What would you do if you got blood on your carpet? Seeing blood dripping can trigger many negative emotions and might make some people dizzy. But if you accidentally cut your finger or foot, there will be more to deal with, as you might end up with a challenging and hard-to-remove stain on your rug.
The Cleaning Day carpet cleaners will tell you how to remove blood from a carpet without damaging its fibres or causing any discolouration. So, let’s dive in.
How to Remove Blood From Carpet
If possible, you should deal with a blood stain as soon as it happens. This might not be possible if you’ve cut yourself because you’ll have to treat the wound first. Some people also get triggered by the sight of blood, so they might be unable to tackle a fresh stain.
Once ready, you’ll have several potent cleaning solutions to save your carpet from permanent damage. Yet we have two tips to share with you.
First, blot as much of the liquid as possible before it dries without rubbing it. Blotting and dabbing reduce the blood you must deal with, but rubbing it will settle deeper into the carpets’ fibres.
Second, avoid using hot water to remove blood. Hot water or heat generally cooks the proteins in the blood and makes the stain permanent.
With these two tips, you can try the following solutions to eliminate old and new blood stains.
Using Cold Water
This effortless method can work if you have a tiny dry drop of blood on your carpet. It’s straightforward and cheap, but it works.
Adding water to a dry blood drop makes it a liquid and easier to remove. Here’s how to use water to clean blood stains.
- Pour some cold water onto the carpet.
- Use a light-coloured, clean rag to blot the area.
- Reapply the water and repeat the process until the stain has disappeared.
- Use a wet vacuum to clean the spot.
- Let your carpet air dry.
Learn more: How to Remove Ink from Carpet
Using Vinegar
Vinegar is another good solution if you have a tiny drop of blood on your rug. It might not remove bigger stains, but it can be combined with other cleaning methods to make removing the spot easier.
The acid in the vinegar will break down the stain particles, making it less challenging to remove. Here’s how to use it.
- Mix one part of vinegar with two parts of water.
- Soak a clean rag into this cleaning solution, and start working on the stain from the outside towards the centre.
- Blot the stain, clean the rag, and repeat the process.
- Once the stain has faded, use water to rinse the spot.
- Allow it to air dry.
Learn more: How To Remove Rust From Carpet
Using Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is your go-to solution for stubborn stains. It can even work if you have a nasty big spot that has been ruining the look of your carpet for years.
The only problem with hydrogen peroxide is that it can bleach your rug itself. So, while removing a stubborn blood stain, you might end up with fading or discolouration, so you should do a patch test first. Here’s how to use it.
- Pour hydrogen peroxide onto your carpet or apply it to a clean rag.
- Use the rag to clean the spot slowly, tackling the outer corners first and moving towards the centre.
- Use a brush to work the stain to break down its particles.
- Rinse the spot with cold water and blot it dry with a clean rag.
- Let your carpet air dry.
Using Salt
Thanks to its abrasive nature, salt can work on old and dry blood stains. It helps lift the blood particles of the stains so they can become easier to remove. At the same time, it won’t cause any discolouration. Here’s how to use salt to remove blood stains.
- Mix some water with salt to create a thick paste.
- Use a soft brush to work this paste into a dry blood stain.
- Let the paste sit for about 30 minutes.
- Dab the stain with a clean, light-coloured rag until you remove all the paste.
- Allow the carpet to air dry.
Using Potato Starch
Potato starch soaks up moisture, making it an excellent treatment for a fresh blood stain. Here’s how to use it.
- Sprinkle some potato starch onto the carpet or prepare a paste of cornstarch and water.
- Let it sit on your carpet for at least 24 hours.
- Use a vacuum cleaner to remove the powder.
Using Baking Soda and Vinegar
Baking soda and vinegar is one of the safest and most potent cleaning combos. When you mix these two ingredients, bubbles form due to a chemical reaction that can break the toughest stains.
This combo will also help remove foul odours, making your carpet smell fresh and clean. Here’s how to use it.
- Mix two cups of white vinegar with four tablespoons of baking soda.
- Pour this cleaning solution onto the carpet and let it sit for 30 minutes.
- Use a damp rag to blot the spot and remove the solution.
- Let the carpet air dry.
Using an Enzyme Cleaner
Enzyme cleaners contain non-pathogenic bacteria that break down organic waste. They are the most potent cleaners for tough and old blood stains, mould, and body fluids.
Before using an enzyme cleaner on your carpet, test it to see if it causes damage. Then, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid ruining your carpet.
Wrap Up
Luckily, there are several suitable cleaning methods for removing old and new blood stains on your carpet. You might need to experiment with several solutions until you find one that works without damaging its fibres.
It’s crucial to do a patch test before using any cleaning method. You should also avoid using hot water because it will cook the proteins in the blood and make your stain permanent.