The inevitable mishap that can turn an ordinary day into a laundry emergency: blood stains on your favorite shirt or jeans. Whether it's a scraped knee, an unexpected start to your period, or an accidental nosebleed, life happens, and so do those stubborn crimson blots on our beloved garments. But fear not! We're here to spill the secrets on how to get blood out of clothes without breaking a sweat.
What Causes Blood Stains?
Blood has a reputation for being one of the toughest stains to remove. But what makes getting blood out of clothes so difficult? Time for a quick science lesson! The culprit behind blood’s vivid red hue is a protein called hemoglobin, which is found in our blood cells. Hemoglobin's main job is to transport oxygen throughout our bodies, but when it makes contact with fabric, it can leave behind a stubborn stain. This is because hemoglobin contains iron, which can oxidize and bind to the fibers of the fabric, leading to discoloration. Protein based stains like blood can seem difficult to remove, but the right product should lift the stain and restore your clothes to their former glory.
It’s best to act as quickly as possible when dealing with a blood stain to prevent it from settling in the fibers. Ready to learn how to get blood out of clothes? Read on!
How to Get Blood Out of Clothes
What you’ll need: Ultra Concentrated Stain & Odor Laundry Detergent, Oxi Booster Pods, Stain & Odor Laundry Pods
Step 1: Act Quickly and Safely
The key to removing blood stains is to treat them as soon as possible. The longer the stain sits, the harder it becomes to remove. Before you begin treating a blood stain, make sure to protect yourself by wearing gloves to avoid direct contact with the blood. Safety first!
Step 2: Flush Out Stain
Place the stain wrong side up under your faucet and flush it out with cold water. Be sure to run the cold water through the back of the stain to help push it out of the fibers. This will get out as much of the stain as possible before moving on to treat it.
Step 3: Pre-Treat the Stain
What gets blood out of clothes? As a protein-based stain, the answer is simple: enzymes! Fill a clean sink or basin with warm water, and add a detergent that contains enzymes. We recommend our Ultra Concentrated Stain & Odor Detergent. Our Stain & Odor Detergent contains enzymes specifically designed to digest the protein of the stain, while its pump makes it easy to dispense. Add the garment and soak for 5-10 minutes. You should see the enzymes take effect and remove blood from fabric almost immediately. You can also add one pump of Ultra Concentrated Detergent directly to the stain and let sit before rinsing, if the stain is particularly stubborn!
Step 4: Wash
Now that the stain has been removed, wash the item as you normally would according to the care label. We recommend using a Stain & Odor Laundry Detergent Pod and an Oxi Booster Pod for maximum cleaning and stain fighting.
Step 5: Dry
When the wash is done and the stain is gone, dry the item as usual according to the care label. Be sure the stain is fully lifted before putting the garment in the dryer, as the heat from a dryer can cause any remaining stains to set further and be more difficult to remove in the future. You may want to air dry the item this first time in order to be certain. Once the stain is fully gone, you can dry the item worry-free!
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions about how to get blood out of clothes? We’re here to help you banish those stubborn stains for good.
How do you get dried blood out of clothing?
When it comes to how to remove blood stains, it is best to act as quickly as possible to prevent the stain from setting. But dealing with an older or dried blood stain doesn’t mean all hope is lost! Treat the stain with an enzyme-based product like Dropps Ultra Concentrated Stain & Odor Laundry Detergent. You can apply the detergent directly to the stain. Allow the product to sit for several minutes as the enzymes work to break down the proteins, then place the stain in a sink or basin filled with cool water. The stain should lift and be washed away.
Why does hydrogen peroxide remove blood stains?
If you ask around, you will find many people have different and creative answers to the question of how to remove blood from clothes! One home remedy you may encounter is hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is a commonly used solution for removing blood stains due to its unique chemical properties. It is an oxidizing agent, meaning it breaks down the color-producing compounds in the blood, helping to bleach or lighten the stain. This oxidation process helps to remove the pigment of the blood from the fabric, making the stain less noticeable or even completely disappearing. While hydrogen peroxide is a great answer to how to get blood out of white clothes, we do not recommend using it on dark or brightly colored clothing, as it can cause color bleaching.
Will blood come out of clothes?
Absolutely! Blood may be a tricky stain to remove, but it is not impossible. If you follow our guide to how to remove blood from clothes, you should be able to restore your garments to their former stain-free glory!