How to Get Dried Blood Out of Carpet

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Though most carpets come with anti-stain treatment, some body fluids, like blood-stains, makeups, beverages and foods might leave stains that just keep annoying you. In most cases, it's easy to get blood out of carpets and completely remove the blood stain if you use the correct materials and methods.

We recommend professional cleaning agents to remove blood stains from your carpet. Never use chlorinated agents or bleaching agents to get blood out of carpets, as these might discolour your carpet.

Egecarpet's Expert Guide On How to Get Blood Out of Carpets

When it comes to getting blood out of carpets – or removing any kind of stain from a carpet for that matter – the key thing to remember is that the sooner you act, the better result you're likely to get.

If you're unsure how to get the blood out of your carpet, you should follow these 1 to 3 first aid steps as the very first thing when discovering your stain of fresh or dried blood. Again, the faster you take action, the greater the chances of removing the blood stain from your carpet.

When you're cleaning the blood stains from the carpet, remember to always work from the edge of the blood stain towards the centre. To prevent the cleaned area from quickly becoming soiled again after treatment, it is important to rinse off and blot up the remaining stain-removing agent.

Step #1: Wipe up any excess blood on the carpet

If the bloodstain on the carpet is fresh, first wipe up the blood with a dry, white cloth or non-dyed absorbent paper. You can, for instance, use kitchen paper towels to gently dap the blood stain.

Note: Do not rub as this might increase the blood stain. Instead, the stain should be blotted off and then you're ready for the next step in our guide to removing blood from a carpet.

Step #2: Dissolve the blood stain in lukewarm water

The next step when you want to get blood out of carpets is to apply cold water to the blood stain (without soap, washing powder, liquid detergent or any similar agents). It is important to use cold water to remove blood from carpets because warm water follows that blood clots faster and makes the stain removing more tricky. Dab the area gently with a damp cloth, and then absorb as much of the liquid as possible by blotting with a dry, white cloth.

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Step #3: Apply potato starch to the stain

After you've dissolved the blood stain on your carpet in lukewarm, you should drizzle potato starch on the stain and leave it to dry for 24 hours before vacuuming the carpet.
More often than not, the first three steps in this guide will be enough to get the blood out of the carpet – but if you're still not happy with the result, continue on to step #4 below for another trick on how to remove blood from the carpet.

Step #4: Use a carpet stain remover on the blood stain

If the blood stain on your carpet is not completely removed after you've dissolved it in water and potato starch, your next step is to try a universal stain-removing agent. This is a little harsher on your carpets so be gentle when attempting to remove blood stains from carpets with stain-removing agents. See the instructions for use on the product's packaging for further guidelines.

Still not happy? Read these extra tips on how to get blood out of carpets

If first aid steps 1 to 4 do not get the blood stain out of your carpet, do as follows: Dab with a cloth dipped in a solution of cold water and salt (2 tbsp. salt per liter of water). Keep dapping until the blood come loose of the carpet fiber and make sure only to use as little water and salt solution as possible.

If none of the preceding steps gets the blood out of the carpet, the blood stain must be treated using a special stain-removing agent. In general, the use and dosage instructions must be followed closely, and treatment should not take place on moist areas. Instead, the area should be left to dry before the special agent is applied to the blood stain(s).

If the treatment leaves a mark, this may indicate that the carpet is generally soiled and needs to be cleaned. If the stain re-appears after treatment, this is usually because there is still some stain-removing agent or stain residue left in the carpet. In this case, the area should be treated again according to the guidelines described in first aid step 3.

The first time a new cleaning agent or stain remover is used on the carpet, you should check whether the agent may damage the carpet. Damage occurs from colour bleed, discolouration, bleaching or dissolution. To avoid this, test both cleaning agent and stain remover on an area the size of a postage stamp. This might be in a corner, under a radiator or in a similar area.

Did you spill foundation or make-up on your carpet? Check out this guide on how to remove foundation from carpets.

More ways to remove blood from carpets

If you still didn't get the blood out of the carpet, there are a few more ways to remove the blood stain. Note that these are harsher methods that could damage your carpet, so remember to always test a small area before applying the solutions to the blood stain.

Using a mixture of water and ammoniacan be an effective way to remove blood stains from a carpet but remember to never use ammonia on woolen carpets. For this methods, mix 1-2 teaspoons of ammonia with water and apply the solution to the carpet. Let the solution work for 5-10 minutes before blotting the spot with a clean cloth.

Hydrogen peroxide can also be used in cases where the blood stain on the carpet is particularly persistent. Add a small portion of hydrogen peroxide to the blood stain and let it work for 1-2 hours. Then, blot the carpet clean and repeat the procedure if you're still not happy with the results.

Carpets can last a life time!

With the right maintenance and cleaning, your carpet will retain its appearance and good qualities for many years to come. For more information about maintenance readthe Service and Maintenance Guideand don't forget: Most stains truly are removable!

Check out egecarpets anti-stain carpets if you're looking for a carpet solution for your bar, restaurant or hotel.