It’s not pretty, but it happens. At one point or another, we’ve all had to clean stubborn stains from sheets. While it’s often easy to clean up a splash of white wine and a patch of dirt, blood tends to leave a mark.
If you’ve got a pesky blood stain in your bed sheets, don’t fret! Here’s how to get blood stains out of sheets the easy way.
How Do You Get Blood Out Of Sheets?
When it comes to getting fresh blood out of sheets, there are several misconceptions. It’s important to clean it correctly. Otherwise, you run the risk of setting the stain in the fabric and ruining your beautiful sheets.
Dab The Stain
When you first notice the stain, strip the sheets from the bed. The faster you clean the mess, the more likely you are to get rid of it!
Then, run a washcloth under cold water and gently dab the stain. Take extra care not to rub the stain with hot water, as this can set the blood deeper in the fabric.
Soak The Sheets
Next, soak the sheets in cold water for 30 minutes. Pressed for space? Bath tubs and water basins work well.
Use a Stain Fighter
Now it’s time to call in reinforcements. You’ll need an effective stain fighter to completely get rid of the blood. A mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water works best, but it can discolor dark sheets. If you’re concerned about creating a light spot on your sheets, test this method on a small section first.
First, place the section you want to treat over a bowl and pour half a cup of hydrogen peroxide over the stain. Then, dump cold water over the stain and let it soak for 24 hours.
Machine Wash
After the sheets have soaked for 24 hours, remove them from the solution and wash on a normal cycle. Remember – cold water will prevent the stain from setting, and mild laundry detergent works best.
Air Dry
Once sheets have finished their wash cycle, hang them out to dry. You don’t want to place them in the dryer because heat can set the stain.
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How To Get Dried Blood Out Of Sheets
It’s always best to clean messes immediately, but sometimes life has other plans. If you have dried blood stains on your sheets, you can rest easy knowing there are some effective ways to get rid of them.
Soak In Cold Water
When you notice the dried blood stain, strip the sheets and soak them in cold water for at least 12 hours. This will help the dried blood break away from the fabric.
Pour Hydrogen Peroxide Over Stain
Next, pour some hydrogen peroxide over the affected area and gently pat it in with a soft brush. For the best results, do this for about 10 minutes. Afterward, delicately dab the stain with a cold, wet washcloth or paper towel.
Machine Wash
Finally, put your sheets through a regular wash cycle using cold water and mild detergent. Make sure to air dry the sheets, because the dryer could make the stain even more stubborn.
The Best Stain Removers For Blood
Don’t have hydrogen peroxide on hand? Don’t stress. There are several other stain removers that can get the job done, and we bet you have several of them in your pantry right now!
- Lemon Juice – The acid from lemon juice can help remove blood stains. Simply soak the sheets in water, squeeze lemon juice over the stain, and gently rub it in. Rinse with cold water and repeat if necessary.
- White Vinegar – Pour white vinegar over the stain and soak the sheets in cold water for 30 minutes. After you rinse them with cold water, you should notice a significant improvement.
- Salt Water – Sometimes, harsh cleaners can damage delicate fabrics. If you stain silk sheets, we recommend cleaning it with salt water. All you need to do is combine one cup of cold water with one teaspoon of salt. Using a wet towel, gently dab the solution into the stain. Let it rest for 10 minutes, and then rinse with cold water.
- Aspirin – Aspirin isn’t just for headaches. To remove blood stains from sheets, crush up two tablespoons of uncoated aspirin and sprinkle over the affected area. Next, pour a half cup of water over the aspirin and create a paste. Scrub the area with a toothbrush and let the paste air dry. Then, scrape away the paste and rinse with cold water.
- Baking Soda – This household staple doesn’t just make cakes rise. If you create a solution with two parts lemon juice and one part baking soda, you’ll get an effective stain fighter. Gently dab the cleaning solution over the stain and let it sit for 10 minutes. Then, rinse with cold water. Alternatively, you can make a paste using cornstarch, baking soda, and water. Apply it to the stain and gently dab with a washcloth. Next, place the sheet in the sun and let it dry completely. Clear away the residue and repeat if necessary.
- Ammonia – Mix ammonia with water and pour it over the stain. Next, wash on a normal cycle with cold water and mild detergent.
- Stain Stick – If you have a stain stick handy, it can help immensely. First, soak the sheets in cold water. Apply the stain stick to the affected area and let it rest for 20 minutes. After that, wash on its normal cycle.
- Cola – This fizzy drink is more than just a refreshing treat. Cola can also fight blood stains! Simply soak the stain in cola for a few hours and let the chemical lift the stain. After that, wash the sheets in cold water.
- Club Soda – If you don’t have cola, you can also use club soda to treat the stain. Pour the beverage over the stain and let it fizz for a few moments. Then, gently blot the stain with a washcloth.
- Oxiclean – For the best results, presoak the sheets in cold water. Following the package directions, combine OxiClean with water and soak the sheets in the solution for about six hours.
- Contact Solution – This one might sound bizarre, but it works well in a pinch. All you need to do is pour contact solution over the stain and let it rest for several hours. If you don’t see the stain lifting, repeat this step again. After the blood has faded, run the sheets through a normal wash cycle.
Tips To Keep Your Sheets Clean
Here are some helpful tips to keep your sheets feeling clean, soft, and comfy for the long haul.
- Wash and change sheets regularly, about once a week
- Wash sheets separately
- Follow the washing and drying instructions carefully
- Wash darker sheets in cold water and air dry in the shade
- Pretreat minor stains
- Iron and store sheets correctly
FAQs
If you’re still curious about how to clean blood stains out of sheets, we’ve got you covered. We answered some of the most common questions below.
Does blood come out of sheets?
Yes, it does! For the best results, treat the stain immediately. A mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water works wonders, but there are many other effective stain fighters on the market as well.
How do you get blood stains out of a mattress?
First, create a paste using a half cup of cornstarch, a tablespoon of salt, and a half cup of hydrogen peroxide. Pour the solution over the stain and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Then, scrub the paste with a toothbrush. Once the stain has lifted, dab the solution with a cold, wet rag. Please note: It’s especially important to use cold water, because hot water can cause the stain to sink deeper into the mattress. Let the mattress air-dry completely, and repeat the steps above if necessary.
How do you get blood stains out of white sheets?
If you have white sheets, you can treat the stain with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water. If you don’t have those ingredients around the house, you can also use salt water, white vinegar, or a baking soda and cornstarch solution.
Does bleach remove blood from sheets?
Bleach does effectively remove blood stains from sheets, but it should be used with caution. Bleach can weaken fabric fibers and dull the pigment. We don’t recommend using bleach on dark or colorful sheets.
What gets blood out of sheets?
There are many cleaning solutions that help remove blood stains from sheets, and you probably have them in your house right now. In addition to popular stain fighters such as OxiClean, stain sticks, and hydrogen peroxide, you can use cola, contact solution, salt water, and white vinegar.
Do bed bugs leave blood stains on sheets?
Yes, they can. Bed bugs often leave blood stains on sheets, pillowcases, comforters and sheets. Oftentimes, the stains appear as small brown spots. If you see large red stains on your sheets, you might have an infestation.