How to remove blood stains
A protein stain — cold water only, or you’ll cook it in. Here's the safe way to lift a blood stain — these steps work for most fabrics, and you can tailor them to yours in the tool below.
Good odds
Usually lifts if you treat it promptly.
Do this now
- 1
Rinse the back of the stain under cold running water straight away.
- 2
Soak in cold water for 15–30 minutes; dab fresh stains with a little hydrogen peroxide on colour-safe fabrics.
- 3
Work in enzyme detergent and leave 15 minutes.
- 4
Wash cold. Repeat before drying if any shadow remains.
Use
- Cold water
- Enzyme detergent
- Hydrogen peroxide (whites)
Avoid
- Hot or warm water
- Tumble drying before it’s gone
- Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia, alcohol, rust remover, or other cleaners.
- Use only one stain-removal chemical at a time, then rinse before trying another.
Good to know
These steps suit most washable fabrics. Choose your fabric to tailor them — gentler for wool, silk and other delicates, firmer for cotton and denim.