How To Get Blood Out of Clothes (Ultimate Stain Remover Guide)

Materials Matter

As a quick piece of advice before you get started, do not scrub your clothes when cleaning blood from them. Most instructions advise you to only blot the stain gently with a towel. Scrubbing is never suggested for a few reasons:

• Scrubbing can be abrasive and damaging to many materials you might be working with like cotton, which can thin out faster than it naturally does.
• Scrubbing can also spread blood stains rather than clean them from the surface. When dealing with blood, you have to lift the stain not push it deeper into the fibers you are cleaning.
• Scrubbing doesn’t actually allow the cleaning products you use to soak in and actually do their job.

So with that quick reminder out of the way, let’s get started on treating and removing blood stains from both your colored clothes and your whites.

Fresh Blood on Colored Clothes

Distilled White Vinegar
Everyone’s favorite household cleaning product is coming to the rescue once again. White vinegar is one of our favorite products to use for cleaning around the house and, to no one’s surprise, it’s effective against blood stains as well. Here is how to properly use vinegar to clean blood stains from clothes:

• Pour a bit of vinegar into a spray bottle for easier use, and then spray a small amount in a hidden area on the garment to test for discoloration.
• If it passes the test, spray a generous amount of vinegar directly onto the stained area and allow it to set for about 10 minutes or 15 for larger areas.
• When the vinegar has had time to work, add just a little more and then start to blot at the stain with an absorbent towel to lift it from the garment.
• The stain should lift fairly quickly and easily if caught and treated quickly. As soon as the stain has been fully removed, you can throw the garment into the washing machine to fully clean it.
• If you are treating non-clothing that cannot be washed for blood stains, you can clean the vinegar smell and residue with cold water and a towel.

Enzyme Stain Cleaner
An effective alternative to vinegar when it comes to treating and cleaning blood stains on clothing is an enzymatic stain cleaner. Enzyme stain removers, like the ones you use to clean pet messes, work well to break down blood stains on washable garments. Here is how to properly use an enzyme cleaner to treat blood stains:

• Start by flushing the stained garment under some cold running water to clear as much of the fresh blood as possible.
• Spray or apply the enzyme cleaner directly onto the stained area and give the product a minute or two to work against the stain.
• If the stain is more set in, use a soft laundry brush to gently work the product deeper into the fibers of the garment.
• Once the product has had time to lift the stain, flush the garment under cold water to remove the cleaner and check the state of the stain.
• We suggest reapplying the enzyme cleaner to the stain before throwing the garment into the washing machine for a regular cold water cycle.
• Before you move the garment to the dryer, check the state of the stain. If the stain is still present, you will need to retreat the garment to fully remove the stain.
• DO NOT dry the garment if the stain is still present, heat will set the stain and make it impossible to remove.

Fresh Blood on White Clothes

Hydrogen Peroxide

If you’ve ever skinned your knee or gotten scratched by a furry friend, you know how hydrogen peroxide reacts with blood. This medicine cabinet essential can double as a more natural stain-fighting bleach alternative that can save your white clothing from deep brown blood stains. Here is how to use hydrogen peroxide to treat blood stains on white clothes:

• For easier use, you can pour a bit of hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle and spray it directly onto the stained area or you can simply pour a small amount directly onto the stain.
• Leave the solution to work against the stain for about 5 minutes before using an absorbent towel to blot at the area.
• Repeat the application and blotting process until the stain has been fully lifted from the garment.
• Once the stain has been fully removed, you can toss the garment into the washing machine based on the care tag on the garment.
• Remember, don’t dry the garment unless the stain is completely gone from the garment after washing.

Or try this other quick hack:

Ammonia

This particular remedy is unfortunately even more pungent than vinegar, but it might be more powerful when it comes to stain fighting. Ammonia may smell but it can definitely pack a punch against stubborn stains like blood. Here is how to properly use ammonia to clean blood stains from your white clothes:

• Mix a tablespoon of ammonia with ½ a cup of cold water in a bowl.
• Apply a generous amount of the solution directly to the stain using a cloth or towel and then allow it to fully dry.
• Once the stained area is dry, use a fresh cloth and cold water to blot at the stain until it has lifted.
• Once the stain has lifted, you can wash the garment according to the manufacturer’s care tag.

Cold Saltwater

Did you know that cold salt water can be used to remove rust, blood stains, and grease? Turns out it can actually be an incredibly effective remedy when used in the right way. Here’s how you can use cold salt water to clean stains from your white clothing:

• In a bowl, create a thick paste from cold water and a lot of salt. Think of a consistency similar to cornstarch or baby powder.
• Apply the paste directly to the stained garment and allow it to sit for about 20 minutes.
• Once the salt has had time to dehydrate and lift the stain from the garment, wipe away the salty paste and rinse the garment under cold water.
• Repeat the process as needed until the stain has been fully lifted from the garment. When it is clear, wash the garment in a cold water cycle.

Household Items That Can Help

On the off chance that the mainstream remedies have failed to treat and remove bloodstains from your clothes, we still have a few tricks up our sleeves. Keep reading to find out what other DIY bloodstain removal tips we can share.