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Tackle fresh or dried up blood stains with simple household cleaners
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Whether you had a nosebleed or got your period in the middle of the night, waking up to blood on your mattress can be pretty stressful! Fortunately, there are several easy ways to remove blood stains from your mattress using household cleaners. Use cold water with baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, enzyme cleaners, meat tenderizer, or other cleaners around the house to lift stains as soon as you see them. Keep reading for everything you need to know!
How can I get blood out of a mattress?
- Wet a cloth with cool water, then use it to blot the stained area.
- Mix ½ cup hydrogen peroxide, ½ cup cornstarch, and 1 tbsp salt.
- Apply the paste to the stained area and let it sit for 30 minutes.
- Dab the area with a clean, damp cloth to remove both the stain and the paste.
- Soak up as much excess wetness as possible with a dry towel.
- Allow the area to dry completely before putting clean sheets on your bed.
Steps
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Strip the sheets and bedding off your bed and wash separately. To get blood stains out of your sheets , start by dabbing the stained area with a cold, wet washcloth. Next, fill your sink or bathtub with cold water, and let your sheets soak for at least 30 minutes. Remove your sheets and apply the stain fighter of your choice (such as hydrogen peroxide or OxiClean). Let the stain fighter sit for several hours, then machine wash your sheets with cold water. [1] X Research source
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Once your mattress is bare, blot the stained area with a damp cloth. Wet a clean cloth with cold water, then wring it out until the cloth is just damp. Press the cloth into the blood stain and dab to lift as much of the stain as possible. Do not rub, as this can rub the stain deeper into the mattress fibers. [2] X Research source
- Make sure to use cold water only, as hot water can set the stain and make it even harder to remove. [3] X Research source
- It’s also important to act as soon as you notice the blood stain. Fresh blood stains will be easier to remove (though it’s also possible to remove old ones).
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Make a paste with hydrogen peroxide, cornstarch, and salt. Combine 1 ⁄ 2 cup (120 ml) hydrogen peroxide, ½ cup (55 g) cornstarch, and 1 tbsp (19 g) salt in a small bowl or container. Mix all the ingredients together until it forms a thick paste. [4] X Research source
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Remove the paste with a clean, damp cloth. After the paste has stopped bubbling, use a damp cloth to remove both the stain and the hydrogen peroxide paste. Dab (don’t rub!) the area repeatedly until the stain and the paste are completely gone. [7] X Research source
- Make sure to wet your cloth with cool water, not warm water.
- You may need to change out your damp cloth for a fresh one a few times, since blood will lift from the mattress onto the cloth.
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Use a dry towel to blot excess moisture. At the end of this process, the previously stained area will likely be a little wet from the cool water you’ve used. It’s important to soak up as much of this excess water as possible with a dry towel or cloth, so that your mattress won't take too long to dry. [8] X Research source
- And that’s it! The blood stain should be removed, and your mattress should be good as new.
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Mix 2 parts baking soda and 1 part water into a stain-removing paste. Use cold water to make the paste, as warm water may cause the stain to set. Baking soda is a powerful natural stain remover, and it will also help deodorize the area. [9] X Research source
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Apply the baking soda paste directly to the stain. Cover the whole stain with the paste, and let it dry for about 30 minutes to work its magic. [10] X Research source
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Wet a cloth with cool water, and use it to dab at the stained area. This will lift the stain and remove the baking soda mixture from the area. You may need to change out your cloth for a fresh one as the stain lifts. Continue this process until the stain is completely gone. [11] X Research source
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When the stain is gone, use a dry cloth to soak up excess water. This ensures that your mattress won’t take too long to dry. Make sure that the stained area is completely dry to the touch before putting fresh sheets on your bed, and that’s it! [12] X Research source
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Mix 2 tablespoons (30 ml) cool water and 1 tbsp (17 g) meat tenderizer. Meat tenderizer contains enzymes like bromelain, which naturally break down the proteins in blood. [13] X Research source This makes it a great spot treatment for blood stains on your mattress!
- Make sure to use unseasoned meat tenderizer , not seasoned meat tenderizer.
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Apply the meat tenderizer paste to the stain. Make sure the area is fully covered in the paste, and allow it to sit for about an hour to break down the proteins in the blood stain. [14] X Research source
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Remove the dried meat tenderizer paste. Once the mixture has dried, brush it away with a dry cloth. The stain should now be gone!
