How to remove blood stains
A protein stain: the #1 rule is cold water, never hot.
- Difficulty:
- moderate
- Water:
- COLD water only — hot water cooks the protein and sets it for good.
Heat sets this stain. Use cool water and don’t tumble-dry or iron until it’s completely gone.
Step by step
- Rinse or soak in COLD water as soon as possible, from the back of the fabric.
- Rub a little enzyme-based detergent into the stain and soak in cold water for 15–30 minutes.
- For dried blood, soak in cool water with an enzyme product, then gently loosen the crust.
- Launder in cold water, air-dry, and check before any heat.
Do
- ✓ Use cold water immediately
- ✓ Reach for an enzyme detergent
Don’t
- ✗ Never use hot or warm water
- ✗ Don't iron or tumble-dry until it's gone
Before you start
- • Act fast. Fresh stains lift far more easily than ones that have set.
- • Blot, don't rub — rubbing drives the stain deeper and frays the fibers. Work from the back of the fabric to push it out the way it came in.
- • Check the care label first. Never exceed the garment's maximum temperature; if it says wash cold or dry-clean only, follow it.
- • Test any treatment (oxygen bleach, hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, vinegar) on a hidden seam first — some can strip color.
- • Never tumble-dry until the stain is completely gone. Dryer heat sets most stains permanently — air-dry and check, then re-treat if needed.
Guidance follows American Cleaning Institute — cleaning tips . Always defer to the garment’s own care label.