Blood stains. Everyone gets them, yet no one seems to want to talk about them. That’s why we’re here, to help you embrace the dirt of life, so that even the most TMI stains feel easy to tackle.
So let’s get into it. Here’s your ultimate guide to removing blood stains, both old and new.
When tackling blood stains, you need enzymes. Why? Because blood is mainly protein based, which means you need something that can break down the complex molecular bonds, and allow the surfactants (cleaners) to lift away the stain residue.
You can find enzymes and surfactants in some powder soakers, spot stain removers, or even laundry liquids you just have to know what to look for. Our Powder Booster, Oil, Body and Grease Stain Remover, and Advanced Wash are all great options.
Instead of experimenting with homemade remedies, our recommendation is not to risk it and instead stick with tried and tested products that'll work every time.
Removing Fresh Blood Stains
Like most stains, blood is easiest to remove from clothes when the stain is fresh, so let's start here.
As soon as an accident happens, best practice is to reach for a spot stain remover or soaker, depending on the size of the stain (and what you have in your cupboard).
Step 1: Rinse the clothing in cold water to flush out as much of the blood as possible.
Step 2: There’s a few options for this step.
If you’re using our Oil, Body and Grease Stain Remover hold the bottle 10cm away from the stain and spray. Leave this on for around 15 minutes (and definitely no longer than an hour).
If you’re using Powder Booster, you can either soak the item, by dissolving 2 scoops in 7L of water. Just make sure to leave colours for a maximum of two hours.
Alternatively, you can make a pre-treater paste by adding 1 scoop of powder to 3 scoops of water (doubling the recipe as needed). Then apply paste onto the stain, leaving for a maximum of 30 minutes.
Step 3: No matter what stain remover you’re using, you’ll want to get in there with a toothbrush (or something similar) and agitate the stain before washing off the solution. This is because the rubbing of the fabric helps to break down the stain molecules.
Step 4: Wash with an enzymatic laundry detergent. Both our Advanced Wash and Original Laundry Detergent contain enzymes and surfactants that will give your clothes one last kick of stain removal in the wash.
Just make sure to avoid a hot wash as heat can set stains. We recommend 40 degrees celsius as it’s the optimal temperature for product performance, but cooler temps will also work.
Step 5: Check the stain and repeat if necessary. Avoid putting your clothing in the dryer if the stain is still there. Simply repeat the process while wet.
Removing Dried or Old Blood Stains.
You can still successfully get rid of bloodstains that are old and have set in your clothes; they just require a little more oomph. Because the stain has set in, you'll benefit from the cleaning properties of oxygen activated bleach in addition to the enzyme action to break down the protein stain. Oxygen activated bleach and enzymes can both be found in our Powder Booster, so it’s the perfect tool for removing old and set in stains.
Here are the steps.
Step 1: If there’s any actual blood left on the clothes, rinse in cold water to flush out as much of the blood as possible.
Step 2: grab your Powder Booster and make a pre-treater paste by adding 1 scoop of powder to 1 scoops of water (doubling the recipe as needed). Then apply paste onto the stain, leaving for a maximum of 30 minutes.
Step 3: wash with an enzymatic laundry detergent like our Advanced Wash or Original Laundry Detergent.
Again make sure to avoid a hot wash as heat can set stains. We recommend 40 degrees as it’s the optimal temperature for product performance, but cooler temps will also work.
Step 4: Check the stain and repeat if necessary. Avoid putting your clothing in the dryer if the stain is still there. Simply repeat the process while wet.
Remember, it is always possible to remove old blood stains, but depending on how deeply set they are, it may take a few attempts.
Agitation and repetition are your best friends if you're trying to revive a lost favourite.
How to get Blood Stains out of Carpets, Mattresses and Other Non-Washable Surfaces.
We know it's not always possible to throw things in the washing machine, especially when the things that have been blood stained are enormous, and or fixed textiles.
So, here’s your guide on how to remove blood stains if popping them in the washing machine just isn't possible.
The premise remains the same: apply enzymes, surfactants and (if necessary) bleach, and then wash them off, however, the way you do this is a little bit different.
The trick is timing. You have to allow enough time for the products to work, but not so much that they start to damage the fibres, especially if they are delicate or natural fibres.
Step 1: Flush with water to remove most of the stain. Critically, you'll need to use cold water for this step. To flush, take a wet towel and dab/blot the affected area. Then take a dry towel, and do the same. Repeat the process a few times.
Step 2: Spot treat the stain with either our Oil, Body and Grease Stain Remover, a Powder Booster paste or an enzymatic laundry liquid like our Advanced Wash Laundry Detergent, depending on what material the item is made from (make sure to check if each product is compatible with the fabric fibres before using). Leave the product on for 1-2 minutes. Then agitate the stain, and wait another 1-2 minutes. Don't let the total treatment time exceed 5 minutes.
Step 3 (Very Important Step): Repeat step number one. You need to remove all the product from the surface. Take your damp towel, and dab / blot across the treated area. Take your dry towel, and dab remove the moisture. Remember this process works by lifting, not scrubbing. Repeat at least two times, being sure to rinse your towel with fresh water between each round.
Step 4: Check the stain and repeat if necessary. Wait until the area is almost dry to assess if you need to repeat this. If the stain looks stubborn, repeat again.
And there you have it, three different methods for removing blood stains. If you have any specific questions you can always email us over at contact@thedirtcompany.com.au :)