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Dab the stain with a mixture of ammonia and cold water. Mix 1 tbsp of ammonia with 1 cup (240 ml) cold water. Next, dip a clean cloth into the solution and dab it onto the stained area gently. [15] X Research source
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Continue blotting until the stain is gone. As the stain lifts from the mattress onto the cloth, you may need to switch it out for a fresh one. [18] X Research source
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Wet a clean cloth with cool water and dab the area. This will rinse out any remaining blood and cleaning solution. Your mattress should now be good as new!
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Apply an enzyme-based stain remover to the stain. Commercial enzyme cleaners break down the proteins in blood. This makes them super effective at removing blood stains. Spray some of the enzyme cleaner onto a clean cloth until it’s damp, and use the cloth to press the cleaning solution onto the stain. [19] X Research source
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Blot the stained area until the stain has completely lifted. Remember to dab the area, rather than rubbing or scrubbing, which can push the stain deeper into the mattress. Continue dabbing until the stain is gone. [20] X Research source
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Let the area air dry completely, then vacuum over it. Go over the area with the upholstery attachment of your vacuum or a handheld vacuum to remove any remnants. [21] X Research source Your mattress should now be clean and stain-free.
- Since enzymatic stain removers are super strong and effective, they’re great for old or dried blood stains, which may be harder to remove with other methods. [22] X Research source
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Apply a mixture of powdered oxygen bleach and cool water to the stain. Combine ½ cup powdered oxygen bleach and 1 ⁄ 2 cup (120 ml) cool water to make a paste. Using a clean cloth or a soft toothbrush, apply the mixture onto the stained area, working from the edges of the stain toward the center to prevent it from spreading. [23] X Research source
- Make sure to use oxygen bleach , also called non-chlorine or color-safe bleach, rather than regular chlorine bleach, which may be too harsh and damage the mattress fibers. [24] X Research source
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Let the bleach paste sit for a few hours. This allows the stain treatment to break down the stain and lift it completely from the mattress fibers. [25] X Research source
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Use a clean, damp cloth to remove the stain and the bleach paste. Dab the area gently until the blood stain is removed. If your cloth starts to get dirty, switch it out for a clean one, and continue blotting until the area is completely stain-free.
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Method 7
Method 7 of 8:
Removing Mattress Blood Stains with Commercial Stain Removers
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Wet a cloth with cool water and blot the stained area. This will lift some of the excess blood from the stain, and it will also prevent the stain from drying and setting (which would make it harder to remove). [26] X Research source
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Mix powdered OxiClean and water to make a stain-removing solution. Cleaning expert Chris Willatt suggests using a commercial stain remover like OxiClean to treat mattress stains. Follow the directions on the package of your powdered OxiClean to create your cleaning solution.
- This will involve measuring out some OxiClean with the provided scoop, and mixing it with 16 oz of water. [27] X Research source
- If you’re worried about the stain remover affecting the color of your mattress, try doing a small patch test first on an inconspicuous area. If it has no effect on the color, you should be good to go!
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Dip a clean cloth in the Oxi-Clean solution, and use it to blot the stain. Dab at the stain gently until it is completely removed, being careful not to rub or scrub the area. Once the stain is completely lifted, wet a new cloth with clean water, and blot the area again to rinse out the cleaning solution. [28] X Research source
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Let the area air-dry completely. You can aim a fan at the bed or open a window to speed along this process. Once your mattress is fully dry, you can put clean sheets on the bed and get a good night's sleep! [29] X Research source
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Allow the mattress to air dry completely before using it again. Once the stain is gone, leave the mattress bare so it can air dry for several hours. This will ensure there's no moisture trapped in the mattress and protect it from mold. To speed up the drying time, you can:
- Aim a standing fan at the mattress and turn it on high. [30] X Research source
- Open curtains to let sunlight dry the mattress.
- Open a window to increase the fresh air in the room.
- Take the mattress outside to dry in the sun and fresh air for a few hours.
- Use a wet/dry vacuum to suck up water.
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Vacuum the mattress after stain removal. When the mattress is completely dry, vacuum the entire surface to remove excess dirt and other particles. Regular cleaning will help keep your mattress like new for longer. You can use the upholstery attachment on your regular vacuum, or you can use a small handheld vacuum.
- Make sure to vacuum over the top, bottom and sides of the mattress, paying special attention to seams and crevices.
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Put on a mattress cover. Mattress covers are waterproof covers that protect the mattress from spills, stains, and other accidents. The cover wicks away the moisture and prevents the mattress from getting wet, which helps it stay fresh and like-new for a longer time. [31] X Research source
- Mattress covers are also super easy to clean, as most of them are machine washable.
