Photography: Martina Gemmola / Styling: Ruth Welsby
Whether it’s from a blood nose or a scraped knee, there’s a strong chance you’re going to get blood on your carpet at some stage (especially if you have children). And anyone who has noticed their child’s blood nose a minute too late, will also know how tricky the blood can be to get out of carpet once it’s dry. Unfortunately, the proteins in blood are really good at clinging to fabric fibres, making it quite difficult to remove a dried stain. At the same time, the iron in the blood can oxidise and lead to discoloration, creating quite the macabre sight on your plush flooring.
So, if you’re searching for a solution for your problematic stain (don’t worry, we know there are plenty of innocent reasons for such a sight), we’re here to help. Keep reading to find out exactly how to get blood out of carpet.
Tips for getting blood out of carpet
- Act fast—try to clean up the blood stain before it dries and becomes harder to get out
- Only use cold water—hot water will produce the opposite effect, forcing the blood to thicken and set in the fibres of the carpet
- Dab the stain instead of rubbing it—rubbing will only push it deeper into the carpet
The best way to get blood out of carpet
- Apply cold water to the blood stain
- Dab the bloodstain with a clean rag
- Repeat until the blood stain has been removed
- Allow the area to air dry or dry with a fresh, dry rag
If the stain needs a little extra help then you can repeat this process, this time using a dishwashing liquid and cold water solution. Simply add a few drops of dishwashing liquid to some cold water and blot at the stain.
How to get dried blood out of carpet
If the blood stain is very stubborn, or has already dried, then you might need a stronger cleaning option, such as hydrogen peroxide or a baking soda and water paste.
Before using a hydrogren peroxide solution, its important to test the solution on a very small, discreet area of the carpet to make sure that it doesn’t cause any discolouration. If you deem it suitable, you can apply a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution to the blood stain and let it sink in for a few minutes. Then dab the stain with a clean cloth until it has completely dissapeared.
If your carpet does react to hydrogen peroxide, or you simply prefer a gentler solution, then a baking soda and water mix is your next best bet. To make this solution, combine baking soda with a little water to make a paste. Then, apply the paste straight onto the stain and let it sit for around half an hour, before starting the cold water method from the beginning.
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