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Blood stains on carpets from cuts, menstrual periods, food preparation, or pets are some of the most common. Stains can be permanent if not treated quickly or properly, but they are easily cleaned with cool water, dish soap, and hydrogen peroxide.
Read on to learn the best methods for removing fresh and dried blood stains from carpet.
Before start
Never use hot water to treat a blood stain. Hot water will “cook” the proteins in the blood, making the stain more difficult to remove.
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How to remove blood stains from carpet
Spruce/Sanja Kostic
When cleaning fresh or dried blood stains from carpets, wear disposable or washable gloves. If the stain is fresh, use several layers of paper towels to blot up the blood until no more blood remains on the towels.
If the blood has dried, use a stiff-bristled nylon brush to dislodge the dried blood from the fabric fibers. Vacuum up any loose particles before treating the remaining stain on the carpet.
Use dish soap and cold water
- In a small bowl or bucket, mix one tablespoon of dish soap and two cups of cool water. Prepare a second bucket with about two cups of filtered water.
- Dip a soft-bristled nylon brush into the solution.
- Start at the outer edge of the stain and work your way toward the center to keep the stain from spreading.
- Rub gently and blot repeatedly with paper towels as the blood thins. The paper towels will lift the blood from the fabric fibers.
- Once there is no more color on the towel, use a microfiber towel dipped in plain water to rinse the carpet.
- Blot with a paper towel until no more moisture is absorbed into the towel, let the area air dry, and then vacuum to lift the fibers. This cleaning method is most effective on fresh stains.
Use washing powder
Strong detergents contain enzymes that break down blood molecules so they can more easily separate from carpet fibers.
- In a small bowl or bucket, mix one teaspoon of liquid detergent and two cups of cool water.
- Fill at least two cups of cool, clean water into another bowl or bucket. Dip a soft-bristled nylon brush into the cleaning solution.
- Start at the outer edge of the stain and work your way toward the center to keep the stain from spreading.
- Rub gently and blot repeatedly with tissue until the blood is thinner.
- Once there is no more color on the paper towel, use a microfiber towel dipped in clean water to rinse the carpet and remove any soap residue.
- Blot with a paper towel until no moisture is absorbed into the towel and allow the area to air dry. This cleaning method is effective on fresh and dried blood stains.
Uses of Household Ammonia
After cleaning the blood stain with a solution of dish soap and cold water or laundry detergent and cold water if the carpet is still discolored, you can use household ammonia to treat the stain on synthetic carpets.
Do not use ammonia on wool carpets as it may cause the carpet fibers to become brittle.
- To treat remaining stains, mix one tablespoon of household ammonia with half a 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 with clean water and blot the carpet dry.
Using Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide will remove any remaining stains on the carpet after cleaning the blood stain with the soap solution. It works best on light-colored carpets—it’s a mild bleach, but safe to use on wool.
To treat stains, dip a cotton swab in hydrogen peroxide and apply from the outer edge of the discoloration toward the center. Leave for five minutes, rinse by blotting the carpet with a damp cloth, and let dry.
Cleaning tips
Always test the colorfastness of your carpet first in an inconspicuous area by placing a few drops of hydrogen peroxide on the carpet fibers and allowing to dry. Check to see if the color changes.
Use an oxygen-based bleach
Oxygen bleach should not be used on wool carpets.
- Dissolve oxygen bleach powder in a little warm water according to label directions.
- Soak the solution into the discolored carpet area and leave for at least 30 minutes.
- Blot the stained area with a dry towel, allow the area to air dry and repeat if necessary.
Use a commercial carpet stain remover
When using a commercial carpet stain remover, always read and follow the product label instructions carefully to ensure it is safe for your type of carpet and effective on blood stains.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Unless the stain is large and has soaked into the carpet backing, fresh blood stains are easy to remove with just dish soap or a specialized laundry detergent and cold water.
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To remove blood stains from light-colored carpets, the best stain remover depends on the type of carpet you have. Wool carpets, a natural fiber, should be treated with hydrogen peroxide. Carpets made from synthetic fibers such as polyester, acrylic, and olefin, can be treated with hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, or oxygen bleach.
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Yes. Dried blood stains may require multiple treatments to remove all traces of the stain but they will usually wash out of the carpet. However, if the blood stain has been left untreated for weeks, is large or has penetrated into the carpet padding, the situation may be considered a biohazard and the carpet will need to be remediated or removed completely.
