How to Get Blood Off Shirt Without Damaging the Fabric

You have blood on your shirt and want to remove it. Maybe you cut yourself, got a nosebleed, or had a minor accident. Blood stains are protein stains that can be removed with the right products and methods. Here’s how to get blood off shirts without damaging the fabric.

Blood stains are protein stains caused by blood proteins bonding with fabric fibers. The most important rule for blood stains is to use cold water only. Hot water sets protein stains permanently by cooking the protein into the fabric. The key to removing blood is using cold water, applying the right product (OxiClean, hydrogen peroxide, or dish soap), and treating the stain as soon as possible.

To get blood off a shirt, rinse with cold water from the back, apply OxiClean or Dawn dish soap, let sit for 15 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, apply hydrogen peroxide for white shirts, 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.

For Fresh Blood Stains on Shirts

Step 1: Rinse with Cold Water

Rinse the stain with cold water from the back of the fabric. This pushes the blood out of the fibers. Use cold water only. Hot water sets blood permanently.

Step 2: Apply OxiClean

Apply OxiClean Max Force Spray to the stain. Let sit for 15 minutes. OxiClean breaks down protein stains.

Step 3: Apply Dish Soap

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

Step 4: Scrub with a Toothbrush

Scrub the stain with an old toothbrush. Work from the outside in. Don’t rub, which can spread the stain.

Step 5: Apply Baking Soda Paste

Make a paste of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda and water. Apply to the stain. Let sit for 15 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush.

Step 6: Wash in Cold Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in cold water. Add half a cup of baking soda to the wash.

Step 7: Add Vinegar to the Rinse

Add half a cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser for the rinse.

Step 8: Check Before Drying

Check that the blood stain is gone before putting the shirt in the dryer. If it remains, treat again and re-wash. Don’t put blood-stained shirts in the dryer.

Step 9: Air Dry

Air dry the shirt. Don’t use the dryer until you’re sure the stain is gone. Dryer heat sets blood permanently.

For Dried Blood Stains on Shirts

Step 1: Scrape Off Dried Blood

Use a dull edge to scrape off dried blood. Don’t damage the fabric.

Step 2: Soak in Cold Water

Soak the shirt in cold water for 30 minutes. Cold water helps loosen dried blood.

Step 3: Apply Hydrogen Peroxide (For White Shirts)

For dried blood on white shirts, apply 3% hydrogen peroxide to the stain. Let sit for 10 minutes. Hydrogen peroxide breaks down blood proteins. It may bubble, which means it’s working. Don’t use on colored shirts.

Step 4: Apply OxiClean

Apply OxiClean Max Force Spray to the stain. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 5: Apply Dish Soap

Apply Dawn dish soap to the stain. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 6: Apply Baking Soda Paste

Make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply to the stain. Let sit for 15 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush.

Step 7: Apply Shout Foam

Apply Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 8: Wash in Cold Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in cold water. Add baking soda and OxiClean to the wash.

Step 9: Add Vinegar to the Rinse

Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse.

Step 10: Check Before Drying

Check that the stain is gone. If it remains, repeat the process. Don’t put blood-stained shirts in the dryer.

For Stubborn Blood Stains

Use Ammonia

For stubborn blood stains, apply a small amount of ammonia to the stain. Let sit for 5 minutes. Rinse with cold water. Don’t use ammonia on silk or wool. Don’t mix ammonia with bleach.

Use Salt Paste

Make a paste of salt and cold water. Apply to the stain. Let sit for 15 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush. Salt draws out blood.

Use Aspirin Paste

Crush 2 to 3 uncoated aspirin tablets and mix with water to form a paste. Apply to the stain. Let sit for 30 minutes. The salicylic acid in aspirin breaks down blood proteins. Wash in cold water.

Use Amodex for Ink Mixed with Blood

If the blood stain has ink mixed in, use Amodex Ink and Stain Remover.

Use Lysol for Disinfecting

Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse.

Repeat the Process

Stubborn blood stains may need 2 to 3 treatments. Repeat the process until the stain is gone.

Clean the Machine After

Clean the washer with affresh Washing Machine Cleaner.

Blood Stain Removal by Shirt Fabric

Fabric Type	Best Treatment	Water Temp	Notes
White cotton	OxiClean, hydrogen peroxide	Cold	Peroxide safe on whites
Colored cotton	OxiClean, Dawn, baking soda	Cold	Don’t use peroxide on colors
Polyester	OxiClean, Dawn	Cold	Gentler scrubbing
Silk	Cold water, gentle blotting	Cold	Don’t scrub, don’t use peroxide
Wool	Cold water, gentle blotting	Cold	Don’t scrub, don’t use peroxide

What Not to Do

Don’t use hot water. Hot water sets blood permanently by cooking the protein into the fabric. Use cold water only.

Don’t rub the stain. Rubbing spreads the blood. Blot from the outside in or scrub gently with a toothbrush.

Don’t put blood-stained shirts in the dryer. Dryer heat sets blood permanently. Air dry and check first.

Don’t use hydrogen peroxide on colored shirts. Hydrogen peroxide can bleach colored fabric. Use on white shirts only.

Don’t use ammonia on silk or wool. Ammonia can damage silk and wool. Use on cotton and polyester only.

Don’t mix ammonia and bleach. Mixing ammonia and bleach produces toxic gas. Never mix them.

FAQ

How do you get blood off a shirt? Rinse with cold water from the back, apply OxiClean or Dawn dish soap, let sit for 15 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, apply hydrogen peroxide for white shirts, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in cold water, and check before drying.

Does cold water remove blood from shirts? Yes. Cold water is the best water temperature for blood stains. Hot water sets blood permanently. Always use cold water for blood stains.

Does hydrogen peroxide remove blood from shirts? Yes. Hydrogen peroxide breaks down blood proteins. Apply 3% hydrogen peroxide to the stain, let sit for 10 minutes, and wash in cold water. Use on white shirts only.

Can you put blood-stained shirts in the dryer? No. Dryer heat sets blood permanently. Air dry and check first. If the stain remains, treat again and re-wash in cold water.

How do you remove dried blood from a shirt? Scrape off dried blood, soak in cold water for 30 minutes, apply hydrogen peroxide (for white shirts), apply OxiClean, apply Dawn dish soap, apply baking soda paste, wash in cold water, and check before drying. Repeat if needed.

References

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