How to Clean Blood Out of Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric

You have blood on your clothes and want to remove it. Maybe you cut yourself, had a nosebleed, or dealt with a menstrual accident. Blood stains are protein stains that can be difficult to remove if not treated correctly. Here’s how to clean blood out of clothes without damaging the fabric.

Blood stains on clothes are protein stains caused by hemoglobin (protein) bonding with fabric fibers and producing a red or brown stain. Protein stains are set permanently by hot water, which cooks the protein into the fabric. The key to removing blood is using cold water (never hot), applying hydrogen peroxide (for white clothes) or dish soap, and treating the stain as soon as possible.

To clean blood out of clothes, rinse with cold water from the back, apply Dawn dish soap or hydrogen peroxide (for white clothes), let sit for 15 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, apply OxiClean, 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 clothes in the dryer.

For Fresh Blood Stains

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 protein stains permanently.

Step 2: Apply Dish Soap

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

Step 3: Apply Hydrogen Peroxide (For White Clothes)

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

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: Apply OxiClean

Spray with OxiClean Max Force Spray. Let sit for 15 minutes. OxiClean breaks down protein stains.

Step 7: Wash in Cold Water

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

Step 8: Add Vinegar to the Rinse

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

Step 9: Check Before Drying

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

Step 10: Air Dry

Air dry the clothes. Don’t use the dryer until you’re sure the stain is gone.

For Dried Blood Stains

Step 1: Soak in Cold Water

Soak the stained clothes in cold water for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Cold water helps loosen dried blood.

Step 2: Apply Hydrogen Peroxide (For White Clothes)

For dried blood on white clothes, apply 3% hydrogen peroxide to the stain. Let sit for 15 minutes. Hydrogen peroxide breaks down dried blood proteins. Don’t use on colored clothes.

Step 3: Apply Dish Soap

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

Step 4: Apply Baking Soda Paste

Make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply to the stain. Let sit for 30 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush.

Step 5: Apply OxiClean

Spray with OxiClean Max Force Spray. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 6: Apply Shout Foam

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

Step 7: Wash in Cold Water

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

Step 8: Add Vinegar to the Rinse

Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse.

Step 9: Check Before Drying

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

For Stubborn Blood Stains

Use White Vinegar

Apply white vinegar full strength to the stain. Let sit for 15 minutes. The acid in vinegar helps break down blood proteins.

Use Lemon Juice and Salt

Apply lemon juice to the stain and sprinkle salt on top. Let sit in the sun for 30 minutes. The acid and UV rays break down the proteins. Don’t use on colored clothes.

Use Oxygen Bleach Soak

Soak the stained clothes in a solution of OxiClean and cold water for 2 to 6 hours before washing.

Use Ammonia (For Stubborn Stains on Sturdy Fabrics)

Apply a small amount of ammonia to the stain. Let sit for 15 minutes. Don’t use on silk or wool. Don’t mix with bleach.

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 Fabric Type

Fabric Type	Best Treatment	Water Temp	Notes
White cotton	Hydrogen peroxide, OxiClean, Dawn	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 (protein) stains permanently. 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 clothes in the dryer. Dryer heat sets the stain permanently. Air dry and check first.

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

Don’t use chlorine bleach on blood stains. Chlorine bleach can react with proteins and make the stain worse. Use oxygen bleach (OxiClean) instead.

Don’t give up after one treatment. Stubborn blood stains may need 2 to 3 treatments. Repeat the process.

FAQ

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

What water temperature should you use for blood stains? Use cold water only. Hot water sets blood (protein) stains permanently. Never use hot water on blood stains.

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

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

How do you remove dried blood from clothes? Soak in cold water for 30 minutes to 1 hour, apply hydrogen peroxide (for white clothes), apply Dawn dish soap, apply baking soda paste, apply OxiClean, wash with Tide Free and Gentle 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.