Blood is much more difficult to remove after it dries. Try to start removing fresh stains as soon as possible - this will increase your chances of cleaning the carpet completely. Various cleaning methods are listed below, from the most gentle and gentle to the strongest and harshest. If the blood is dry, you may need to use harsh products, but be aware that they can damage or discolor the carpet. Be patient and try the milder methods first.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Removing fresh blood stains
Step 1. Blot the contaminated area with a clean white rag or towel
Press the rag against the carpet to absorb as much of the damp blood as possible. If you have a large stain, start at the edges and work your way towards the middle. Doing so will not smear the stain more widely across the carpet.
Do not rub the stain or the blood will penetrate deeper into the fibers of the carpet
Step 2. Spray the stain with cold water
Dampen the stain with cold water and wait a few minutes. If you don't have a spray bottle, you can simply pour some water over the carpet to moisten it.
- Not use warm or hot water, otherwise the stain will set and be much more difficult to remove.
- If you add too much water, the stain may spread more widely across the carpet. Large amounts of water can also damage delicate carpet. The carpet should be damp but not wet.
Step 3. Continue to wet and blot the stain
Press and release a dry towel against a damp carpet to absorb the water. Then moisten the stain again and blot it dry. Continue until the stain is gone. You may need to repeat this several times.
- You can also collect the water using a wet vacuum cleaner or a hand held carpet extractor.
- After a stain forms on the towel, unfold it in a clean spot. Use white towels to see if they are dirty.
Step 4. Treat the stain with a salt paste
If the stain persists, try using a paste of salt instead of plain water. Put salt in a small bowl, add some cold water and stir to form a thin paste. Apply some paste to the stain and leave it there for a few minutes. Then blot the carpet again with a clean rag or towel. If the towel changes color but the stain persists, repeat this step.
Over time, salt can damage the fibers of the carpet. Vacuum the cleaned area immediately after it dries
Step 5. Moisten the stain with diluted detergent
Mix 1–2 teaspoons (5–10 ml) of liquid dish soap in 1 cup (240 ml) of cold water. Dampen a clean white rag with the solution and apply it to the stained area. Then sprinkle with plain water on top and blot the stain.
Do not use detergent with bleach or lanolin
Step 6. Use a fan to dry your carpet faster
Direct a fan at the wet spot to dry faster. If the carpet takes too long to dry, residual blood can seep into the surface fibers and create a new stain.
If you don't have a fan, place a few paper towels on the wet area, press down on top with something heavy, and wait for the carpet to dry
Step 7. Vacuum or brush dry carpet
This will restore the fibers to their original shape. If the stain is still visible, try the methods below to remove dried blood.
Method 2 of 2: Removing dried blood
Step 1. Test each method on an inconspicuous spot first
The methods below are harsh and can damage or discolor your carpet. Be sure to test them first in a small hidden area. Wait 15 minutes or until the carpet is dry and check for damage.
Silk and woolen carpets are easily damaged, so it's best not to risk it. If this is the case, consider using the services of a professional
Step 2. Rub the carpet with a dull knife (optional)
Scrape the butter knife across the carpet fibers to remove dried blood particles. This will remove any remaining blood from the surface of the carpet, but not the stains themselves.
It is not recommended to do this with a valuable carpet
Step 3. Apply unflavored meat tenderer
It will break down the proteins in the blood stain, making it easier to clean the carpet. Mix the softener with the same amount of cold water and apply the resulting solution to the stain. Wait 15-30 minutes, then blot the stain with a clean towel. Rinse the contaminated area with cold water and a drop of liquid detergent.
- Do not use a flavored meat softener as it may leave new stains.
- The meat softener can destroy the fibers of silk or wool carpets, as these materials contain animal proteins.
Step 4. Treat the stain with hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide illuminates the carpet fibers and helps hide the stain. Moisten the contaminated area with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Wait for the rug to dry in a well-lit room. The hydrogen peroxide will decompose and will not need to be rinsed off.
- This is a risky method for dark and bright colored carpets, but hydrogen peroxide is safer than bleach.
- Most pharmacies sell 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution. If you have more concentrated hydrogen peroxide, dilute to 3%. For example, mix one part 9 percent hydrogen peroxide with two parts cold water.
Step 5. Moisten the dirty area with shampoo and then with ammonia
Ammonia is very effective, but it can discolor carpet and damage wool or silk. While ammonia can be used on its own, it is most effective when applied after a regular detergent. Proceed as follows:
- Add 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of shampoo or liquid dish soap to 1 cup (240 ml) of water. Spray the solution on the carpet and wait five minutes.
- Add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) household ammonia to 1 cup (240 ml) room temperature water. Be careful not to inhale ammonia vapors.
- Blot the shampoo and sprinkle the ammonia solution on the carpet. Wait five minutes, then blot the carpet again.
- Spray the carpet with water to rinse the area and pat dry.
Step 6. Use an enzymatic cleaner
Commercially available enzymatic cleaners break down complex chemicals found in blood and other organic stains. Apply the product as directed on the package (usually just spray on the stain, wait a while, then blot).
- Enzymatic cleaners are usually designed to remove urine from pets. In addition, enzymes are found in some ecological laundry detergents, but use them only if you cannot find enzyme products specifically designed for carpet cleaning.
- These products may be less effective at low or too high temperatures.
- Do not use such products on woolen and silk carpets, as they can destroy the fibers of the material along with blood residues.
Step 7. Dry the carpet in a well-ventilated area
After you've removed the stain, turn on a fan and direct it into a wet area, or open windows and doors to create a draft. In this case, the carpet will dry faster, which will reduce the likelihood that blood that has penetrated into the carpet will rise to its surface again.
Step 8. Vacuum or brush the carpet
Dried carpet fibers may be too hard and stiff. Vacuum or brush over them to restore the original texture of the carpet.
Advice
- If you run out of suitable rags, the carpet can be blotted with paper towels, although they can leave nasty lint if they get wet.
- Some people find that soda or tonic water is more effective than regular tap water. While it is not known if this is true, soda or tonic will not damage the carpet. However, do not use sugar-containing drinks.
Warnings
- Do not treat blood stains with anything hot.
- Use ammonia in a well-ventilated area and do not inhale the vapors.
- If you are trying to remove a stain other than your own blood, wear waterproof gloves to protect against blood-borne diseases.
- Do not mix ammonia and chlorine bleach. This produces hazardous vapors.
- Do not rub the stain in a circular motion, as this can disturb the texture of the carpet.