for example, hydrogen peroxide. These oxidizing agents break down the color-causing components of chemical structures so that the stain becomes invisible!
How does baking soda remove dried blood from carpet? ›Baking soda and water make into a potent stain removal paste. The duo can dissolve dirt quite effectively. The longer you leave the mixture directly on the carpet, the better it can work. Just let it rest, then scrub gently until the stain disappears.
Does vinegar remove old blood stains? ›Vinegar: White vinegar can break down blood stains while also disinfecting the area. Dilute one part of vinegar with one part of cold water and soak the stained item in the solution for 30 minutes before washing with warm soapy water.
Does rubbing alcohol remove dried blood stains? ›The types of cleaning solutions used to remove blood stains are upholstery cleaner, hydrogen peroxide, water and soap mixtures, and rubbing alcohol.
Is bleach or hydrogen peroxide better for blood stains? ›
Hydrogen peroxide is actually a mild bleach, which is why it comes in handy when you need to remove a blood stain (or when you need to remove a sweat stain). But it's better than straight-up bleach because it's usually color-safe.
How long to leave hydrogen peroxide on carpet stain? ›Place the hydrogen peroxide on a spray bottle. Spray it on the old stain. Saturate the stain if you must loosen up the stain's particles. Let it sit for about 10-15 minutes.
Can I leave hydrogen peroxide in carpet overnight? ›The longer you leave the cleaner on the carpet, the more the chances of damage. Although if you don't apply it for more than 60 minutes, it won't affect most carpets. The strength of hydrogen peroxide you use. The recommended strength is 3%.
How much peroxide do you use to remove blood stains? ›Pour a few teaspoons of the hydrogen peroxide directly on the stains and let it do its thing for a few minutes. After it fizzes for a bit, rub the fabric together to help work the stain out of the threads and then rinse with cold water again.
What removes all traces of blood? ›Hydrogen peroxide
This works only on fresh blood stains. Apply 3 percent hydrogen peroxide directly to the stain, rinse with fresh water, and launder as usual. Find out what else hydrogen peroxide is great at cleaning.
SPRAY — Liberally spray product to saturate the carpet/area rug. Then let it sit for 10 minutes to allow product to penetrate the problem area. BLOT — Blot up the stained area with a clean, colorfast sponge or cloth. Then vacuum area after product has completely dried.
How long to soak blood in OxiClean? ›Remove any excess blood stain by rinsing with cool water before pre-soaking the item. Fill the OxiClean™ scoop to line 4 per 1 gallon of water and mix well. Once the OxiClean™ has fully dissolved, submerge the blood-stained items. For best results, soak for six hours.
Does dawn and hydrogen peroxide stain remover? ›Miracle Stain Remover
It was essentially 2 parts hydrogen peroxide, and 1 part Dawn dish soap. Now, it can be any dish soap quite frankly, although Dawn does work really well, but so do other dish soaps. The most important thing here is that you treat the stain the way you would treat any stain.
Deep Clean Carpet Cleaner.
This deep cleaner can be used in your rug-cleaning machine. It is made of ¾ cup of hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup white vinegar, 2 tablespoons dish soap, 5 drops of essential oils, 2 tablespoons of fabric softener, and one gallon of hot water.
Don't mix hydrogen peroxide and vinegar together in the same mixture. This can create peracetic acid, which may be toxic and can irritate your throat and lungs, eyes and skin. You can, however, alternate spraying hydrogen peroxide and vinegar on a surface. Just make sure to wipe the surface between sprays.
Does baking soda and peroxide clean carpet stains? ›
If there is still staining or an odor after cleaning with the vinegar solution, you can try a combination of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. These products will break down the stain, kill bacteria, and absorb odors.
Can you put baking soda and peroxide in a carpet cleaner? ›Baking soda is not only efficient but also very safe for use in removing bad odors. Give it some time to work its magic as you mix a half a cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide and a tsp of dishwashing detergent. The great thing about hydrogen peroxide is it won't bleach your carpet at this percentage.
