Proven methods for washing away blood spots on clothes

Maybe it’s a scraped knee that lost its bandage, a nick while shaving or a nosebleed. Whatever the situation is, you’ve got blood stains to deal with. Often, detergent is just not enough. Here are some proven methods for washing away blood spots on clothes.

• Only use cold water on a blood stain. Warm or hot water will cause the blood to clot and it will be much tougher to remove as it becomes engrained into the fibre.
• Dab the fresh stain with a sponge to absorb as much blood as possible before proceeding.
• Be gentle. Never scrub the stain, as it will only damage the fabric and make the stain worse.
• Forget the “one-size- fits- all” approach. Some materials are too delicate and require special attention.
• Whether you’ve opted for an all-natural product (vinegar) or a commercial agent (oxygenated powder), you must be sure to rinse the fabric out thoroughly afterwards.

Try your luck with a homemade solution. The steps are always the same: treat the stain, rinse it out and then wash it with detergent. If the fabric is delicate, dry it flat.

• Delicate fabrics (silk, satin, wool): Use cold water and soap. If you have cornstarch, ammonia (diluted) or another natural cleaning product on hand, soak a cotton ball in the solution and then gently dab the stain.
• Sturdy natural fibres (cotton, linen, denim): It’s best to use cold, soapy water. You can also use saltwater or diluted white vinegar to treat the area.

With fresh blood stains you're in luck, so to speak!

• If you soak the fabric in cold water overnight, it should completely disappear.
• If not, use ice cubes—as they melt it will dilute the blood. Then wash the garment normally, according to the instructions on your box of detergent.
• For delicate fabrics like satin, use flour. Let the powder absorb the blood stain. Then, then use a small attachment on your vacuum cleaner to remove the residue. Repeat as needed.
• You can also use baking soda soak up any excess blood.

Dry and embedded spots require a more heavy-duty approach.

• Soak the stain in a mixture of water and aspirin.
• A “strong-man” mix: saturate the bloodstain with peroxide just before applying a paste of water and starch. Work the solution gently into the fabric, let stand, and rinse.
• If all else fails, try treating the stain with oven cleaner. Oven cleaners are high in alkaline and are effective at neutralizing acids found in blood. This is a heavy-duty product so use it only as a last-ditch effort.

Whatever the situation, a blood stain on your clothing doesn't have to ruin your outfit if you're willing to try one of these handy tricks.