Getting blood on sheets or clothing can happen to anyone and, while they may appear to be difficult to wash out, blood stains are usually removable when treated correctly.
The key is knowing whether the stain is fresh or dried and using the right method from the start. Simple household items like cold water, hydrogen peroxide or baking soda are often effective, but it’s important to avoid hot water, which can permanently set the stain.
With patience and the right approach, most blood stains can be lifted without damaging your fabric.
Quick answer: how to remove blood stains
- Use cold water only
- Treat fresh stains immediately
- For dried stains, be patient and repeat steps
- Common solutions include hydrogen peroxide, enzyme-based detergents and baking soda
- Do not rub the fabric or use heat
How to remove blood stains from sheets
What you'll need
Cold water
Hydrogen peroxide/enzyme solution
Clean cloth
Basin or small bucket
For fresh blood stains
- Remove the sheet from the bed as soon as possible.
- Rinse the stained area under cold running water, flushing the stain from the back of the fabric.
- Gently blot (do not rub) with a clean cloth to lift remaining blood.
- Repeat the rinse if needed until the stain fades.
- Wash as usual in cold water and air dry.
For dried blood stains
- Soak the stained area in cold water for at least 30 minutes.
- Apply 3% hydrogen peroxide directly to the stain (for white or light colours only), or use a paste made from baking soda and water. Darker fabrics may require an enzyme-based stain remover.
- Let it sit for 10–15 minutes, then blot gently.
- Rinse with cold water and repeat if necessary.
- Wash in cold water and allow to air dry before checking the stain.
How to remove blood stains from clothing
What you'll need
Cold water
Mild detergent
Hydrogen peroxide/enzyme solution
Clean cloth
Basin or small bucket
For fresh blood stains
- Remove the garment as soon as possible.
- Rinse the stained area under cold running water, flushing the stain from the back of the fabric.
- Work a small amount of mild laundry detergent directly into the stain using your fingers.
- Gently blot (do not rub) with a clean cloth to lift remaining blood.
- Repeat the rinse if needed until the stain fades.
- Wash the garment according to its care label using cold water, then air dry. Avoid using a clothes dryer until the blood is gone, as heat can permanently set any remaining stain.
For dried blood stains
- Soak the stained area in cold water for at least 30 minutes.
- Gently rub a small amount of laundry detergent into the stain.
- Apply 3% hydrogen peroxide directly to the stain (for white or light colours only), or use a paste made from baking soda and water. Darker fabrics may require an enzyme-based stain remover.
- Let it sit for 10–15 minutes, then blot gently.
- Rinse with cold water and repeat if necessary.
- Wash the garment according to its care label using cold water, then air dry. Avoid using a clothes dryer until the blood is gone, as heat can permanently set any remaining stain.
What not to do when removing blood stains
Don’t use hot water, as heat causes the proteins in blood to bind to fibres, making the stain much more difficult or even impossible to remove completely. Always use cold water when rinsing or washing blood-stained fabrics.
Don’t rub the stain aggressively, as this can push the blood deeper into the fibres and may damage delicate fabrics. Instead, blot gently and allow your chosen stain remover to do most of the work.
Don’t put the garment in the dryer until the stain is completely gone. The high heat from a tumble dryer can permanently set any remaining traces of blood, making them far harder to remove. If the stain is still visible after washing, repeat the treatment and let the garment air dry instead.
Don’t mix cleaning agents together, particularly products containing bleach, ammonia or other strong chemicals. Combining certain cleaners can reduce their effectiveness, damage fabrics, or even produce hazardous fumes. Use one cleaning method at a time and rinse thoroughly before trying another if needed.
Can blood stains be completely removed?
Blood stains are usually removable if treated promptly and with the right cleaning method. Fresh stains are generally much easier to lift than dried ones, especially when rinsed with cold water before they have time to set into the fabric.
How easily a stain comes out depends on several factors, including the type of fabric, how long the blood has been left untreated, and whether the garment has been exposed to heat from hot water, an iron or a clothes dryer. Heat can permanently bond the proteins in blood to the fabric fibres, making the stain much more difficult to remove.
Even if the stain has dried, the garment is not necessarily ruined. Older blood stains often respond well to repeated soaking and stain treatments, although they may require a little more time and patience. Repeat the treatment and allow the garment to air dry between washes until the stain has disappeared completely.
Removing blood from different fabrics
- Cotton: Cotton is one of the easiest fabrics to treat because it is durable and highly absorbent. Rinse the stain with cold water as soon as possible, then apply a small amount of laundry detergent or hydrogen peroxide (for white or colourfast cotton) before washing according to the care label.
- Linen: Linen fibres can be more delicate, so it’s important to treat stains gently. Blot rather than rub the affected area, and use cold water with a baking soda paste or a mild detergent to help lift the stain without damaging the fabric.
- Coloured fabrics: Take extra care to avoid fading or discolouration. Before using hydrogen peroxide or any stain remover, test it on a hidden area of the garment. If you’re unsure, a baking soda paste or mild laundry detergent is often a safer alternative.
- Delicate fabrics: Materials such as silk, wool and lace require a gentler approach. Avoid vigorous scrubbing or prolonged soaking, as this can weaken or distort the fibres. Instead, spot clean carefully with cold water and a mild detergent, following the garment’s care label. For valuable or dry-clean-only items, professional cleaning is usually the safest option.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get dried blood stains out of sheets?
Soak the stained area in cold water, then apply hydrogen peroxide (for white or light-coloured sheets) or a baking soda paste. Blot gently, rinse with cold water and repeat if needed before washing.
Can blood come out of bed sheets?
Yes. In most cases, blood stains can be removed from bed sheets if treated correctly, especially when cold water is used and heat is avoided.
Does vinegar remove old blood stains?
Vinegar may help lighten some stains, but it’s generally less effective on blood than hydrogen peroxide or baking soda. It can be used cautiously, but results may vary depending on the fabric and age of the stain.
Does baking soda remove blood stains?
Yes. Baking soda can help lift blood stains, particularly dried ones, by breaking down the stain when mixed with water into a paste and applied patiently.
