How to Remove Blood Stains from Sheets

There’s nothing worse than waking up with a bloodstain on your sheets and pillowcase. From period blood stains right down to getting a bloody nose in the middle of the night, removing stubborn blood stains can seem almost impossible.

Lucky for you, there are some easy-to-follow ways you can get rid of bloodstains. Let’s take a closer look at the easiest yet most effective ways of riding your sheets off of blood stains:

Steps to Removing Blood Out of Your Sheets

Here are some of the best and effective ways to get blood out of your sheets:

Using Cold Water

To wash off blood stains from your sheets and pillowcases, make sure you use cold water. It is because hot water can cause the stain to deepen and make it harder for you to remove it. 

It is best to clean the bloodstain when fresh; remove your bedsheets, and place the impacted area under cold water. It helps extract out excess blood.

Dab the Stain

Grab a wet, cold washcloth and dab the stained area. Avoid rubbing on it since this can lead to the bloodstain spreading and cause it to set further in the sheet.  

By dabbing the stain, you can extract excess blood that is yet to soak in.

Soak the Sheet in Cold Water

After you’ve dabbed on the stain, soak your bed sheet in running cold water. You may do this in the basin or your bathtub.

Next, allow your sheets to soak in the cold water for at least 30 minutes.

Using a Stain Fighter

After you’ve soaked your sheets, it’s time to use a strong stain fighter. There are millions of household options you can choose from; if you don’t have any, you can try using hydrogen peroxide and water.

It is perfect for light-colored sheets and also for cotton made sheets; however, if your bed sheet is a darker hue, consider testing out hydrogen peroxide on a smaller area to ensure it won’t bleach your sheet.

To get the blood off of your sheet, grab a bowl and place the stained area in it. Next, mix hydrogen peroxide with cold water and pour it on top of your sheet. Allow your sheet to soak in it for 24 hours.

Wash it in the Machine

Once you’ve allowed your bedsheet to soak in the solution for more than 24 hours, it’s time to machine wash your sheets in a regular wash cycle.

Make sure you use a mild and gentle detergent alongside cold water.

Dry Your Bed Sheet

Avoid using a dryer to remove a stain from your bed sheet. It is because the heat in a dryer can lead to the increased setting of the stain.

The best way to dry your sheets when trying to remove a stain is by letting them air dry. Place your bed sheet on a clothesline in the sun or near a fan to ensure speedy drying.

In case your bed sheet boasts a stubborn stain, consider using a different and powerful stain-fighting solution or repeat the process. 

How to Get Blood Out of Mattress

In case your mattress doesn’t boast a mattress protector, here’s how you can make your bed look new and smell fresh again:

• Use a gentle solution and mix it with cold water. Apply it to the stain. If you don’t have a detergent at hand, use hydrogen peroxide and sponge the stain
• Continue dabbing the stain in circular motions to remove the stain
• Rinse the stain with a cloth dipped in lukewarm water
• Lastly, allow your mattress to air dry 

Bonus Tips to Keep in Mind when Removing Blood Stains

Here are some extra, top tips to help ensure you sleep on clean sheets:

Applying Lemon Juice

If hydrogen peroxide is unavailable, you can try using lemon juice. Start by soaking your sheet in cold water.

Next, apply lemon juice on top of the affected area and rub it. Lastly, rinse the sheet with cold water and repeat until the stain disappears completely.

Use Salt or Saline Solutions

In some cases, bloodstains occur when you’re asleep or when you’re out of the house. If the bloodstain remains on your sheets for too long, laundry products will be useless.

Fortunately, there are multiple DIY methods to eliminate stubborn bloodstains—one practical tip for cleaning the stain with saline solutions or saltwater. Simply put a pinch of table salt in cold water and apply it to the affected area. Or you can use saline solution to enjoy the same effect.

Scrape Away the Dried Particles

If your mattress boasts a dried bloodstain, consider scraping away the dried particles. After that, grab a handheld vacuum or a hairdryer to remove the particles.

If you’re using a hairdryer, keep in mind that you’ll have to dust or vacuum.

Using Meat Tenderizer

An unusual yet incredibly ancient way of removing old, set-in blood stains from your bedsheets and pillowcases is using meat tenderizers. 

To do this, add tenderizer powder with water to make a paste. Next, apply the paste on top of the stain and allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes. Then, rinse your sheets with cold water and wash them in your washing machine.

To Sum it Up

 Repeat the steps to removing a blood stain from your bed sheet according to need to ensure the stain fully dissolves. Once you notice that the stain is fading, throw your sheets in the washing machine alongside cold water. This way, you can ensure your bed sheets will come out smelling great and looking wonderfully clean.

There’s nothing quite like slipping into bed to fall asleep on top of soft, clean sheets. Whether your bedsheets have a bloodstain or your pillowcases, you can follow the steps above. In case you’re unable to effectively clean your bloodstained sheets or pillowcase, try using a variety of different household stain fighters. 

Oxygenated bleaches and enzymatic cleaners are two of the best, most potent stain fighters. Consider using these fantastic products to clean your bedsheets.

Sources

https://casper.com/blog/how-to-get-blood-out-of-sheets/

https://www.rd.com/article/how-to-get-blood-out-of-sheets/

https://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-to-clean-period-stains

https://www.nectarsleep.com/posts/how-to-get-blood-out-of-sheets/

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/a30999384/how-to-get-blood-out-of-sheets/