How to Get Blood Out of a Shirt Without Damaging the Fabric

You got blood on your shirt. Maybe it was a nosebleed, a cut, or a scrape. The dark red stain seems impossible to remove, but blood can be removed from shirts if you act quickly and use the right method. The key rule is to never use hot water. Here’s how to get blood out of a shirt without damage.

A blood stain on a shirt is a protein stain caused by hemoglobin bonding with fabric fibers. Blood proteins coagulate (clump together) when exposed to heat, which sets the stain permanently. Cold water prevents coagulation and rinses away blood. Hydrogen peroxide breaks down the hemoglobin and removes the pigment.

To get blood out of a shirt, rinse with cold water immediately, apply hydrogen peroxide for 5 to 10 minutes, apply Dawn dish soap for 15 minutes, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in cold water, and check before drying. Don’t use hot water, don’t rub, and don’t put blood-stained shirts in the dryer.

Step-by-Step: Removing Blood from Shirts

Step 1: Rinse with Cold Water Immediately

Rinse the stain under cold running water immediately. Hold the fabric with the stain facing down. Cold water rinses away loose blood and prevents coagulation.

Step 2: Apply Hydrogen Peroxide

Apply 3% hydrogen peroxide to the stain. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Hydrogen peroxide breaks down the hemoglobin and removes the pigment. It bubbles when it contacts blood, which means it’s working.

Warning: Hydrogen peroxide can lighten colors. Test on a hidden area first. For colored shirts, use less peroxide and rinse quickly.

Step 3: Apply Dish Soap

Apply Dawn Ultra Dish Soap to the stain. Work it in gently. Let it sit for 15 minutes. The surfactants break down the proteins.

Step 4: Scrub with a Toothbrush

Scrub the stain gently with an old toothbrush. Don’t rub hard.

Step 5: Rinse with Cold Water

Rinse with cold water to remove the dish soap and loosened blood.

Step 6: Wash in Cold Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in cold water. Add half a cup of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda for extra cleaning.

Step 7: Add Vinegar to the Rinse

Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse.

Step 8: Check Before Drying

If the stain remains, treat again and re-wash. Don’t put blood-stained shirts in the dryer.

For Dried Blood Stains on Shirts

Step 1: Soak in Cold Water

Soak the shirt in cold water for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Cold water softens dried blood.

Step 2: Apply Hydrogen Peroxide

Apply 3% hydrogen peroxide. Let it sit for 10 minutes.

Step 3: Apply Dish Soap

Apply Dawn dish soap. Work it in. Let it sit for 15 minutes.

Step 4: Scrub with a Toothbrush

Scrub gently with a toothbrush.

Step 5: Soak in Salt Water

If the stain remains, soak in cold salt water (2 tablespoons of salt per cup of cold water) for 30 minutes.

Step 6: Wash and Check

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in cold water. Check before drying.

For Stubborn Blood Stains

Use OxiClean

Spray with OxiClean Max Force Spray. Let it sit for 15 minutes. The enzymes break down the proteins.

Use Shout Foam

Apply Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam. Let it sit for 10 minutes.

Use Amodex

For blood stains that leave a persistent mark, apply Amodex Ink and Stain Remover. Work it in, let it sit for 10 minutes, and wash.

Use Ammonia

Apply a small amount of ammonia to the stain. Let it sit for 5 minutes. Rinse with cold water.

Warning: Never mix ammonia with bleach. It produces toxic gas.

Use Lysol for Disinfecting

Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse for heavily soiled loads.

Clean the Machine Monthly

Use affresh Washing Machine Cleaner monthly.

What Not to Do

Don’t use hot water. Hot water coagulates blood proteins and sets the stain permanently. Always use cold water.

Don’t rub the stain. Rubbing spreads the blood and damages fibers. Press gently.

Don’t put blood-stained shirts in the dryer. Dryer heat sets the stain permanently.

Don’t use chlorine bleach on colored shirts. Use oxygen bleach or hydrogen peroxide.

Don’t wait too long. Fresh blood stains are much easier to remove.

Don’t use warm water for soaking. Use cold water only.

Don’t mix ammonia with bleach. This produces toxic gas.

FAQ

How do you get blood out of a shirt? Rinse with cold water immediately, apply hydrogen peroxide for 5 to 10 minutes, apply Dawn dish soap for 15 minutes, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in cold water, and check before drying.

Does cold water remove blood from shirts? Yes. Cold water rinses away loose blood and prevents coagulation. Always use cold water for blood stains.

Does hydrogen peroxide remove blood from shirts? Yes. Apply 3% hydrogen peroxide, let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, and wash. Hydrogen peroxide breaks down the hemoglobin. Test on colored shirts first.

Can you put blood-stained shirts in the dryer? No. Dryer heat sets the stain permanently. Air dry and check first.

Does hot water make blood stains worse? Yes. Hot water coagulates blood proteins and sets the stain permanently. Always use cold water.

References

1. Tide. “How to Remove Blood from Clothes.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “Blood Stain Removal Guide.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Blood Stain Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. OxiClean. “Stain Solutions Guide.” oxiclean.com.