Got a blood stain on your light coloured carpet? Don't panic! Whether you've suffered a minor injury or a painful mishap there's lots of things you can do to tackle stubborn stains like blood.
We've got a foolproof guide to removing blood stains from your carpet below, so even if you haven't got a spot cleaner, carpet cleaning machine or a ton of carpet cleaning products you can still successfully banish bloodstains with the help of just a few household items.
But first, it helps to know exactly what you're dealing with and why blood stains on a carpet can be so tricky to remove. Here's some facts about blood stains that you may surprise you...
Why does blood stain so badly?
Blood is mainly made up of protein and water. It is bright red in colour due to having a large number of red pigmented cells and lots of plasma proteins which bind well to clothing and fabrics.
Another explanation as to why bloodstains are so hard to wash out is because of the high levels of iron in blood. Iron is a metal and this is why you'll often be left with a rust-like mark on any fabrics that you've tried to remove a stain from.
Should you use hot or cold water on blood stains?
Never treat blood stains with hot water! Blood is full of proteins as we've explained above and when these proteins are heated up they vibrate until they break the bonds that hold them together, causing the protein to clump. Once this has happened water is no longer able to wash the stain out, causing a permanent stain. You should always use only cold water when cleaning up a bloodstain.
How do I remove blood stains from a carpet
We spoken to several industry flooring and cleaning experts to give you the best answer to how to get blood out of a carpet. Follow our expert step-by-step guide for stain-free success!
6 expert steps to removing blood stains from a carpet
1. Act quick
"There’s a lot of anxiety around blood stains on carpets, " says Polya Petrova, a kitchen cleaning professional at Fantastic Services. "However, they’re not as complicated to deal with as it’s rumoured. You need to treat them as promptly as possible, because the faster you act, the more effective the method will be."
2. Pre-treat with cold water
"When treating blood stains, always use cold water instead of warm or hot water," says Polya. "Blood coagulates with heat, and the cold will prevent it from permeating into the carpet fibres. Fill a spritzer with 2 tsp of grease-fighting, liquid dish soap and cold water. Spray on the stain. Moisten it liberally so the carpet stain is entirely soaked. Use a paper towel or a dry white cloth to blot (do not rub) the spot so the blood is transferred to the cloth. Rinse with cold water and repeat if necessary. Keep in mind that removing blood stains may take persistence."
Boiling water can also damage carpet fibres, such as synthetics or wool.
3. Use something heavy to soak it up
If the stain is very stubborn you could also try spraying it with the above solution and putting absorbent paper with a weight on top and leaving it for a few hours.
4. Make your own cleaning mixture
If using dish soap and water hasn't worked you might want to try using something a bit stronger to try and lift the stain.
Paul Hambidge, Managing Director at Factory Direct Flooring, says "If water-based solutions aren't proving effective, small amounts of hydrogen peroxide mixed with bicarbonate of soda or soap are great for lifting blood thanks to their oxidising properties, but make sure to test a small amount of the cleaning solution in an inconspicuous area first."
5. Always do a spot test first
Always perform a spot test, just in case, either use an offcut of carpet or try treating an area under the sofa or table that won't be seen. Once you’ve used a cleaning product to lift a stain, use cold, clean water to blot and rinse the carpet.
6. Let the area dry properly
Once you're happy that you're stain has been fully removed it's time to let the carpet air dry.
"You can speed up the process by using fans or patting the area with absorbent towels," says Paul. "Try to avoid walking on the treated area while it's still damp, because this could compress the carpet fibres and affect its overall appearance."
Henrique Conceicao, Area Manager at Total Clean, says when removing a blood stain from a carpet you should never overlook the importance of airflow.
"Once you’ve treated the area, it’s important to get it dry as quickly as possible. A damp carpet can start to smell or even develop mould if it’s left too long, especially if the underlay gets wet. Open windows, switch on a fan, or use a hairdryer on a cool setting to speed things up."
Frequently asked questions about blood stains
Does vinegar remove blood stains?
Due to its acidic nature vinegar can be useful when removing blood stains from a carpet. Mix white vinegar with water and a small amount of dish soap. Pour into a spray bottle and shake well. Spray this mixture onto the blood stain and leave for 10 minutes before blotting off with a dry cloth or paper towel.
What's the best stain remover for blood on a carpet?
In general hydrogen peroxide is thought to be the best thing for removing blood stains from a carpet. You can either mix a small amount of hydrogen peroxide with it with bicarbonate of soda or soap or use neat but just dap a little on a cloth and gently blot the stain, repeating until the stain has fully disappeared.
How do you remove old dried blood stains?
Again one of the most effective ways to remove a dried blood stain is to use hydrogen peroxide. This is because it is an oxidizing agent that creates a chemical reaction that helps breaks down old blood stains. For old dried blood stains dab a small amount of hydrogen peroxide to a clean cloth and gently rub the affected area. You could also use an old toothbrush to gently help break down the stain. Use a damp clean cloth to soak up the stain. Repeat the process until the stain has fully disappeared.
Does salt remove blood stains?
Yes, salt may be useful at removing blood stains from a carpet. It has great absorption properties meaning it can lift blood stains from fabric and fibres. The best way to use it is to make a paste with salt and cold water, let it sit on the stain for about 30 mins before rinsing off.
Paul Hambridge has 35 years of flooring industry knowledge and experience from an installation, manufacturing, maintenance and design perspective. He began as an installer of large commercial flooring projects for multiple retailers. As Managing Director of Factory Direct Flooring, Paul has been in all aspects of flooring and worked with some of the largest producers of wood flooring, vinyl flooring, and laminate floors.
Henrique Conceicao Area Manager at Total Clean, has over a decade of experience in cleaning. His expertise in managing diverse projects across various sectors makes him well-qualified to advise on removing blood stains from carpets, a frequently encountered problem in his comprehensive cleaning portfolio.
Claire Tapley is a digital editor for Yours.co.uk. She is a journalist with over 16 years' experience writing for women over 50. In her previous role she was deputy editor on Yours magazine for nine years, before moving over to Yours.co.uk. Claire has recently trained to become an accredited Executive Menopause Coach, so that she can better support those going through the menopause in the workplace.