How to Get Blood Stains Out of Clothes

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This sound a little morbid, but it is a pretty common experience around our household. See, my hubby is on blood thinners and often gets a bloody nose, small cuts or scrapes which for most people isn't a problem. Simply apply a band-aid and it's done, but that's not the case for people on blood thinners. Accidentally biting your tongue, paper cuts, even scraped knee can land you in the emergency room to get the bleeding to stop.  So you can see why this has become a needed skill around my house.

But you don't have to be on blood thinners to get blood on your clothes every once in a while. Kids get cuts and scrapes all the time, and don't get me started on women's issues.

Whether it's a spot on your favorite shirt, a new pair of jeans, or whatever, you don't have to throw it away as ruined. There is a way to get that blood stain out.

First of all, treat the stain as soon as possible.

Start by soaking the item of clothing in cold (not hot or warm) water overnight. This will help get most of it out.

If the stain isn't gone after the overnight soaking - put an old rag underneath the stain (between the layers if possible) and completely wet the stained area with hydrogen peroxide. It will bubble and that's good.

Let the hydrogen peroxide air dry for an hour or so and then reapply.  Each time it will remove more and more of the stain.  You may need to repeat this step a couple times.

After most of the stain is gone. I spray with a fabric stain remover spray and put it in the washing machine on normal wash with cold water. Again, no warm or hot as this will cause the stain to set.

After the wash cycle is complete check the garment to see if the stain is completely gone. If yes - great! Now you can dry the garment. If not, spray with stain remover spray again and let it sit for an hour or so and wash again. Do not it in your dryer until the stain is removed because it will cause the stain to set.

I've used this technique to get stains out of shirts, jeans, jackets, and undergarments. It does take some time, but the garment usually comes out looking like new.