How to Remove Blood Stains

Types of Blood Stains

When we think of blood stains, we often think of small drops on the collar of our shirt from a shaving accident or blood on our child’s jeans from a skinned knee. Fish blood, animal blood or pet blood and menstrual blood will create stains just as easily on your clothing and other fabrics in your home. Cleaning blood stains fast, no matter where they originated, is essential for saving your fabrics.

Blood Stain Removal: Step by Step

1. Choose the Persil detergent you need based on the type of laundry.
2. Pre-treat the stain, checking for colour fastness first on coloured clothing.
3. Wash the fabric immediately to prevent the stain from setting.
4. Check the bloodstained clothing to see if the stain is gone before drying.
5. Repeat the process, as necessary.

Choosing Your Detergent and Stain Remover

The type of detergent you need will depend on the garment you need to remove blood stains from. If the garment is washable and white/coloured, consider a product like Persil Universal Gel. With each of these, you’ll follow the dosage for ‘heavily soiled’ garments on the product’s instructions.  Please be always aware about the care instruction of your laundry and following these instructions carefully.

Pre-Treating the Blood Stain

Cleaning blood stains is relatively simple if the blood is fresh. The first thing to always do is rinse the stain in cold water to remove as much as possible. Never use hot water, as this will cause the stain to set. Then, pre-treat the area by applying a small amount of Persil Universal Gel directly to the stain, gently rub in and let sit for 5 minutes.

For colored fabrics, always check the color fastness in an inconspicuous area first.

Wash and Rinse

After pre-treating, wash the fabric with your selected Persil detergent.

Check the Stain

Check the stain to see if it has disappeared. If it hasn’t, repeat these steps. You can also take additional steps for cleaning blood stains by soaking the garment in a Persil Universal Gel. Soak for 10 minutes, then wash the fabric again.

How to Get Blood Stains Out of Special Laundry Types and Fabrics

Pre-treating cotton shirts and denim jeans, then washing them with Persil laundry detergent may easily remove blood stains. However, do you know how to remove blood from sheets, underwear or delicate fabrics like wool or silk?

Removing blood, especially period/menstrual blood from comforters and sheets works using the steps above. Pre-treating the stained area is important, and additional soaking may be necessary depending on the stain.

Before pre-treating delicate fabrics like wool or silk, always read the label on your stain remover to make sure it is intended for use with that fabric. If not, you may be tempted to consider a natural approach to removing blood stains: salt. While Persil detergents are specially designed for stain removal and washing, salt isn’t. If not rinsed thoroughly, it can become a corrosive substance in your washing machine, reducing the machine’s lifespan.

Special Conditions of Blood Stains

Are you dealing with a dried blood stain or an old stain that you did not notice before washing and drying the clothing item? Blood stain removal after washing and drying can be difficult, but not impossible. Soak the clothing in a mixture of Persil detergent and warm (not hot) water. Pre-treat the area by applying a small amount of Persil Universal Gel (whites or coloureds) directly to the stain, gently rub in and let sit for 5 minutes. Then wash as usual for effective old blood stain removal.

Whether you skinned your knee, cut yourself shaving or were simply a little messy when moving your steak dinner from the refrigerator to the skillet, you do not have to live with blood stains on your clothing. Tackle any stain easily with these tips.