Just when you thought cutting your finger couldn’t get worse, you spy that red spot on your new blouse. Bummer. Even though blood stains can be tough to get out, these quick moves courtesy of Carolyn Forte, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, can prevent long-term damage.
Removing Blood from Clothes
If the stain is fresh, soak in cold water or use an eye dropper to directly apply hydrogen peroxide. If it’s dry, brush it well to remove the surface deposit, then pretreat or soak in cool water with a laundry product containing enzymes, such as Honest’s Free & Clear Laundry Detergent. “You should never use a scented detergent when dealing with stains,” warns Forte. Wash the item as usual. If the stain remains, rewash using the type of bleach that’s safe for the fabric.
Removing Blood from Upholstery and Carpeting
Mix one tablespoon of scent-free liquid hand dishwashing detergent with two cups of cold water. If the stain has dried,put a brush to it to remove deposit. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the detergent solution. Blot until the liquid is absorbed. Repeat until the stain disappears, then sponge the spot with cold water and blot dry.
If the spot still remains in your carpet, mix one tablespoon of ammonia (caution: never mix chlorine bleach and ammonia as the resulting fumes are hazardous) with 1/2 cup of warm water. Sponge the stain with the solution and blot until the liquid is absorbed. Sponge with cold water and blot dry.