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Warnings
- When cleaning blood that is not yours, wear non-porous gloves to protect yourself from blood-borne diseases.Thanks
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about cleaning, check out our in-depth interview with Chris Willatt .
References
- ↑ https://casper.com/blog/how-to-get-blood-out-of-sheets/
- ↑ https://www.nestmaven.com/care/remove-blood-stains/
- ↑ https://time.com/shopping/article/how-to-get-stains-out-of-mattress/
- ↑ https://www.nectarsleep.com/posts/how-to-remove-blood-stains/
- ↑ https://time.com/shopping/article/how-to-get-stains-out-of-mattress/
- ↑ https://www.nectarsleep.com/posts/how-to-remove-blood-stains/nectarsleep.com/posts/how-to-remove-blood-stains/
- ↑ https://time.com/shopping/article/how-to-get-stains-out-of-mattress/
- ↑ https://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-to-clean-period-stains
- ↑ https://www.nectarsleep.com/posts/how-to-remove-blood-stains/
- ↑ https://speedqueen.com/scoop-blog/laundry-room/tips/pretreating-how-to-remove-stains-from-clothes-with-ease/
- ↑ https://www.nectarsleep.com/posts/how-to-remove-blood-stains/
- ↑ https://www.nectarsleep.com/posts/how-to-remove-blood-stains/
- ↑ https://housewifehowtos.com/clean/how-to-clean-a-mattress/https://housewifehowtos.com/clean/how-to-clean-a-mattress/
- ↑ https://www.nectarsleep.com/posts/how-to-remove-blood-stains/
- ↑ https://www.nectarsleep.com/posts/how-to-remove-blood-stains/
- ↑ https://www.nectarsleep.com/posts/how-to-remove-blood-stains/
- ↑ https://amerisleep.com/blog/how-to-get-blood-out-of-sheets
- ↑ https://www.nectarsleep.com/posts/how-to-remove-blood-stains/
- ↑ https://www.nectarsleep.com/posts/how-to-remove-blood-stains/
- ↑ https://www.nectarsleep.com/posts/how-to-remove-blood-stains/
- ↑ https://www.nectarsleep.com/posts/how-to-remove-blood-stains/
- ↑ https://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-to-clean-period-stains
- ↑ https://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-to-clean-period-stains
- ↑ https://www.webmd.com/balance/how-to-clean-mattress
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/za/laundry/how-different-kinds-of-stains-are-pre-treated.html
- ↑ https://www.oxiclean.com/en/stain-solutions/how-to-remove-blood-stains-from-sheets-mattresses#
- ↑ https://www.oxiclean.com/en/stain-solutions/how-to-remove-blood-stains-from-sheets-mattresses
- ↑ https://www.oxiclean.com/en/stain-solutions/how-to-remove-blood-stains-from-sheets-mattresses
- ↑ https://www.oxiclean.com/en/stain-solutions/how-to-remove-blood-stains-from-sheets-mattresses
- ↑ http://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-to-clean-period-stains
- ↑ http://housewifehowtos.com/clean/how-to-clean-a-mattress/
About This Article
Article Summary
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To remove blood stains from a mattress, first make a cleaning solution by mixing liquid detergent with water. You can also use baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, or ammonia. Then, apply the cleaner to the blood stains and let it sit for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, use a clean toothbrush to scrub the stains so they break up and disappear. When you're finished, blot the area with a damp, fresh cloth to soak up the excess blood and cleaner. Finally, dry the area with a clean towel. To learn how to protect your mattress from future stains, scroll down!
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Reader Success Stories
- "I was not optimistic about getting blood stains out of the mattress, even though I am good at stain removal. The hydrogen peroxide method in this article worked perfectly and was done in only about 10 minutes. Wow!" ..." more
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"I was not optimistic about getting blood stains out of the mattress, even though I am good at stain removal. The hydrogen peroxide method in this article worked perfectly and was done in only about 10 minutes. Wow!"
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"The cold water method helped the most. I was and am so glad you had this article up! I think everyone at home was asleep, and I couldn't ask my mom at the time. So grateful! Thank you!"
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"At first I didn't know what to use, but I asked Siri, and she brought me here. This worked perfectly, it looks as good as new!"
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"The water part alone worked perfectly on a huge blood stain on a white mattress, I'm so shocked by how well it worked!"
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"The method was simple and it was explained to me in a way that made me feel as if it was easy. Thanks for the help."
