Remove blood stains with the wet and dry method

Treating the stain while it is wet will dramatically increase the chance of getting; this, however, is not always possible. Here are two methods for getting rid of a wet stain and a dry stain that will save you replacing clothing, carpets, mattresses, and furniture.

The wet method

When the bloodstain is wet run the fabric under some cold water or use a wet cloth to blot the stain. Do not use hot water as this will set the stain.

Rinse or blot the fabric until you get out as much of the stain as possible. Apply some dishwashing soap to see if this removes the stain completely. 

If not, try a small drop of hydrogen peroxide to remove the stain. Be careful using hydrogen peroxide because it can stain and weaken certain fabrics. Larger items can be treated by applying a salt and water paste with a toothbrush and scrubbing out the stain.

The dry method

It is going to be harder to remove a dried stain but there are a few methods you can try. The first is to resoak the stain with a pre-treatment stain remover. Spay a generous amount on the stain and let it soak in before scrubbing away at it.

Another interesting method for removing dried stains is by using meat tenderising powder. The meat tenderising powder works by breaking down proteins found in the blood stains. Meat tenderiser should be used cautiously as it can have adverse effects on certain fabrics; in particular silks and wool.

To make sure the method is suitable for your fabric, spot test some of the solution to see how it reacts. To make the solution wet one tablespoon of unseasoned meat tenderizer with water in a small bowl. Stir this until a thick paste is formed. 

Rub the paste into the dried blood stain with your fingers and leave it to sit for an hour. Then rinse out the paste out with cold water and wash the fabric as usual.

What do you think of these tips? How do you usually remove stains from your clothing?