Will Dawn remove dried blood stains? ›Dawn. If you have some Dawn dish soap, you can also use that to help remove blood stains. Dawn recommends applying a few drops of dish soap directly onto the fabric, covering the entire stain, and then rubbing it in with your fingers.
Can you remove blood stains after drying? ›Dried blood can be a little harder to remove, but it is definitely possible. Drench the stain with water as you would do with fresh blood. Agitate the fabric gently with your finger while holding the item under cold, running water.
Does salt remove blood stains? ›Luckily, salt water or saline can come in handy in a pinch. Plain old table salt and cold water do really well for getting period blood out of clothes after the stain has dried.
Does Windex remove blood stains? ›Removing Blood Stains With Glass Cleaner
When I'm in a pinch, and I get a blood stain on clothing or fabric, I use Windex if I don't have any ammonia handy, and it works really well. Just spray it on, let it sit for a couple of minutes, and then wash like you would with any other pretreater.
"It has a high concentration of alcohol in it, which is a very good stain remover and will work on everything from pen to food spills to blood." (And maybe even those pesky lipstick smudges, too.)
Does vodka remove blood stains? ›Vodka is effective at removing tough stains, such as grass stains and blood stains. Simply rub the stain with a vodka soaked cloth.
Why does cold water remove blood stains? ›Blood is full of proteins, and when exposed to hot temperatures, a protein will vibrate until it breaks the bonds that hold it together, causing the protein to clump. At that point, water loses the ability to wash them out, which is why you should always use cold water when cleaning blood from cloth.
Can toothpaste remove old blood stains? ›Can toothpaste remove blood stains? Putting some toothpaste directly on a blood stain and letting it sit there for an hour can help remove the stain, but you can be much more effective with a solution of water mixed with laundry detergent.
What is the best cleaner for dried blood stains? ›
Hydrogen peroxide is an excellent blood stain remover that works well on both fresh and set-in blood stains.
Does vinegar remove dried blood stains? ›Vinegar: White vinegar can break down blood stains while also disinfecting the area. Dilute one part of vinegar with one part of cold water and soak the stained item in the solution for 30 minutes before washing with warm soapy water.
Will OxiClean remove dried blood stains? ›Treating & Removing Dried Blood Stains
Wash as normal with laundry detergent and an extra scoop of OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover. That's how you use OxiClean™ to remove dried blood stains.
The types of cleaning solutions used to remove blood stains are upholstery cleaner, hydrogen peroxide, water and soap mixtures, and rubbing alcohol.
Do you remove blood stains with hot or cold? ›Wash on the usual cycle in cold water. Do not use hot water, as this will set the stain. Always check the instructions on the garment's care label.
Does vinegar remove blood from carpet? ›Vinegar is effective in removing bloodstains from carpet due to its high acidity and antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. To use vinegar to remove blood from carpet, apply a mixture of 1 cup of vinegar and 2 cups of warm water to the stain.
Does hydrogen peroxide and baking soda remove blood stains? ›Apply a pre-treatment of a few drops of liquid laundry detergent to the blood stain. Wash the stained clothing in cold water with a natural bleaching agent like hydrogen peroxide, distilled white vinegar, or baking soda. Let the clothing air dry and then see if the stain is gone.
Do blood stains come out over time? ›Whether you nick yourself while shaving or receive an unexpected scratch, it's important to treat blood stains on your clothing as soon as possible; blood stains are relatively easy to remove before they set but can be nearly impossible to wash out after 24 hours.
How long until dried blood goes away? ›"On the whole, dried blood remains stable at ambient temperatures much longer than wet blood," adds Dr. Rudge. "Dried blood samples usually stay viable for a few weeks at room temperature.
How long can blood stains last? ›The literature data currently available on the estimate of the age of blood stains by exploiting color variations are limited from the first hours [16,17] up to a maximum of eight days [1] and 30 days [19], while in our work we have documented detectable color variations up to 60 days.