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Last Updated May 6, 2024
Keeping sheets clean is achievable, but not when you get your period in the middle of the night, get a nosebleed out of the blue, or your kids jump on the bed with their scraped knees. Unfortunately, as much as you try, you can’t prevent your sheets from these mishappenings from time to time. However, you can read this comprehensive guide on removing those bloody stains and preparing yourself to deal with the stained sheets. It can be hard to get the stain out, but it’s not impossible. So keep reading to know how to get blood out of sheets.
Key Takeaways:
The key to removing blood stain is to act spontaneously; fresh stain is easy to remove. However, if you don’t act quickly and let the blood sit there and dry, it will be hard to get rid of the old stains later. Therefore, as soon as you notice the stain, get to work and follow the below-mentioned steps.
On noticing the blood, you first need to strip the sheet off your bed. This will ensure that the blood does not spread onto your comforter or mattress. If the blood has already seeped down to your mattress, don’t worry; keep reading to learn how to tackle that problem.
After removing the sheet from the bed, run it under a cold faucet to remove any extra blood. Cold water will remove the blood without letting it set in, and the force from the faucet will help push the blood out and away from the fabric.
When dealing with blood stains, always use cold water. Using warm or hot water will make the stain stick to the fabric of your sheets and ultimately make the matter worse.
Once you have rinsed off any excess blood, use a clean wet cloth or a damp sponge to lift and soak up the blood that’s sitting on the surface of the fabric. Don’t make the mistake of rubbing the stain just yet. Rubbing the stain will further push it into the fabric and make a mess by spreading the stain.
Once you are done removing all the excess blood, let the sheets soak in cold water. You may just soak the stained part or toss the entire sheet in cold water. Let it stay there for at least 30 to 60 minutes.
If the stain still looks persistent, there is a need to use a stain remover to get rid of it. There are a lot of options available, some of which have been discussed below. One of the best stain removers is hydrogen peroxide. The 3% hydrogen peroxide solution sold in the local drugstore works well to get blood out of sheets, especially white sheets.
Dip the stained area in a bowl or a small container, pour hydrogen peroxide on the stain, and add some water to it. Now, gently rub the stain to treat it properly and let the stain fighter work better. Let it soak in the solution for 24 hours.
Now it’s laundry time! Toss your sheets in the machine, and regular cycle and mild laundry detergent are fine for washing. Just remember to use cold water while washing the sheets. However, make sure to check the manufacturer's guidelines before tossing your sheet into the washing machine, as not all materials are meant to be machine washed.
Once washed, let the sheets air dry because the heat from the drying process might bake in any stains that have not yet been lifted off completely. Once the stain has been baked in, you will lose your chance to try out any other stain fighter to remove the stain.
Repeat the entire procedure if the stain remains and use a different stain remover.
What if the stain was already dried when you noticed it, or the sheet just got stained in the morning, and you are running late for work? Well, don’t worry; even though a little trickier, dried blood can also be taken care of.
Below are 3 easy steps to get blood out of sheets.
Since it is dried blood, you will need to soak the stained sheet in water for several hours. Ideally, one should soak it in cold water overnight. Make sure not to use hot water as it will set the blood in the fabric. You can also scrub the stain with a soft-bristled brush from time to time—this helps scrape off excess blood as well as dissolves dried blood.
Pour hydrogen peroxide into the dried blood stain and use a soft, bristled brush to pat the stained area. Let it soak in hydrogen peroxide for about 10-15 minutes. Now, use a wet washcloth to dab the stain.
Now machine wash your sheets in a regular washing cycle with your laundry detergent. Again, keep in mind to use cold water to wash it. Once washed, air dry the sheets.
The dried blood stain may not go away in one wash, and you might have to repeat the process. You can consider using other stain removers; some of the best ones are listed in the latter part of the article.
