Blood on the sheet is common and does not imply murder or mutilation. A stain may appear on the sheet, if your nose bleeds, you scratch an insect bite in your sleep, blood may seep through a bandage applied to a wound, or stain your bedding if you suddenly have periods. A little blood doesn’t mean you have to throw away your bedding. If you notice a blood stain on the sheet, try to quickly remove it before the blood is deeply absorbed into the fabric.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Removing Fresh Blood
Step 1. Wet the back of the sheet with cold water as soon as possible
If you notice a blood stain, remove the sheet from the mattress and dampen the stained area with cold water. Do not use hot water, otherwise the blood will be absorbed even more into the fabric. Dampen a cloth with cold water at the beginning of each method described below.
Step 2. Treat a large stain with hydrogen peroxide
Fill the blood stain with hydrogen peroxide. Wait 20-25 minutes, then gently blot the stain with a paper towel. If you don't have hydrogen peroxide on hand, use plain soda water.
- You can also pour some white vinegar over the stain.
- In the light, hydrogen peroxide turns into water. If it's too light in the room, cover the spot to be treated with plastic wrap and place a thick towel over it. This will block the light and the plastic wrap will prevent the towel from absorbing the hydrogen peroxide.
Step 3. Apply a window cleaner containing ammonia to the stain
Just spray the window cleaner onto the blood stain. Wait 15 minutes, then rinse off with cold water, rinsing the back of the sheet.
Step 4. Use diluted ammonia to remove large stains
Pour 1 tablespoon of ammonia and 1 cup (240 ml) of cold water into a spray bottle. Close the bottle and shake the mixture. Spray the liquid onto the stain and wait 30-60 minutes. Then blot the remaining liquid with a clean rag and rinse the sheet under cold water.
Be careful when handling colored laundry. Ammonia can bleach and discolor colored fabrics
Step 5. Try using baking soda
Prepare a paste by diluting 1 part baking soda with 2 parts water. Dampen the stain with water and rub the mixture into it. Wait for the fabric to dry; it is best to dry the sheet in the sun. After that, remove the remaining paste and rinse the sheet under cold water.
Talc, corn flour, or starch can also be used
Step 6. Try treating the stain with salt and dish soap before washing
Mix 2 tablespoons of salt with 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap. After dampening the stain with cold water, rub the mixture into it. Wait 15-30 minutes, then rinse with cold water.
Shampoo can be used instead of dishwashing detergent
Step 7. Make your own stain remover by diluting baking soda and hydrogen peroxide in water
Add 1 part baking soda to a spray bottle, add 1 part hydrogen peroxide and ½ part cold water. Close the bottle and shake it. Spray the mixture onto the stain, wait 5 minutes, then rinse it off. Repeat 2 more times, then wash the sheet in cold water.
This method is best for cleaning polyester / cotton blend fabrics
Step 8. After removing the stain using any of the above methods, wash the sheet in cold water
Use cold water, mild detergent and normal wash cycle. Remove the laundry from the washing machine immediately after washing. Don't use a tumble dryer - hang your laundry in the sun instead.
- If the blood stains are not removed the first time, re-treat them. Process and wash the laundry until the stains disappear. After removing the blood stains, dry the laundry as usual.
- You can use bleach to clean white sheets.
Method 2 of 3: Removing dried blood
Step 1. Remove the soiled sheet from your bed and place it in cold water for a few hours or overnight
Cold water will help dissolve dried blood. You can also wash your laundry in the washing machine. Fill the machine with cold water and use a mild detergent. The stain may not necessarily disappear completely, but it will surely fade. Do this at the beginning of each method described below.
Remember that the stain can remain permanently, especially if you have passed the laundry through the dryer. Heat absorbs blood more into the fabric, so do not use the tumble dryer after washing soiled laundry
Step 2. Try using white vinegar
To remove a small blood stain, pour the vinegar into a bowl, take the stained area of the cloth and dip it in the vinegar. To remove a large stain, place a towel or other rag under the sheet and moisten the stain with vinegar. Wait 30 minutes (for both small and large stains), then wash the sheet as usual using cold water.
