How to get blood stains out: fresh and dried
A blood stain looks alarming, but getting it out is usually easier than it seems, as long as you follow one rule: cold water only. Blood is a protein, and heat coagulates it and "bakes" it into the fibres. In this guide you will find out how to get fresh and dried blood stains out of clothes, bedding and a mattress.
Quick answer
- Rinse the stain as soon as possible with cold water from the back of the fabric.
- Pour enzyme laundry detergent directly onto the stain, rub it in gently and leave it for 15–30 minutes.
- Wash in the washing machine at 30–40 °C.
- Check before drying: if the stain is still there, repeat. Do not tumble dry or iron until the stain is gone.
Why you should never wash blood out with hot water
Blood is rich in proteins such as haemoglobin. In hot water, proteins coagulate and stick to the fabric fibres, much like egg white in a frying pan. The stain then turns brown and becomes very hard to remove. Cold water does not affect the proteins, so they wash out more easily. For the same reason, you should not dry the stain on a radiator, with a hairdryer or by ironing.
Why enzyme laundry detergent works on blood stains
Enzyme laundry detergents usually contain proteases – enzymes that break proteins down into small, water-soluble particles. Blood, sweat, egg and milk are exactly that kind of protein stain, so they are an ideal job for enzymes. We explained why in more detail in our article enzyme laundry detergent: how it works.
Enzymes need time, so the most important thing is to leave the detergent on the stain. The Ecozyme enzyme laundry detergent label says to pour it directly onto old stains and leave it for 15–30 minutes before washing. The detergent is effective at 30–60 °C. It is not suitable for wool and silk.
A fresh blood stain (within a few hours)
- Remove excess blood with a paper towel. Do not rub; blot, so the stain does not spread.
- Hold the fabric under cold running water from the back: the water will push the blood out rather than deeper into the fibres.
- Apply a few drops of enzyme laundry detergent, rub it in gently with your fingers and leave it for 15–30 minutes.
- Wash as usual at 30–40 °C.
A fresh stain usually disappears the first time.
A dried blood stain
- Soak the garment in cold water for at least 30 minutes to soften the stain.
- Pour enzyme laundry detergent directly onto the stain, work it in with a soft brush and leave it for 30 minutes.
- For stubborn cases: soak the garment for a few hours or overnight in cold water with a tablespoon or two of enzyme laundry detergent.
- Wash at 30–40 °C. If your washing machine has a Soak or Prewash option, it will give the enzymes more time.
- Check the result before drying. If a shadow of the stain remains, repeat steps 2–3.
More on old stains: how to remove set-in stains.
Extra remedies if the stain will not budge
| Remedy | How to use it | Suitable for | Take care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold salt water | 1 tablespoon of salt in 0.5 l of cold water, soak for 30 minutes | Cotton, linen, synthetics | Only as first aid, not instead of laundry detergent |
| Hydrogen peroxide 3% | Drip onto the stain, wait until it stops fizzing, rinse with cold water | White cotton and linen | Can fade coloured fabrics. Test on a hidden area first |
| Baking soda | A paste of baking soda and cold water, leave for 30 minutes | Cotton, bedding, mattresses | Rinse off or vacuum up the residue |
Do not mix hydrogen peroxide with vinegar or other cleaning products.
Blood on bedding and mattresses
Clean bedding the same way as clothes: cold water, enzyme laundry detergent on the stain, then after 15–30 minutes wash at 40 °C. White cotton bedding can then also be washed at 60 °C, but only once the stain has gone. More: washing bedding.
Do not soak a mattress: the moisture will sink deep inside and mould may develop.
- Blot the stain with a cloth dampened with cold water.
- Apply a paste of baking soda and cold water, or a few drops of enzyme laundry detergent diluted in cold water, and leave for 30 minutes.
- Wipe with a damp cloth, then a dry one, and let the mattress dry thoroughly, ideally by an open window.
Period blood stains
Period blood is removed in exactly the same way: cold water as soon as possible, then enzyme laundry detergent on the stain and a wash at 30–40 °C. Underwear and bedding can be put to soak in cold water straight away until you have time to wash them.
What not to do
- Do not use hot water until the stain has gone.
- Do not tumble dry or iron the stain: the heat will set it permanently.
- Do not rub hard on a fresh stain: the blood will spread further.
- Do not use chlorine bleach on coloured fabrics: it will fade the colour, and on whites it sometimes leaves a yellow tinge.
- Do not use enzyme laundry detergent on wool and silk: these fibres are themselves proteins, so enzymes can damage them. Wash them in cold water with a product made for wool and silk, and take valuable items to a dry cleaner.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get blood out of clothes?
Rinse the stain with cold water from the back of the fabric, pour on enzyme laundry detergent, leave it for 15–30 minutes and wash at 30–40 °C. Do not use hot water.
Does hot water get blood out?
No. Heat coagulates the proteins in blood and sets the stain in the fibres. Always start with cold water.
How do I get out an old, dried blood stain?
Soak the garment in cold water, then pour enzyme laundry detergent onto the stain and leave it for at least 30 minutes, or soak it overnight in a detergent solution. Then wash it and check the result before drying.
Is hydrogen peroxide good for blood stains?
Yes, but only on white cotton and linen. On coloured fabrics it can leave a pale patch, so test it on a hidden area first.
Does salt help with blood stains?
Cold salt water works as first aid on a fresh stain, but it is the enzymes in the detergent, not the salt, that break down the proteins.
Can I get a blood stain out of jeans?
Yes, the same way: cold water, enzyme laundry detergent on the stain, 15–30 minutes, then wash the jeans inside out at 30–40 °C.
Summary
Three things get blood stains out: cold water, enzymes and patience. The sooner you start, the easier it is. Give a dried stain more time to soak, and do not dry the garment until you are sure the stain has gone.
