How to get rid of blood stains from clothes

Blood stains can unexpectedly appear on our clothes (from small cuts, chafing, accidents around the home, etc.), and when they do, they can become a problem that is difficult to resolve. There is hope though: knowing how to get rid of blood from clothes, even when attempting to get rid of dry blood, can be the difference between keeping a garment or disposing of it. In this article we are going to tell you how to get rid of those stains, both from white and coloured clothing. 

Tips to get rid of dry blood stains

Blood sometimes dries out before we have time to get to work on it, and what was initially a small stain can become a true headache. Before losing hope, read about these simple household remedies that will effectively help you get rid of those stains, while caring for your clothes and without having to resort to complicated methods with other products. Find out how to do it step by step with these tips:

1. With ammonia 

Ammonia is a good remedy for getting rid of stubborn blood stains from clothes.

• Put a spoonful of ammonia in a glass of cold water.
• Pour it on the stain and allow it to work for a few minutes.
• Rinse after.
• Do not use ammonia on wool, silk or linen.

2. With cold water

Rinse with cold water. Never use hot water, as this will only make the stain even more ingrained. Then wash with your usual detergent.

3. With hydrogen peroxide

• Pour some hydrogen peroxide on the stain. If the stain is on a delicate garment, make a mixture containing 50% hydrogen peroxide and 50% water. Apply it several times.
• Rub with a cloth and then apply more hydrogen peroxide.
• Wash in cold water and soap or detergent.

4. With water and salt for delicate garments

• Rinse the stain with cold water.
• Rub the stain with the paste made from salt and a little water.
• Rinse the garment.

How to get rid of dry blood stains from coloured clothes

Coloured clothes require a little more care, since some stronger products can affect the original colour of the fabric. Fortunately, there are several ways to get rid of dry blood stains from coloured clothes using ingredients and products that we usually have around the home, or which we can easily find in the supermarket.

• Soak the garment in cold water with a little liquid detergent. Fill a bowl with cold water (never hot water) and add a squirt of detergent. Leave the garment to soak for at least an hour and then gently scrub it by hand or using a clean cloth.
• White vinegar. If the stain is particularly stubborn, mix equal parts of white vinegar and cold water and then apply the mixture to the stain, allowing it to work for a few minutes before rinsing it off. The vinegar will help dissolve the dry blood without damaging the colours of the garment.
• Stain remover specific for coloured clothes. There are product formulas that have been specifically designed to get rid of stains from coloured clothing. You simply have to apply it over the stain and let it work in accordance with the instructions and then wash your clothes as usual afterwards.
• Natural drying. Once the clothes are clean, it is best to hang them outside to dry naturally.

With a little patience and these simple steps, you will be able to get rid of blood stains from clothes, without worrying about spoiling them or altering their colours.

Tips to get rid of dry blood stains from white clothes without damaging them

White clothes are more likely to get stained, but they are also easier to recover if you take the right action. If you are wondering about how to get rid of dry blood stains from white clothes without damaging them, the following recommendations will be particularly useful to ensure the fabric doesn’t lose its brightness and doesn’t yellow.

• Rinse with cold water. Place the garment under the cold water tap and let the water run onto the back of the stain.
• Treat the stain with stain remover for white clothes. If the stain is very dry, apply some specific stain remover for white clothes directly on the stain. Allow it to work for a few minutes following the instructions on the packaging.
• Wash with detergent for white clothes. Then wash the garment with liquid or powder detergent for white clothes, which will help to keep it bright and get rid of dirt remains.
• Natural help with white vinegar. If you prefer a more natural method, add a small glass of white vinegar to the wash cycle. As we have already seen, vinegar is a natural softener and helps to disinfect and neutralise possible remains of blood or bad smells.
• Dry outside. Once the clothes are clean, hang them outside to dry naturally.

Although blood stains can seem impossible to get rid of, by acting quickly, using the right methods and products, most blood stains can be removed.