How to Remove Blood Stains on a Mattress: Effective Tips & Tricks

You spend hours each day relaxing and sleeping on your bed, so stains are an inevitability. While you might contend with a variety of stains on your mattress over the years, blood stains are notoriously difficult to get rid of.

Whether you’ve discovered a wet or dry blood stain, it’s possible to completely eliminate the spot and restore your mattress. What are some effective tips and tricks to get blood stains out of your mattress?

Why Blood Stains Are Hard to Remove

Blood is among the most challenging types of stains to remove because of its composition. It contains lipids and proteins as well as hemoglobin. Hemoglobin spurs the ability of blood to clot when exposed to the air.

Proteins in blood also bind together in higher temperatures. Lipids are able to create tight bonds with some types of synthetic materials, including those used in many mattresses.

In addition, materials like polyester, cotton and linen are absorbent, and the blood becomes trapped in the fabric fibers. Blood is even more difficult to remove when it has time to set and dry on the material.

Home Remedies to Remove Blood Stains

The good news is that there are several effective methods available to remove blood stains from your bed. These are among the best options available:

Cold Water and Soap Solution

Hot water causes blood to set, so avoid cleaning blood stains with hot water. Instead, make a cleaning solution with cold water and laundry detergent.

Using a clean rag, dab at the stain with the soapy water. This will slowly lift the blood out of the material. Replace the rag if it becomes discolored with blood. You may need to repeat this step several times until the stain is removed. You can also add a small amount of table salt to the damp rag before dabbing.

Hydrogen Peroxide Method

If you’re dealing with a tougher stain, try hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. First, apply a small amount of hydrogen peroxide on an inconspicuous area of the bed to check for discoloration.

Then, make a 50-50 solution with cold water and hydrogen peroxide. Pour the solution and a few drops of clear dish soap into a spray bottle. Sprinkle baking soda on the bed.

After 15 minutes, remove the baking soda using your vacuum’s handheld attachment. Then, apply a second layer of baking soda to the stain. Spritz the stain and baking soda with your cleaning solution. Use a scrub brush to work the baking soda and solution into the bed. Then, use a damp rag to wipe up the baking soda. Use a dry rag to dry the mattress after the stain is gone.

Baking Soda Paste

If you don’t have hydrogen peroxide on hand, you can work with baking soda and cool water. Blot up excess blood if the stain is still wet. Sprinkle baking soda on the stain.

After 15 minutes, vacuum the baking soda off the bed. Then, make a thick baking soda paste using cool or cold water. Apply the paste thickly over the stain.

After 15 minutes, use a scrub brush to work the baking soda paste deeper into the material until the stain is gone. Use a damp rag to remove the paste. Then, dry the mattress using a clean, dry rag.

Salt and Lemon Juice

To remove a blood stain from your mattress using salt and lemon juice, start with a rag dampened with cold water. Dab at the stain to lift as much of it as possible. Then, sprinkle salt on the stain. Let the salt sit on the stain for up to 10 minutes. Then, spritz lemon juice on the stain.

Use a clean rag to rub the salt and lemon juice. When the stain is no longer visible, wipe off the salt and lemon juice using a damp rag.

Dealing with Dried or Set-In Blood Stains

Blood stains are much easier to deal with if you tackle them while they’re still wet. However, if you don’t have time to deal with a stain until after it’s dry, don’t fret. First, dampen the stain using cold water.

After the stain is saturated, apply an enzyme-based stain remover to pre-treat the stain before attempting to clean it. After pre-treating the stain, using one of the methods listed above to remove the blood.

Preventing Future Stains

While mattress stains are inevitable, many of them can be prevented. The best way to keep your mattress clean and stain-free is to use a waterproof mattress cover. Choose one that completely encapsulates your bed.

In addition, identify the sources of blood stains that are most likely in your situation. For example, if you’re prone to nosebleeds at night, use saline spray before bed or a humidifier. If you’re injured, bandage the wound thoroughly before bed.

The bet time to treat blood stains and other stains is as soon as you notice them. With same-day cleaning service in Boston from Cleanzen, you can take advantage of our professional cleaning team’s expertise without delay. To schedule same-day service for your home, contact us today.