The various methods of removing blood stains from the interior of the car are more or less effective depending on the material of the upholstery. When it comes to blood, action must be taken promptly, as a dry spot is more difficult to clean. Time and heat allow the blood to settle deep into the material, thus leaving an unsightly stain; for this reason, gather everything you need, evaluate which method is best suited for your upholstery and do your best to get rid of the stain!
Steps
Method 1 of 8: Cold Salt Water (on Fabric Cover)
Step 1. Blot the stained area
You should use a cloth or paper towels to get rid of excess blood. Do not rub the surface, otherwise you will spread the stain and make it penetrate deep into the fibers. Simply pat the area to be treated to remove as much blood as possible, changing the cloth or piece of absorbent paper when necessary.
Step 2. Make a solution of water and salt
Mix 30g of salt in 240ml of cold water and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Warm or hot water fixes the stain in the fabric, irreversibly damaging the seat, so check that it is cold water before using it on the upholstery.
Step 3. Spray the saline solution on the stain
If you don't have a spray bottle, dip a white cloth in salt water and pat the area to be treated, changing the rag as needed.
If the stain is large, start cleaning it from the edges by moving towards the center to prevent the dirty surface from spreading
Step 4. Blot the fabric with a dry cloth to absorb the excess solution
Keep spraying and blotting the surface until the blood stain is gone or the cloth can absorb more blood.
Step 5. Rinse the soiled area thoroughly
Take a rag soaked in cold water and wipe off the residual saline solution. Avoid rubbing the fabric; just dab to effectively absorb traces of water and salt.
Step 6. Dry the seat
Use a dry cloth or paper towel and pat the area gently, pressing lightly. If you still notice a halo, then you may have an indelible stain on the upholstery, but you can give it a try with a more aggressive method.
Method 2 of 8: Soap and Water for Dishes (on Fabric Cover)
Step 1. Prepare a solution of cold water and dish soap
Dissolve 15ml of liquid detergent in 480ml of cold water in a large bowl.
Step 2. Apply the solution to the dirty surface
First, soak a clean white cloth in the soapy solution and then place it on the stain.
Step 3. Brush the fabric gently
A regular laundry brush may be too aggressive and push the blood particles deep. For this reason, it is best to use a toothbrush, which prevents you from applying excessive pressure, spreading the stain and irreversibly damaging the upholstery.
Step 4. Blot the area
With the help of a clean, damp cloth, rinse the seat by dabbing it. In the case of stubborn stains, apply the soapy solution a second time and repeat the entire procedure. After scrubbing again with the toothbrush, remember to rinse the upholstery with a clean, damp cloth.
Step 5. Go to the final rinse
At this point you can finish the job by removing the soap residue with a clean cloth and soaked in cold water. Dab it on the surface to rinse it off thoroughly.
Step 6. Dry the fabric
Use a towel to absorb excess moisture, continue this way until the surface is almost completely dry.
Method 3 of 8: Sodium Bicarbonate (on Fabric Cover)
Step 1. Make a baking soda mixture
Mix one part of baking soda with two parts of cold water in a large bowl.
The chemical properties of bicarbonate make it an effective and economical stain remover
Step 2. Apply the solution
Use a clean rag for this. Let the cleaner work for 30 minutes before trying to rinse the stain.
Step 3. Rinse the fabric
Soak a cloth in cold water and wipe away any baking soda residue from the upholstery. Always just blot until you have removed most of the stain.
Step 4. Dry the area
Blot the seat with a dry cloth to absorb excess moisture from the seat fabric.
Method 4 of 8: Enzymes to Soften Meat (on Fabric Cover)
Step 1. Prepare the cleaning solution
Combine 1 tablespoon of meat-softening enzymes (you can find them at the supermarket) with two teaspoons of cold water. Stir until you get a kind of paste with a uniform consistency.
This kind of enzymes is used in cooking to make meat more tender; since its function is to "dissolve" proteins, it is also perfect for removing old blood stains
Step 2. Apply a generous amount of paste to the stain
You can use your fingers to spread it evenly on the fabric. You can also scrub the surface a little, without applying too much pressure. At this point you just have to wait for about an hour.
Step 3. Eliminate the excess dough
Use a dry cloth to remove the surface layer of cleaning product, taking care not to spread the stain or to dirty other areas of the seat with the blood residues absorbed by the enzymes.
Step 4. Rinse the upholstery
To clean any traces of slurry, take a cloth dipped in cold water and gently pat the seat until you no longer notice any detergent or blood residue. Do a careful job, because if the enzymes remain on the upholstery they could stain it again.
Step 5. Dry the surface
Absorb excess moisture by blotting the fabric with a clean towel.
Method 5 of 8: Hydrogen Peroxide (on Fabric Cover)
Step 1. Apply hydrogen peroxide directly to the stain
Wet the dirty upholstery with 3% hydrogen peroxide and let it sit for 30 seconds. Check the shutter speed carefully otherwise the liquid could damage the fabric.
Hydrogen peroxide, while very effective against blood stains, should be used as a last resort. Since it tends to whiten surfaces, it can weaken the seat fabric or, in some cases, discolor it. Test in a hidden corner of the wallpaper first
Step 2. Blot the foam that forms on the surface using a clean dry rag
If you still notice streaks after this, you can repeat the entire process until the stain is gone.
