How to Get Blood Stains Out of Fabric Without Damaging the Fabric

You got blood on fabric. Maybe it was from a cut, a nosebleed, or an accident. Blood stains are protein-based stains that can be removed if you act quickly. The key is to use cold water, not hot water, because hot water sets protein stains permanently. Here’s how to get blood stains out of fabric without damage.

A blood stain on fabric is a protein-based stain caused by hemoglobin bonding with fabric fibers. Protein stains are unique because hot water sets them permanently by cooking the protein into the fibers. Cold water prevents the protein from setting and allows it to be rinsed away. Removing blood requires cold water, a surfactant (dish soap), and an oxidizer (OxiClean or hydrogen peroxide) for dried stains.

To get blood stains out of fabric, rinse with cold water immediately, apply Dawn dish soap, let it sit for 15 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, rinse with cold water, apply OxiClean for dried stains, 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 fabric in the dryer.

For Fresh Blood Stains

Step 1: Rinse with Cold Water

Rinse the stained area with cold water from the back of the fabric. This pushes the blood out instead of deeper. Don’t use hot water, which sets the protein.

Step 2: Apply Dish Soap

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

Step 3: Scrub with a Toothbrush

Scrub the stain with an old toothbrush. Work from the outside in.

Step 4: Rinse with Cold Water

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

Step 5: Wash in Cold Water

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

Step 6: Check Before Drying

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

For Dried Blood Stains

Step 1: Soak in Cold Water

Soak the stained fabric in cold water for 30 minutes. This loosens the dried blood.

Step 2: Apply Dish Soap

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

Step 3: Scrub with a Toothbrush

Scrub the stain with an old toothbrush. Work from the outside in.

Step 4: Apply OxiClean

Spray with OxiClean Max Force Spray. Let it sit for 15 minutes. OxiClean breaks down the protein in dried blood.

Step 5: Apply Baking Soda Paste

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

Step 6: Apply Shout Foam

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

Step 7: Apply Hydrogen Peroxide (For White Fabric)

For white fabric, apply 3% hydrogen peroxide to the stain. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Don’t use on colored fabric.

Step 8: Soak in Cold Water with Detergent

Soak in cold water with 2 tablespoons of Tide Free and Gentle for 30 minutes.

Step 9: Wash in Cold Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in cold water with baking soda.

Step 10: Add Vinegar to the Rinse

Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse.

Step 11: Check Before Drying

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

For Stubborn Blood Stains

Use Ammonia (For Cotton and Synthetics)

Mix 1 tablespoon of ammonia with half a cup of cold water. Apply to the stain. Let it sit for 15 minutes. Don’t use ammonia on wool or silk.

Use White Vinegar

Apply white vinegar full strength to the stain. Let it sit for 15 minutes. The acid breaks down the protein.

Use Salt Water

Soak the stained fabric in cold salt water (2 tablespoons of salt per cup of water) for 30 minutes. Salt breaks down the protein.

Use Amodex

Apply Amodex Ink and Stain Remover. Work it in, let it sit for 10 minutes, and wash.

Use Lysol for Disinfecting

Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse for disinfecting.

Clean the Machine Monthly

Use affresh Washing Machine Cleaner monthly.

Blood Stain Removal by Fabric Type

Fabric	Best Treatment	What to Avoid
Cotton	Cold water, dish soap, OxiClean	Hot water, chlorine bleach on colored
Polyester	Cold water, dish soap, OxiClean	Hot water
Wool	Cold water, gentle blot, dry clean	Scrubbing, hot water, ammonia
Silk	Cold water, gentle blot, dry clean	Scrubbing, hot water, ammonia
White cotton	Cold water, hydrogen peroxide	Hot water
Denim	Cold water, dish soap, OxiClean	Hot water

What Not to Do

Don’t use hot water. Hot water sets protein stains permanently. Always use cold water for blood stains.

Don’t rub the stain. Rubbing spreads the blood. Scrub with a toothbrush.

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

Don’t use chlorine bleach on colored fabric. Use oxygen bleach or hydrogen peroxide on whites only.

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

Don’t wait too long. Fresh blood stains are easier to remove than dried ones.

FAQ

How do you get blood stains out of fabric? Rinse with cold water immediately, apply Dawn dish soap for 15 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, rinse with cold water, apply OxiClean for dried stains, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in cold water, and check before drying.

Does cold water remove blood stains from fabric? Yes. Cold water prevents the protein from setting and allows it to be rinsed away. Hot water sets blood permanently.

Does hydrogen peroxide remove blood stains from fabric? Yes. Apply 3% hydrogen peroxide to blood stains on white fabric. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Don’t use on colored fabric.

Can you use hot water on blood stains? No. Hot water sets protein stains permanently. Always use cold water for blood stains.

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

References

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