Blood on any surface is never a good sign, especially on a carpet. After making sure whoever is bleeding is okay, you might wonder how to remove the blood from the carpet.
Whether you have a white, beige, or any light-colored carpet, you can remove the blood stain if you know how to properly do so. You will learn how to properly clean blood stains from carpets with this step-by-step guide and helpful tips and tricks.
Step-by-Step Guide: Removing Blood from Carpets
When removing blood stains from your carpet, be careful not to spread the stain further by soaking it into the carpet.
Follow this step-by-step guide to effectively remove blood stains from your carpet using dishwashing detergent and water:
- Mix one tablespoon of dish soap with 2 cups of water.
- Apply the solution to the bloodstained area.
- Use a white rag or paper towel to blot or dab the area until the stain lifts.
- Pat the area dry. Replace the paper towel or rag as needed when it gets dirty.
Expert Advice: How to Get Rid of Blood Stains
Use cold water to remove dried blood stains from your carpet. It’s important to use cold water to prevent the blood from setting and making the stain harder to clean. The dried blood needs to be rehydrated to make it easier to lift.
Blood is similar to red wine on a white carpet – the longer it sits, the harder it is to remove. Acting quickly makes cleanup easier and prevents permanent staining.
Why it is Important to Clean Blood Quickly
Aside from damaging your carpet, did you know blood can be harmful if touched directly?
You may think that getting blood directly on you is no big deal, especially if it’s from someone in your family or someone you are close to. You would be surprised that blood, whether it is fresh or dried, can infect you with unknown diseases if not properly treated.
Effective Methods for Blood Stain Removal
One method is to use hydrogen peroxide if you have it on hand. You don’t need any other cleaner product or even water, depending on how fresh the blood is. It is one of the easy ways to get blood out of carpet or any upholstery you have.
Hydrogen peroxide will bubble up and have a chemical reaction with blood. Just let it sit and do its thing to remove the blood from the carpet. Crime scene investigators use it to discover blood, but you’d be using it to clean blood!
Afterward, you will need to blot with a dry rag to lift both the peroxide and the blood.
Another method is to spread baking soda paste on the stain. You can make the paste by mixing 1/4 cup of water with 4 tablespoons of baking soda. Leave it on the stain for at least half an hour before blotting and rinsing the area.
DIY Solutions to Clean Blood Off Carpets
Instead of spending money on a professional cleaning service, you can use these DIY solutions to clean up blood on the carpet. Let’s take a look at these different but effective ways you can clean up blood.
Mixing one tablespoon of ammonia and a half cup of warm water into a spray bottle will help clean tougher blood stains. Make sure you use a clean rag and blot on the stain until the solution is absorbed. Rinse with cold water and dab it dry with a rag.
You could also use a wet vac if you have one. This way, you can vacuum the stain at its source, and it should do the job for you with hot water. Just follow the instructions on refilling the vacuum.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Removing Blood Stain
Whenever anything spills, your first instinct is to rub it to try and get the mess off your rug before it settles in. It is a common mistake most of us make.
Rubbing stains instead of blotting has been proven to not only spread the stain itself but also damage the carpet fibers and set the stain further into the carpet.
Your white cloth will not be effective if you rub the blood into your carpet. Always blot the stain.
Hot water is not always your friend. When people want to moisten their rags and get blood stains out of their carpets, they tend to use hot water. By doing this, you are setting the stain into your carpet and this will make it more difficult to remove.
Household Products for Easy Blood Stain Removal
The products listed below are usually found in most homes. You can clean blood out of the carpet by using them and even return the original color of the carpet.
Cold Water
Believe it or not, using cold water to lift and clean blood will help remove the surface deposit and not stain your carpets further. Remember, always cold unless said otherwise. You’ll stain and leave an odor if you do not use cold and instead use hot.
Coca-Cola
Yes, you read that right. Coca-Cola (aka Coke) has been found to help lift blood stains from carpets. MythBusters experimented to see what Coca-Cola could clean and it ended up cleaning blood!
The carbonation bubbles and makeup of the drink itself will help lift the stain and keep it gone. Just rinse with cold water when done.
Cornstarch
We all have some cornstarch stored away in our pantry that we seem to forget about. Did you know you can get blood out of carpet by using cornstarch? Just spread as you would with baking soda, blot dry, and clean.
Quick Tips for Removing Blood Stains
Some quick things to remember when cleaning blood stains out of the carpet and keeping your home biohazard-free are:
- Remember to always use a dry towel
- Fill a spray bottle with the detergent mix for easy application
- Try to clean while the stain is fresh and do not scrub. Blot!
- Wait 5-10 minutes at the very least for any solution to sit on the stain
- Sometimes using a damp cloth can help dry stains
Conclusion
Accidents happen. Don’t overreact over small stains if you do not have to. Keep calm and follow the steps above to clean the stain and return your carpet to its original color.
