How to get large blood stains out of carpet

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If you ever see a bloodstain on your carpet, two questions will pop into your mind: “is my carpet ruined?” and “how do I get blood out of carpet?” Thankfully, your living room carpet isn’t permanently ruined — there are several ways to remove blood from carpet. And the best part? The products you need to remove the stain are probably items you already have in your bathroom or kitchen pantry. Read on to learn how to remove blood from carpet.

5 Ways to Get Blood Out of Carpet

While it’s very possible to get blood out of carpet after it’s been sitting for several hours or days, it’s best to remove blood from carpet when it’s still wet. If that’s not possible, you can still remove dried blood from carpet, even after it binds to the carpet fibers. There are various methods you can follow, but when removing dried blood, it’s best to first gently rub the stain with a steel brush to break up the deposit. Also, blotting with a cotton cloth (as opposed to rubbing) keeps you from spreading the stain.

Option 1: Use ammonia to remove dried blood

Important note: ammonia gives off toxic fumes and should be handled carefully and in small amounts. Be sure not to mix ammonia with other chemicals.

• Step 1: Combine 1 tablespoon of ammonia with half a cup of warm water. Put the solution on a sponge.
• Step 2: Blot the stain until the liquid absorbs into the sponge.
• Step 3: Use the sponge to apply cold water. Blot it dry with a cotton towel.

Option 2: Use hydrogen peroxide to remove dried blood

Important note: Hydrogen peroxide may change the color of some carpets, so it’s important that you test a hidden area first to see how the carpet reacts.

• Step 1: To test the area, take a small amount of hydrogen peroxide and apply it to a hidden area of your carpet.
• Step 2: Wait a few minutes and then check the carpet color. If it doesn’t affect the carpet’s color, apply it to the bloodstain.
• Step 3: To remove the dried blood, dip a cotton swab into the hydrogen peroxide. Apply it to the stain until it disappears.
• Step 4: After letting it soak for about an hour, take a wet washcloth and rinse the area. Then allow it to air dry.

Option 3: Use water, baking soda, and white vinegar to remove dried blood

• Step 1: Combine 2 cups of warm water, 2 cups of white vinegar, and 4 tablespoons of baking soda in a bowl or spray bottle.
• Step 2: Apply the mixture to the affected area. Let it sit for five minutes.
• Step 3: Blot the carpet dry with a clean, damp cotton cloth. Allow it to air dry.

Option 4: Use a salt paste to remove dried blood

• Step 1: Pour cold water into a bowl. Add in enough salt to create a thin paste.
• Step 2: Apply the mixture to the bloodstain. Allow it to sit for about five minutes.
• Step 3: Blot the stain with a cotton towel or rag until it’s gone. Avoid rubbing the area as that may make the stain spread.

Option 5: Use cold water to remove wet blood

• Step 1: Fill a spray bottle with cold water. Spray the wet blood area repeatedly.
• Step 2: Dab it dry using a cotton towel. Be sure to blot the affected area, rather than rub it.
• Step 3: Repeat these steps until the wet blood disappears. Allow it to air dry or use a wet vac to dry the area.

Common mistakes to avoid

Don’t use warm or hot water

It might be easy to overlook the temperature of the water, but make sure to use cold or lukewarm water to clean up bloodstains. Using warm water can cause the stain to set in even more and spread. 

Avoid using too much cleaning solution

Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as the more you spray, the cleaner it gets. Every solution leaves behind a residue. Using a lot of cleaning solution leaves behind more residue, which can attract dirt and eventually cause that pesky stain to reappear. Try to only use as much cleaner as the directions call for. 

Clean the stain as soon as possible

Try to clean up the bloodstain as soon as you can. The longer you wait, the more the stain will set in and the harder it will be to remove. 

Products you’ll need to get blood out of carpet

• Steel brush: The tough bristles on a steel brush help break up the bloodstain from the carpet fibers
• Spray bottle: A spray bottle helps you apply the mixture directly to the affected area
• Sponge: A sponge is necessary to blot the area after applying the removal mixture
• Rag: A damp rag is for dabbing the area clean
• Wet vac: A wet vac soaks up the mixture used to remove the blood

The bottom line

The good news is you can easily remove most bloodstains (wet or dry) using products that may be in your bathroom or kitchen. If all methods mentioned above don’t get blood out of your carpet, it may be necessary to consult a professional carpet cleaner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will OxiClean remove blood stains from carpet?

Yes. If you prefer a specialty cleaner rather than making your own solution at home, OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover and OxiClean Carpet & Area Rug Stain Remover Spray are both solutions with sodium percarbonate that can get bloodstains out of carpet.

How does vinegar remove blood from carpet?

Vinegar is effective in removing bloodstains from carpet due to its high acidity and antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. To use vinegar to remove blood from carpet, apply a mixture of 1 cup of vinegar and 2 cups of warm water to the stain. Repeat this process once, blot clean with a cotton cloth, and then allow it to air dry.

Can professional carpet cleaners remove bloodstains?

Most professional carpet cleaners specialize in removing stubborn stains such as blood, nail polish, coffee, makeup, berries, and more. Prior to hiring a professional carpet cleaner, it’s best to describe your carpet cleaning needs in detail to ensure they have the equipment and cleaning solution necessary to remove the stain.

Does cornstarch remove blood from carpet?

Yes. Cornstarch mixed with water to create a paste works similarly to the salt paste method. After the paste dries up, rub it off the carpet with a toothbrush.

Can you use warm water to get blood out of carpet?

No. When a removal method calls for water as a component, in most cases, the water must be cold. Warm water can actually cause the bloodstain to set in instead of helping to remove it.

How do you get large amounts of blood out of carpet?

How do you remove deep set blood stains?

How do you get old dried blood stains out of carpet?

Does vinegar get blood out of carpet?