Cleaning Tips, Guides & Resources

How to Wash Out Wet or Dried Blood From Clothes

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A blood stain on your clothes always seems worse than it actually is. Perhaps it's the bright hue of a fresh stain or the boldness of a dried one that makes it seem impossible to get out. The good news, however, is that whether it is a speck of blood or a stain that is a few inches wide, you can easily wash out blood from clothes or remove the stain with various spot-treatment methods. 

For your convenience, MaidForYou is sharing the best tried and tested ways to get rid of blood stains from clothing. From denim to cotton; if you’ve got a blood stain on your clothes, we’ve got a method to wash it right out! Read on to learn how!

How to Remove Fresh/Wet Blood From Clothes

blood soaked scarf being cleaned in a clear large bowl

Washing out blood from clothes is much easier when the stain is new. In fact, the first course of action to remove wet blood from clothing is to run it under cold water. All you need to do is hold the fabric taut with the stain directly under the faucet, and watch how a steady flow of cold water can instantly wash blood out from your clothes! Of course, some fabrics or large stains may require more than just cold water to remove a fresh blood stain; so, if needed, follow the steps below to get rid of wet blood from your clothes:

  • Soak a clean white cloth or sponge in the solution and squeeze out the excess water.
  • Use the damp cleaning aid to blot the blood stain until it lifts.
  • Rinse the stained area and repeat the steps to fully wash out the blood from the clothing article.

NOTE: Hydrogen peroxide can cause fading in some fabrics/dyes; therefore, it is advisable to perform a spot-test on an inconspicuous area of the clothing before using this method. For a safe and less harsh alternative, use diluted lemon juice to remove blood stains from clothes.

How to Remove Dried Blood From Clothes

Depending on how much time has passed since the stain occurred, the steps above can also effectively remove dried blood from clothes and therefore, should be the method of choice before moving on to other options. 

If all else fails, here are two alternative stain removal methods to get rid of dried blood from clothing.

Saline Solution/Salt Water

  • Apply a saline solution to the stained area and allow it to soak for a few mins. If you don’t have this product, dampen the stain with cold water and cover it with table salt. Similarly, you can mix salt in cold water and then pour it over the dried blood.
  • Use a clean white cloth or toothbrush to gently scrub the blood stain in circular motions. If you are using salt, the ingredient works well as a mild abrasive without damaging the fabric. 
  • Rinse the affected area and gently squeeze out excess water. 
  • Repeat the steps above until the stain has come out in its entirety.

Enzyme-Based Stain Remover

  1. Start by filling your sink or a basin with cold water. 
  2. Mix in a small amount of your chosen enzyme-based stain remover. The usage instructions are generally mentioned on the label of the bottle so look out for that when using any laundry stain remover.
  3. Allow the clothing article to soak for a few hours. This should see the stain vanish completely, however, if it is only partially successful, go forward with the steps ahead.
  4. Remove the clothing item and observe the stain; if needed, apply a small amount of the enzyme cleaner and gently brush or scrub the area for a few minutes.
  5. Finish off by machine-washing the item in cold water. 

NOTE: If the stain persists, simply repeat the entire process once more. 

How to Remove Blood Stains from Denim

Considering the fact that denim is a thick material, you would imagine that the removal process when dealing with blood stains is slightly more tedious. The fabric tends to really soak up blood which means it will not wash out as easily as thinner materials do. Nevertheless, if you want to learn how to remove blood from jeans or denim, the steps below will help you achieve that.

  • Turn the clothing article inside out. 
  • Dampen a clean white cloth with cold water (the colder, the better). You want the cloth to be just damp as opposed to dripping wet so be sure to wring it before moving on to the next step.
  • Blot the stain repeatedly using clean sides of the cloth as the stain lifts. Refrain from using a scrubbing approach as this will create a bigger mess.
  • Soak the denim in cold water for about 30 - 60 minutes to allow the stain to loosen and lift on its own.
  • To spot-treat the remainder of the blood stain, you can use an enzyme-based laundry product or mild dishwashing liquid. Even shampoo works to remove blood from jeans; just be sure to avoid hydrogen peroxide or any bleaching agents as this will fade the material.
  • Apply your chosen product to the affected area with a soft toothbrush. Scrub gently starting from the outer part of the stain, and work your way inward. 
  • Without rinsing the cleaner off, put the garment in the washing machine and run it through a cold water wash cycle. 

NOTE: Denim fibres tend to hold colour from stains so you might need to repeat the cleaning process to fully remove dried blood from the fabric.

Although there are dozens of ways to wash out blood from clothes, the simple, straightforward, and tried and tested methods mentioned above are all you need to get the job done! Remember, a little patience and persistence go a long way in achieving desirable results so don’t give up after the first try and we guarantee that your efforts will not go in vain!

Adriana Aziz is the operations manager at MaidForYou. With over 6 years of experience managing cleaning operations, she knows all the best hacks when it comes to cleaning residential and commercial buildings. With expert experience in managing house cleaning operations, interior design and logistics. She spends her free time with her family and as a freelance food critic.

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