Step 3. Rinse the fabric
Use a cloth moistened well with cold water to remove any residual hydrogen peroxide. Make sure you remove the product completely, otherwise you could damage or discolor the coating.
Step 4. Dry the seat
Blot the surface with a clean towel to remove as much moisture as possible and let the air do the job.
Method 6 of 8: Ammonia and Liquid Dish Soap (on Vinyl Coating)
Step 1. Prepare a cleaning solution
Mix half a teaspoon of liquid dish soap with a tablespoon of ammonia and pour it into a spray bottle. Fill the bottle halfway with cold water and shake it to mix the ingredients.
Ammonia is a very powerful detergent, capable of degrading the blood proteins that make it so difficult to remove stains. However, it is important to dilute this chemical and, as with all other cleaners, you should test a hidden corner of the upholstery before using it
Step 2. Apply the solution
Spray it on the bloodstain and wait five minutes. In this way the detergent can act in depth and guarantees you a better result.
Step 3. Scrub the surface
You don't have to be too aggressive, and to prevent this from happening, use a toothbrush to clean the stained area.
Step 4. Blot the area with a clean rag
Keep spraying, scrubbing, and blotting the stain until any halo has disappeared or you no longer see any blood on the cloth.
Step 5. Rinse the surface
Remove the residual ammonia and soap with a cloth dipped in cold water. It is very important to rinse thoroughly, because ammonia residues can damage the seat.
Step 6. Dry the liner
Absorb as much moisture as possible by blotting the seat with a towel; then wait for it to dry completely in the open air.
Method 7 of 8: Dish Soap and Water (on Leather Cover)
Step 1. Prepare the cleaning solution
Add half a tablespoon of liquid dish soap to a small amount of water in a bowl. Stir until the soap is completely dissolved.
Soapy water removes blood stains from the skin, but the harsher the detergent, the greater the risk of damaging the leather. For this reason, use a mild soap and test a hidden area of the upholstery first to make sure it is suitable for the seat material
Step 2. Shake the solution
Stir in the soapy water until a lot of foam forms. This is much more effective for your purposes.
Step 3. Moisten a soft cloth with the solution
If you scrub the leather with a brush or a rough rag you risk damaging the surface, especially if it is very soft and high quality leather. Dip the cloth in the foam and dampen it well before attempting to clean the stain.
Step 4. Rub the surface gently
Repeatedly wipe the seat with a cloth, pressing lightly, until the blood begins to remain on the cloth. For stubborn stains it will be necessary to repeat the process several times, but know that when the rag no longer gets dirty, it means that you have raised as much blood as possible.
Step 5. Rinse the seat
For this operation, use a clean, damp cloth. Do a careful job, because the soap can leave a film on the skin or damage it.
Step 6. Wipe away excess moisture
Take a towel and dab it on the upholstery; when you have removed as much water as possible, allow the surface to air dry.
Step 7. Apply a leather softener
This product protects the seat from future stains and seals the surface hydrating it and avoiding cracks. You can buy it in auto shops, well-stocked supermarkets and DIY stores.
Method 8 of 8: Cream of Tartar (on Leather Cover)
Step 1. Prepare the cleaner
Combine one part of cream of tartar with the same lemon juice in a small bowl. Stir to create a smooth paste before applying it to the dirty surface.
Cream of tartar is very useful for removing dark-colored stains, such as blood, from the leather
Step 2. Spread the paste on the stain
You can use a toothbrush for this and gently scrub the leather. Wait for it to work for 10 minutes before moving on to the next steps.
Step 3. Remove the product and reapply if necessary
You can use a damp rag to remove the cream of tartar. If the stain has not completely disappeared, repeat the process until you no longer notice any streaks or are able to remove any more blood residue.
Step 4. Rinse the seat
Take a clean, damp cloth to wipe off any traces of cleaner. Do a careful job, as the dough could damage the leather.
Step 5. Dry the liner
In this case, use a towel to absorb as much moisture as possible and let the air finish the job.
Step 6. Apply a leather softener
This product protects the seat from future stains and seals the surface hydrating it, so that it does not crack over time. You can buy it in auto shops, well-stocked supermarkets or do-it-yourself centers.
Advice
- Remember to mix and apply only the minimum amount of detergent needed to the stain. If you use too much liquid you could damage the upholstery and spread the stain.
- If the blood is already dry, scrape or brush it to remove most of the encrusted surface before proceeding with a cleaning method.
- If you have decided to use a commercial stain remover, make sure it is specific for dissolving blood proteins. Even industrial cleaners are sometimes unable to remove blood stains if they do not contain proteolytic enzymes.
Warnings
- Do not use an alkaline cleaner on leather upholstery as it will damage the finish.
- Avoid oily cleaners on vinyl as they harden it.
- Never mix ammonia with bleach as very dangerous vapors would develop.
- Do not apply heat to the blood stains. The heat "cooks" the blood proteins and fixes the stains.
- Use great caution when cleaning leather, the surface is very delicate and easily damaged.
- Do not use harsh cleaners, solvents or abrasives on leather or vinyl upholstery; all these products could damage the material.
- When treating blood stains that don't belong to you, wear gloves to protect yourself from infectious diseases.
- Do not inhale ammonia vapors as they are toxic.
