How to Get Blood Stains Out of Carpet 6 Simple Ways

A blood stain on a carpet from a cut, menstrual cycle, food preparation, or a pet is one of the most common stains. The stains can be permanent if you don’t treat them quickly or correctly, but they are easy to clean with cool water, dishwashing liquid, and hydrogen peroxide.

Read on to learn the best methods for removing fresh and dried blood stains from carpets.

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How to Get Blood Stains Out of Carpet

When cleaning fresh or dried blood stains from carpet, slip on some disposable or washable gloves. If the stain is fresh, use several layers of paper towels to blot away blood until no more is transferred to the towels.

If the blood has dried, use a stiff-bristled nylon brush to loosen the dried blood from the fibers. Vacuum the loose particles away before treating the stain remaining on the carpet.

Using Dish Soap and Cold Water

• In a small bowl or bucket, mix one teaspoon of dish soap and two cups of cool water. Prepare a second bucket with about two cups of plain water.
• Dip a soft-bristled nylon brush into the solution.
• Start at the outside edge of the stain and work toward the center to keep the stain from spreading.
• Scrub gently and blot repeatedly with the paper towels as the blood is diluted. The towels will lift it from the fibers.
• When no more color is transferred to the towels, use a microfiber cloth dipped in plain water to rinse the carpet.
• Blot with paper towels until no more moisture is transferred to the towels, and allow the area to air-dry and then vacuum to lift the fibers. This cleaning method works best on fresh stains.

Using Laundry Detergent

Heavy-duty laundry detergents contain enzymes that will break apart the molecules in blood so they release more easily from carpet fibers.

• In a small bowl or bucket, mix one teaspoon of heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent and two cups of cool water.
• Fill another bowl or bucket with at least two cups of cool, plain water. Dip a soft-bristled nylon brush into the detergent solution.
• Start at the outside edge of the stain and work toward the center to keep the stain from spreading.
• Scrub gently and blot repeatedly with the paper towels as the blood is diluted.
• When no more color is transferred to the paper towels, use a microfiber cloth dipped in plain water to rinse the carpet and remove the soapy residue.
• Blot with paper towels until no more moisture is transferred to the towels and allow the area to air-dry. This cleaning method is effective on fresh and dried blood stains.

Using Household Ammonia

After cleaning the blood stain with either a solution of dishwashing liquid and cold water or laundry detergent and cold water if there is still discoloration on the carpet, household ammonia can be used to treat the stain on synthetic carpets.

Do not use ammonia on wool carpets or the fibers can become brittle.

• To treat the remaining stain, mix one tablespoon of household ammonia with one-half cup of cool water.
• Use a sponge or microfiber cloth to apply the mixture to the stain.
• Then, blot with paper towels until the liquid is absorbed.
• Rinse the area by sponging with plain water and blotting the carpet dry.

Using Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide will remove any discoloration remaining on the carpet after cleaning the blood stain with a soapy solution. It works best on light-colored carpets—it is a mild bleach, but it is safe to use on wool fibers.

To treat the stain, dip a cotton swab in hydrogen peroxide and apply it from the outside edges of the discoloration toward the center. Let it work for five minutes, rinse by blotting the carpet with a damp cloth, and air dry.

Using Oxygen-Based Bleach

Oxygen bleach should not be used on wool carpet.

• Dissolve oxygen-based bleach powder in some lukewarm water following the label directions.
• Saturate the discolored area of the carpet with the solution and allow it to work for at least 30 minutes.
• Blot the stained area with a dry cloth, allow the area to air dry, and repeat if needed.

Using a Commercial Carpet Stain Remover

When using a commercial carpet stain remover, always read and follow the product label directions carefully to be sure it is safe for your type of carpet and is effective on blood stains.