My little brother started playing baseball about a month ago and ever since we’ve been dealing with some pretty nasty stains. With combinations of grass, dirt, and even blood, doing laundry has become much more difficult than usual. For this reason, I’ve been looking for the best ways to remove tough blood stains and I wanted to share them with you. Here are tips to remove blood stains on everything from carpet to clothing!

18 ways to remove blood stains

For Upholstery/Carpets

1. Mix two teaspoons of salt with one cup of cold water (hot water will set the stain) and pour into a spray bottle. Spray the solution on the stain (or use a clean cloth to apply the solution to the stain). Then, blot the stain with a dry cloth to remove the solution. Repeat until the stain is gone.
2. Mix 1 tablespoon of liquid dish washing detergent with two cups of cold water. Use a clean cloth to apply the solution to the stain. Use a toothbrush to gently rub the solution into the stain. Remove excess solution with a clean, dry cloth.
3. Mix 1 tablespoon of ammonia with 1/2 cup of cold water and pour into a spray bottle. Spray directly on the stain and let it sit for about five minutes. Blot with a clean cloth. (You never want to rub or scrub a stain as this will cause it to go deeper into the fabric). Use a cloth damp with cold water to remove remaining solution and allow to dry.
4. Apply hydrogen peroxide (3%) directly to the stain. Let sit for 30 seconds and then blot with a clean cloth. Again, use a damp cloth to remove remaining solution and allow to dry. Note: If you apply to a dark colored fabric you may want to dilute the peroxide to avoid lightening the color.

For Blood Stains on Clothing

1. Run the stain under cold water to get rid of excess blood. Then,  use diluted dish washing detergent on the stain, and let it sit. After a few minutes, work the detergent and rinse in tepid water. If the stain remains, treat the area with an enzyme detergent. (Make sure not to use this on wool as it will damage the garment!)
2. Use hydrogen peroxide instead of chlorine bleach when washing a white load to remove stains. Hydrogen peroxide is one of the main ingredients in Oxiclean, which is why it is great for removing blood stains! Note: Don’t be surprised when the stain bubbles. That means it’s working!
3. Reader Jen shared the tip, “Got blood on clothing? Soak in peroxide ASAP and much of it should come out.”
4. Use Borax to boost your detergent. Put 1/2 cup of borax in a load of laundry along with your regular detergent for even better stain removal and deodorizing. You can also mix 1/4 cup box with a tablespoon of mild laundry detergent to apply directly to stains or to use when soaking delicates.
5. Put a small amount of shampoo directly on the stain and rub gently under cold water. Then launder on cold cycle and repeat the process if necessary.
6.  Simply pour club soda directly on the stain and let it fizz. Blot until the stain disappears. 
7. Use WD-40 to remove blood stains by spraying directly on the stain. Allow it to sit on the fabric for 3-5 minutes and then wash as usual. This will help to lift the stain so it will come out in the wash.
8. Mix cornstarch with cold water to form a paste. Gently rub the paste into the stain and allow the cloth to dry in a sunny/bright area. Once it’s dried brush off the excess paste. Repeat process until the stain is gone.
9. Use talcum powder and cold water to form a paste and apply to the stain. Allow to dry and remove excess. Note: You can also use this as a spot treatment on upholstery and carpeting.
10. Bargain Babe’s Expert Tip – “The only way I’ve been able to get blood stains out is by immediately rinsing with lots of cool water on the opposite side of the stain. That way the blood doesn’t have time to go through the material.”

For Dried Blood Stains

1. Mix 1 part baking soda with 2 parts cold water. Using a clean cloth, apply the solution directly to the stain and allow it to sit for 30 seconds.
2. Create a paste by mixing 1 tablespoon of meat tenderizer with 2 tablespoons of cold water in a small bowl. Spread the paste onto the blood stain and allow to sit for 1 hour. After one hour, use a cloth to brush off excess and use a damp cloth to remove the remaining paste.
3. Use lemon juice and salt to remove the stain. First, take the stain fabric and let it sit in cold water for five minutes. Wring out the fabric and place it in a plastic bag. Next, pour 2 cups of lemon juice and 1/2 cup of salt over the fabric and into the plastic bag and seal it closed. Then, put the item into the bag and massage the bag to distribute the salt and juice. Take the fabric out and hang/place to dry out in the sun. Once it is dry the fabric will be still. Use water to wash out the remaining solution.
4. Soak the fabric in white vinegar for thirty minutes. Rub the fabric together to help remove the stain. Then, rinse with water and wash as usual.

How do you remove blood stains?