Blood on sheets is still fine and can be dealt with, but what if you remove bed sheets and find blood on a mattress? The most common response is to panic since the mattress is bulky and can’t just be tossed into a washer. However, instead of stressing out, quickly getting to work can help undo the situation. Follow below mentioned steps to remove the stain from the mattress:
Take a wet washcloth to dab the stain and soak up as much blood as possible. This will help lift off excess blood from the mattress. If you act quickly, this might be enough to eliminate the stain majorly.
Once you have blotted the stain, take a cloth or a sponge and pour the stain remover of your choice onto the cloth or sponge. Do not pour it directly on the mattress, or it will get too saturated. If the blood is being absorbed, make sure to change the side of the cloth to prevent transferring the blood back to the mattress. Repeat this a few times to soak up all the blood.
Once the stain is completely removed, use a dry cloth to blot up extra moisture. Use a blow dryer to dry the spot completely. We suggest letting the mattress stay uncovered for a while before making the bed. This will make sure that there is no moisture remaining on the mattress.
As it’s said, prevention is better than cure; therefore, it is always safe to use a mattress protector to protect your mattress from any harm. It will not only save your mattress from unnecessary damage but will also save you much trouble.
Sometimes stubborn stains might require a helping hand to get rid of them. Below are some stain removers you can use while treating any stubborn stain.
Hydrogen peroxide works similarly to mild bleach and works wonder in getting blood out of sheets, especially when it comes to white sheets. Since it’s mild, it works fine on darker sheets too, but make sure to do a spot test before using it. It can be directly poured over the blood spot, and it will work its magic.
Lemon juice is a natural bleaching agent and has acidic nature. Therefore it also helps to remove blood stain. If you don’t have hydrogen peroxide at home, it can work as a great substitute. Just squeeze some lemon juice on the stain, gently rub it, and rinse with cold water. Repeat until you get the desired results.
Cornstarch and baking soda are efficient in getting blood out of sheets. For this method, you need to mix baking soda with cold water to make a thick paste. Apply this paste on the stains and let it dry naturally. Remove the excess residue with a brush, and repeat if the stain persists. To make it more efficient, mix baking soda with lemon juice in equal parts.
Salt water might just come in handy if you got stain on delicate fiber like silk sheets. Mix some salt in cold water and soak the blood stained sheets in it for some time. Salt’s dehydrating properties will lift the stains from the fabric. Salt and dish soap combination makes an efficient stain remover too. Rinse the sheets with plain cold water and repeat if required.
White vinegar, again acidic in nature, works as a perfect substitute for hydrogen peroxide. Simply pour white vinegar directly on the stain and let it saturate for about 30 minutes before rinsing with cold water.
This may sound weird, but unsalted meat tenderizer can assist you with getting blood out of sheets. Blood proteins are broken down by unsalted meat tenderizer powder, which aids in the removal of stains. Simply mix some meat tenderizer with cold water to make a paste-like consistency and apply it to the stains. Leave it for about 30 minutes, then rinse with cold water and machine wash the sheets with mild detergent.
Coke contains chemicals like phosphoric acid and carbonic acid, which help absorb stains. Simply soak the sheets in coke for a few hours and then wash the sheets normally in cold water, and with a mild detergent.
Enzyme stain removers work magically on protein-based stains like blood stains. The protease enzyme present breaks down the molecules from these stains and makes it possible for the detergent to lift off the stains from the fabric easily.
Anyways, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions while using any stain removers as some textiles are delicate, and any chemicals might damage the fabric. Also, make sure to do a patch test in a hidden area to prevent any discoloration.
Now that you know how to get blood out of sheets, get to work and clean the sheets and get a peaceful sleep knowing your linen is clean and free of any stains.
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Disclaimer: What is said in this article has been referenced from multiple sources and is intended only for educational and informational purposes. Please note that no content in this article is a substitute for professional advice from a qualified doctor or healthcare provider. Always consult an experienced doctor with any concerns you may have regarding a health condition or treatment, and never disregard any medical suggestions or delay in seeking treatment because of something you read here.
