Removing any stains from cushions and couches can be a challenge, even worse when they are bloodstains. You can easily get rid of bloodstains from your clothes; simply toss them in the washer. But, when it’s your couch or the upholstery getting stained, then your washing machine will no longer be an option.
So, how to get blood out of upholstery? Here are a few effective ways that’ll help you get rid of bloodstains using easily available household items!
9 Easy Ways To Remove Blood Stain Out Of Your Upholstery
#1. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent that can clean up any stain effectively. Apply a drop or two of 3% hydrogen peroxide directly to the bloodstain and watch as the red stain disappears.
You can give it about 5 minutes before wiping it off with a clean damp cloth. Just be cautious and don’t leave the solution on for too long, especially if your upholstery has dark coloring.
#2. Diluted Dishwashing Liquid
Here’s a simple way to get rid of bloodstains. Make a dishwashing solution by adding a tablespoon of your regular dishwashing liquid to two cups of water. Use a white washcloth and dab the blood-stained area with the solution.
Avoid using a colored washcloth or you might risk the color transferring and ruining your upholstery.
Keep blotting the stain until it becomes lighter and eventually disappears. Then, use a dry cloth to wipe the area clean.
#3. Laundry Detergent
A laundry detergent solution is another great way to remove stubborn stains. Combine a small amount of laundry detergent with cold water to create your liquid laundry detergent solution. Use a white cloth to remove the bloodstain by dabbing it.
You can also gently rub your cloth in strokes or circular motion, always working with a clean side. Dab until the stain is removed, and then continue dabbing the spot using a different, clean cloth to dry it.
#4. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is a jack of all trades when it comes to cleaning hacks. Lemon is slightly acidic in nature, making it an effective and cheap solution for getting blood out of your upholstery.
Dilute lemon juice with some water and use a spray bottle to spray this liquid directly onto the area. You can even sprinkle some salt on the stain and then work on getting the blood out using a soft sponge.
Do not excessively rub against your upholstery. When you are happy with the result, you can wipe the excess liquid with a sponge and dry the area.
#5. Rubbing Alcohol
Another proven solution is to use isopropyl alcohol. To use it on the bloodstain, dampen an undyed, soft washcloth with alcohol and then blot it on the stain.
Once the stain is 100% gone, use a dry cloth and dab the spot to dry it off.
#6. Hairspray Or Hand Sanitizer
You might be surprised to find that hairsprays and hand sanitizers can also work very well for removing stains because of their alcohol content.
To use a hairspray, spray the hair product on the fabric and then use a damp washcloth to blot the stain. Apply a little pressure but don’t rub the upholstery too much as it can cause the bloodstain to spread. Rinse your washcloth with cold water and blot the area again until the blood is completely gone.
As for hand sanitizers, you can follow a similar process. Pour a few drops of hand sanitizer on the bloodstained area and blot it with toilet paper until the stain is gone.
#7. Baking Soda And Water
Baking soda is another great ingredient for removing stains. Make a baking soda paste using two parts of baking soda mixed with one part of water. Apply it to the stain and let it sit for half an hour.
Then, remove the paste and use a damp cloth to blot the spot to wipe it clean. Allow it to completely dry. If the stain remains, you can repeat this process a couple of times more.
#8. Leather Couch With Hydrogen Peroxide
Leather sofas are not only challenging to maintain, but they are equally complicated to clean. However, hydrogen peroxide is one of the ways through which you can successfully remove blood stains off your leather couch.
Use a damp cloth to apply a few drops of hydrogen peroxide to the stain by dabbing it gently. When the stain starts bubbling, wipe the area dry to remove the residue.
#9. Leather Couch With White Vinegar
Vinegar is a classic pantry solution for all cleaning problems. You can use white vinegar against food stains, grease, oil, and, yes, even blood stains. And when you dilute your white vinegar in water, you can also safely use it on your leather couch.
The process is simple — mix vinegar and water in a spray bottle and shake it well. Spray the solution directly on the stain on your leather couch, and then use a soft sponge to repeatedly blot the area.
Steps To Remove Blood Stain Out Of Your Upholstery
#1. Check For Washing Instructions
The first step is to check your couch’s upholstery or cushions for any care labels. Usually, you will find labels or codes that will provide specific washing instructions.
For instance, if you see a code “S” or “X,” skip the DIY remedies and take the covers to either a dry cleaner or upholstery cleaning professional. If you see a “W” or “WS,” then you can use home remedies.
#2. Check What Items You Need
When you plan to remove the stain yourself, you need a few essential items. The first thing you’ll need is a few undyed washcloths. Depending on the solutions of your choice, you may also need a spray bottle and a couple of sponges.
#3. Pre-Treating The Stain
As soon as you notice a bloodstain on the upholstery, dab as much of the blood as you can using paper towels or clean washcloths. This will help prevent the blood from seeping through.
You won’t be able to absorb all the blood, but you can minimize the amount of dried bloodstain, which can be even more difficult to remove.
Once you have pre-treated the bloodstained spot, clean the stain using any of the methods listed above.
Techniques To Remove Blood Stain Out Of Your Upholstery
#1. Soak The Stain
This is an effective technique for dry blood because soaking it loosens up the stain and makes it easier to remove it.
#2. Blot The Stain
Blotting allows you to absorb the bloodstain along with the liquid cleaning agents you will be using. You want your upholstery to take in as little liquid as possible, and blotting is an effective way to achieve this. Blotting also prevents the stain from spreading.
#3. Wipe The Stain In Circular Motion
Using a circular motion while cleaning helps reduce the residue of your cleaning solutions. This is because your washcloth will be continually drying the solution left from the initial wipe.
#4. Dry The Area With Dry Towel
After getting the stain out, make sure that the treated area is completely dried. This helps prevent any musky odor from your couch and stops bacteria and mold from developing from the inside.