Step 3. Prepare a paste by stirring the meat softener in water
Dissolve 1 part meat tenderizer in 2 parts cold water until you have a smooth paste. Apply the paste to the blood stain so that it absorbs into the fabric. Wait half an hour to an hour, then remove the paste with a brush. Wash the sheet in cold water.
Step 4. Use detergent and water to remove small stains
Mix 1 part washing powder with 5 parts water in a small cup. After dissolving the powder in water, apply the mixture to the stain. Rub it lightly into the fabric with a soft brush and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Then blot the fabric with a damp sponge or towel and then with a dry white towel.
Step 5. Use hydrogen peroxide to remove stubborn stains
Pour some hydrogen peroxide onto the stain and scrub lightly with a soft bristled brush. Wait 5-10 minutes, then blot the stain with a damp sponge or cloth. Then blot the fabric with a clean, dry towel.
- When exposed to light, hydrogen peroxide is converted to water. If it's too light in the room, cover the stain with plastic wrap and place a towel on top of it.
- Before cleaning colored items, apply hydrogen peroxide around the edge to see if it will discolor the fabric.
- Use undiluted ammonia as a last resort. Do not use it to clean colored laundry.
Step 6. Try soaking stubborn stains with a borax solution, leaving it on for a few hours or overnight
When preparing the solution, follow the instructions on the package. Dip the stain in the solution and leave it on for a few hours or overnight. The next morning, rinse the laundry in cold water and hang to dry.
Step 7. After removing stains using any of the above methods, wash your laundry
Use cold water, mild detergent and normal wash cycle. Remove the laundry from the machine immediately after washing. Don't use a tumble dryer, just hang your laundry in the sun instead.
- The blood stains may not come off after the first time. In this case, repeat the procedure again.
- You can use bleach to clean white sheets.
Method 3 of 3: Cleaning the mattress and bedding
Step 1. Do not forget about the mattress and mattress topper
After removing the sheets, check for dirt on the mattress and the mattress cover that protects it. It is possible that the blood got on them too. In this case, they will also have to be cleaned.
Step 2. First soak the stains with cold water
Often, fresh blood stains can be removed by simply wiping them down with cold water. If the blood has time to dry, leave the mattress topper in cold water for several hours or overnight - this will facilitate further removal of the stain.
If blood gets on the mattress, lightly sprinkle cold water on the stain without wetting it too much
Step 3. Make a paste using cornmeal, hydrogen peroxide and salt
Mix ½ cup (65 grams) cornmeal, ¼ cup (60 milliliters) hydrogen peroxide, and 1 tablespoon salt. Apply the paste to the stain, wait for it to dry and scrub it off with a brush. Repeat if necessary.
Step 4. Blot the blood stains on the mattress with white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide
Do not allow white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide to soak into the mattress. Simply dampen a clean rag with white vinegar (hydrogen peroxide), wring it out to remove excess liquid, and lightly blot the stain. If the cloth becomes contaminated with blood, replace it with a new, clean cloth so that the removed blood does not get back onto the mattress.
Step 5. To remove blood stains from blankets and mattress toppers, use the methods described above for sheets
After removing stains, load the laundry separately into the washing machine and wash in cold water and a mild detergent. If possible, use the double rinse mode.
To beat the duvet after washing, place a tennis ball or tumble dryers with it in the tumble dryer
Advice
- Be sure to first test new cleaning products or solutions on a small area of the fabric to make sure the fabric does not fade or deteriorate.
- There are various products on the market for removing stubborn stains, including blood. To remove blood stains, choose products containing ammonia.
- Spray lemon juice on the blood stain before applying the standard product. Wait for the juice to absorb for a few minutes before rinsing off the stain.
- For small stains, try using saliva. Just spit on the stain and wipe it off with a clean cloth.
- Cover the mattress with a mattress cover to prevent blood from getting onto the mattress.
- Try an enzyme cleaner, but don't use it on silk or wool sheets.
- For small stains, use a pencil-shaped stain remover. Apply it on the stain, leave it on for a few hours (or even days), and then wipe it off with a damp cloth.
Warnings
- Never place a stained sheet in the dryer, or the hot air will make the stain more resistant. Remove the stain before drying your laundry.
- Do not use hot water. Under its influence, the blood is absorbed into the tissue even deeper.