How to remove blood stains from delicate fabrics and specific surfaces?
This article explains various tips and methods to get rid of blood stains from delicate fabrics like silk, satin, woolen, linen etc and from specific surfaces like concrete, hardwood floors, mattress, quilt, leather, carpets etc. These methods used can make them free from blood stains.
Introduction
Getting rid of blood stain is a tricky process, especially if it dries out and coagulates. Go through how to get rid of dried blood stains to know various products and procedures which can be adopted to remove blood stains even after they have dried. These methods and products cannot be used on certain specific surfaces like on hardwood floors, mattress, carpets and on delicate fabrics like silk, wool etc. Specific surfaces require specific treatments. This is because certain specific surfaces like mattress, carpets, heavy curtains etc unlike most of the fabrics cannot be rinsed under running water or soaked. This is the reason that ingredients or products which are used to remove blood stains should be chosen carefully. Once these products complete their work then they need to be washed away from surfaces. Only those products should be chosen which require less amount of water to get rinsed away. If not rinsed properly then there is a chance that left out products too can cause staining of the surfaces. Different treatments are described below for specific surfaces and certain specific fabrics which will facilitate in the removal of blood stains.How to get rid of blood stains from certain specific fabrics?
- Silk fabrics-
Silk is a very delicate and expensive fabric. This is the reason that products used for blood stain removal should be chosen wisely, otherwise they will cause split up of fabric and damage it completely. Never use ammonia, lemon and chemical cleaners. Use salt and water to clean blood stains from silk fabrics. Take a spray bottle and fill it with water. Add 1-2 teaspoon of salt in it. Mix thoroughly. Spray this solution on the stain. Let it remain there for 10-15 minutes. Scrub gently. If stain is removed then rinse stained area or whole of the fabric with mild detergent and water and allow it to dry in cool, shaded environment. If stain persists then repeat the procedure. Use only mild products like salt, water, saliva, mild detergents and mildly active washing soap etc. - Jeans-
If blood stain is still fresh and not dried then allow it to get cleaned under cold running water or else soak it in a bucket full of water and scrub the stained area in between fists. If stain has dried over jeans surface then use products which are commonly available in home like salt and baking soda. If stain has become very stubborn then make use of ammonia. - Woolen fabrics-
A small amount of hydrogen peroxide can be used to help eliminate blood stains from woolen fabrics. Pour a small amount directly on the stain. Rub the stained area gently with the help of clean cloth. Let the product remain on the surface for 5-10 minutes. Once stain has disappeared, rinse the fabric in cold running water and then dry. If stain still persists then repeat the procedure. Never use ammonia on woolen fabrics. Meat tenderizer can be used, but use it cautiously. - Satin-
Same as silk, satin is also a delicate fabric and thus should be handled carefully. Use natural ingredients like salt and water. Use meat tenderizer cautiously over satin fabrics. If blood stain is fresh then removal will not be very difficult. Know how to get rid of fresh blood stains from various fabrics. Just running some cold water over satin can completely remove the stain or else dipping the fabric in a bucket of cold water is also a nice way to get rid of fresh blood stain.If stain had dried then use salt and water solution over it. Do not rub very hard. Gentle scrubbing is recommended. Gently scrub it with fingers or else with soft toothbrush to avoid causing damages.
How to get rid of blood stains from specific surfaces?
- Mattress-
Ingredient or product used to clean blood stains from mattress should be used in very small amount. Neither excess water can be used to clean that product nor can mattress be put in the wash. Leaving any such product can itself cause a stain and odor on the surface of mattress. Whatever product is used, make sure to use a paste and not a solution. For example, make a thick paste of salt and water and not just pour solution made out of salt and water. This will avoid excess moisture to get absorbed by mattress. - Hardwood floors-
Getting rid of blood stains from hardwood floors is quite easy. Most of the hardwood floors are covered with protective finishes like wax, polyurethane, urethane etc. These protective layers prevent stains being caused on the floors and also avoid floors from getting abraded. Also, they protect against moisture. Commercially many floor cleaners are available in market. Use the ones which are meant for hardwood floor cleaning. If stain is very light then it can also be wiped away with water alone with the help of a rag. - Carpets-
Getting rid of blood stains from carpet can be quite troublesome. If stronger methods are used then they can bleach the stained area on carpet and spoil the whole look. This is the reason to start with the gentlest product. Initially use water alone along with gentle scrubbing. Next, make use of water and salt solution and may be use a soft toothbrush to do the trick. If stain is very stubborn then use products like hydrogen peroxide and ammonia. Use hydrogen peroxide in very small amount as it can bleach the stained area. Make sure to dilute ammonia before it is used on the surface. - Concrete-
Blood may enter deeper into concrete and set over there by getting coagulated. This is because concrete is porous in nature. Stains or set blood cannot be removed just by sprinkling water over the concrete surface. Special chemical methods need to be used there like treatment by ammonia. - Leather-
Take a sponge. Prepare soapy water. Dip the sponge in this soapy water and very gently rub over the stained area of leather. Detergents or soaps used to make soapy water should be mild and not strong ones. This is because stronger ones can cause damage to the surface and rip off color from the surface of leather. Once stain has vanished, clean the surface with water and dry it with clean cloth. - Quilt-
Make a solution by adding bleach to the water. Bleach used should be the one that can even be used for colored clothes. Dip a cotton swab in it and clean the blood stained area. Do not scrub very hard. Gentle scrubbing is recommended. Once stain comes off easily, clean the area with clean water. Rag can be used for cleaning purposes. Before applying bleach solution, perform a test on a small area of quilt and see how it reacts. If bleach is too strong and is causing adverse reactions then dilute the solution with more water.
A nice article was written by the author.
I want to ask a question on how to remove blood stains from white cotton shirts as its hard to remove it at least in one wash.
If the stains are fresh they may be removed by just rubbing a soap bar and washing the cloth with warm water but the problem comes when the bloodstains get dried. I read somewhere that vinegar is the best thing to remove those dried stains. Vinegar can be directly applied to the fabric. Blot until the stain is removed and then pour water to get rid of the smell of vinegar.