A dried blood stain on a fabric can be removed, although it can be quite a challenging job when the garment has already been washed in hot water or placed in the dryer. There are many methods of attempting to recover the stained fabric; some require the use of kitchen or laundry detergents, while others are more aggressive. Be very careful when trying to treat silk, wool or other delicate fabrics.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Water and Soap
Step 1. This is the simplest method, very suitable for cotton and linen
You don't need specific tools, just a little time and elbow grease. If you want to apply this method to fabrics that tend to form balls on the surface, such as wool and most man-made fibers, you need to opt for a more delicate technique.
Step 2. Lay the fabric down so that the stain is facing down
In this way the water acts on the stain from below pushing it away from the fabric. This position is very effective especially when you rinse your head under running water.
You may need to turn the garment inside out for this
Step 3. Wet the stain with cold water
Even old stains do not fully penetrate the fabric, so it begins to remove the surface layers. Run cold water from the back of the stain and wait several minutes. Eventually the stain should get a little smaller.
Warning: never wash a blood stained fabric with hot or lukewarm water, otherwise the stain binds permanently to the fibers
Step 4. Rub the soap on the soiled area
Turn the fabric over to expose the stain in contact with the soap stick. Rub thoroughly until a thick layer of foam is produced. You can use any soap, but the Marseille soap is always the best for this purpose.
Step 5. Grab the fabric with both hands
Scrub and roll it up so that the stain rubs on itself. With one hand you hold the head still while with the other you scrub.
Step 6. Clean the stain against itself
Fold the fabric in half so that the stain surface is folded back on itself. Rub vigorously or gently (depending on the fabric) but at high speed. The friction should loosen the blood particles that will remain in the foam instead of sticking back to the fabric.
Gloves should be worn to protect the skin from abrasions or blisters. The adherent ones in latex or nitrile are excellent because they do not get in the way and guarantee a good grip
Step 7. Change the soap and water regularly as you continue scrubbing
If the fabric begins to dry or the foam disperses, rinse the stain with clean water and apply more soap. Continue with this procedure until the stain disappears. If you don't notice any improvement within 5 minutes, try to be more vigorous or use an alternative method.
Method 2 of 5: Meat Softening Powder
Step 1. You can use this method on any fabric, but you need to be especially careful with wool and silk
Meat softening powder is not very common in Italian kitchens, but with a good search you can find it in well-stocked supermarkets. It is a product that breaks down proteins and therefore makes roasts more tender; this property can be used to break down the proteins of a bloodstain. However, be aware that it may not be suitable for wool and silk because it could damage the fibers. Do a test on an invisible area of the fabric to check for any negative reactions.
Step 2. Dampen some tasteless meat powder
Pour a spoonful into a small bowl and gradually add water, stirring, to form a thick paste.
Do not use flavored powders as they may stain the laundry
Step 3. Rub the stain with the paste
Be gentle and spread the mixture on the dry spot by rubbing with your fingers. Wait for it to work for about an hour.
Step 4. Before washing, rinse the area
After an hour, remove the dust with cold water, wash the laundry as usual but let it dry in the open air, not in the dryer, because the heat could irreversibly fix residual halos.
Method 3 of 5: Enzyme Based Cleanser
Step 1. Do not use this technique on wool or silk
Enzymatic cleaners break down the proteins that form the stain. Since blood binds to tissue fibers using protein bonds, this type of cleanser is very effective. However, wool and silk are composed of proteins and could be irreparably damaged.
Step 2. Find the enzymatic cleaner
If you can't find a product that says "enzymatic" or "with enzymes" on the label, then look for laundry detergents with the words "natural" or "ecological": they are often based on enzymes.
You can do some research online to find such a cleaner
Step 3. Wash the tissue under cold running water to try to remove at least some of the dried blood
Rub it with your fingers to scrape off as much material as possible. You can also help yourself with a dull knife.
Step 4. Soak the laundry in cold water and enzymatic detergent
Dissolve about 120ml of soap in a basin of water and submerge the stained area. The soaking time depends on the type of detergent and how old the stain is. Wait at least an hour but be aware that in some cases it takes up to 8.
