Household Hints & Help
Related: About this forumI've heard for ages to use hydrogen peroxide to remove bloodstains, but IME it doesn't work well.
I tried to use it recently, and it slightly bleached the stain. In the end, I used diluted clorox to remove it.
I have a theory that it used to work when cloth was made from the natural fibers, and now that most everything
has some synthetic material in it, it doesn't work so well. Whether this is the case or not, I can't prove it.
Anyway, I don't think hydrogen peroxide works well to remove bloodstains.
Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)I can't say what my sheets are made out of, but I had a cat bleed on the sheets. I will admit that I dealt with it immediately. I put it on, let it bubble up, toweled it off and it was faded so I put the H2O2 on again and left it for a while. The spot was gone.
My neighbor had a nose bleed and got blood in a large spot on her carpet, which I expect was synthetic material. She had tried to clean it and couldn't get it out so we tried H2O2 on it. It took four applications and leaving it on for quite a while each time with dabbing it as dry as we could between applications, but you would never know it was there now.
I am sure that you are right about some fabrics being more difficult than others, and I do know that it took persistence on both occasions that I use it, but it is now my first choice for removing any stain that is organic.
raccoon
(31,454 posts)In my case, it had been several days since the stain occurred.
Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)That is the most important thing. It is just too bad that you had to use a Clorox product instead of something less harsh...but it happens. I just always try the least harmful solution first, and move up from there if it doesn't work, just as you did.
freeplessinseattle
(3,508 posts)I've tried it a few times, but in conjunction with hydrogen peroxide.
Response to raccoon (Original post)
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TexasBushwhacker
(20,667 posts)Regular H2O2 is pretty dilute. I find the Oxy products work better.
DetlefK
(16,455 posts)1. Fold the fabric in a way that the blood-stain is on top and somewhat centered.
2. Put it in a flat bin. Add cold water until the blood-stain is almost underwater. Remember to press air-bubbles out of the piece of clothing while adding the water.
3. Take a pinch of washing-powder and massage it into the blood-stain. Make sure to not only rub it into the center of the stain but the whole stain.
4. Let it rest for a few days. If it's a strong stain, repeat procedure every day.
5. When the washing-powder has removed the stain, wash the piece in a normal procedure.
Tried this twice and it worked without problems.
blue neen
(12,423 posts)My son had constant bloody noses as a child, many happening in his sleep. The blood would be dried. Rub some Era on to pre-treat, then wash as usual. Works like a charm...and you can use it as your regular detergent, so no extra expense.
It's very good on grass stains, also.
LaydeeBug
(10,291 posts)than Clorox for colors. My grandparents owned a dry cleaners. Trust me, I have tried everything.