Alternatively, scrub the cleaner into the stain with a toothbrush before soaking the laundry
Step 5. Wash the fabric and let it dry
Proceed with the usual washing but spread the fabric in the air; using the dryer you could indelibly fix some residual marks. Let it air dry and check if there are still any stains.
Method 4 of 5: Lemon Juice and Sunlight
Step 1. This remedy is great in the summer
You have to use readily available ingredients, but then you will need mother nature to complete the process. You will also have to wait for the fabric to air dry to see if the stain is gone, so this is a bit slower than the others.
Warning: lemon juice and sunlight can damage delicate fabrics, especially silk
Step 2. Soak the stained area in cold water
Leave it to soak for a few minutes. While it remains in the bath, prepare the other materials you need. In addition to lemon juice, you need to get some salt and an airtight bag large enough to hold the fabric.
Step 3. Gently squeeze the laundry and place it in the bag
Try to remove excess water before transferring the fabric. Use a large bag.
Step 4. Add lemon juice and salt
Pour about half a liter of lemon juice and 100g of salt into the bag along with the fabric and seal it.
Step 5. "Massage" the fabric
Through the bag, squeeze the laundry so that the contents mix well, but focus mainly on the stained areas. Some of the salt will dissolve, but what will remain intact will help remove the stain with an abrasive action.
Step 6. After 10 minutes, remove the laundry from the bag
Squeeze it to get rid of excess lemon juice.
Step 7. Dry it in the sun
Spread it on the wire or place it on a flat surface in an area in full sun and not in front of a heat source. Once dry, it will be quite stiff but the stain should be gone and you can wash your laundry as usual.
Step 8. Wash the fabric as you normally would
If the stain is gone, wash the item of clothing to get rid of the salt and lemon residue. If there are still streaks, moisten the area and try putting it back in the sun.
Method 5 of 5: More Aggressive Treatments
Step 1. Understand the risks
The substances recommended in this section are strong stain removers. However, due to their strength, they could ruin and discolor your garments. It is best to limit yourself to treating white, non-delicate laundry or those fabrics with which other methods have failed.
Step 2. Test on a hidden corner of the fabric
When you have the following cleaners, moisten a cotton ball or paper towel and dab an inconspicuous corner of the fabric. Wait 5-10 minutes to assess any adverse reactions.
Step 3. Try white vinegar
This is not as harsh a cleaner as the ones that follow, but it can potentially ruin the fabric. Soak the laundry in white vinegar for half an hour, then rinse with cold water as you scrub the stain with your fingers. Repeat this process if the area has improved appearance but still has streaks.
Step 4. Try hydrogen peroxide
The commonly sold one (3%) can be poured directly onto the stain or dabbed with a cotton swab. Be very careful as it may stain colored fabrics. Keep the treated laundry in a dark place for 5-10 minutes as the light deactivates the hydrogen peroxide, then wet the area with a sponge or cloth.
Step 5. Try a blend with ammonia
Start with a "house cleaning" ammonia or "ammonium hydroxide". Dilute the product with water in equal parts and pour it on the stain. Wait 15 minutes before absorbing the mixture and rinsing the garment. If you notice adverse reactions on the angle you are testing, you can try making a more diluted solution (for example 15 ml of ammonia in a liter of water) and adding a few drops of hand soap.
- Warning: ammonia destroys the protein fibers of wool and silk.
- Household ammonia usually contains 5-10% ammonia and 90-95% water. The most concentrated solutions are highly caustic and must be further diluted.
Advice
- Test the products on the hidden parts of the fabric to make sure they do not fade and do not damage the fibers.
- Some of these removal methods can also be used on carpets, without wetting the textile fibers too much. Dab the rugs with a damp sponge and try not to soak them with water as too much moisture will damage them.
Warnings
- Always wear gloves when you come into contact with other people's blood: you could risk the transmission of some diseases.
- Do not put the fabric in the dryer until you are sure the stain is gone. The heat could set it permanently.
- Never mix bleach with ammonia, toxic fumes are formed.
