We all tend to keep adequate maintenance levels when we buy new carpet. Still, sometimes different things can happen, and we may be in trouble, looking for answers to how to get blood out of carpet. Various types of stains may cause damage to your carpet and cannot be cleaned. One of the most difficult ones to deal with, of course, are bloodstains.
You may not be aware of how easily blood can finish on your carpets; even without a severe accident. Anyhow, small cuts or bruises of kids who are always running into walls or furniture could be the ones that will make your carpet a stained-one.
Bloodstains are one of the most difficult ones to deal with. They’re not only dark and vividly red in color, but there’s also another significant reason why blood stains are so hard to clean. The hemoglobin in blood is like glue, and it will stick to the fibers of the carpet. One point you must remember when it comes to this is that you must act as quickly as possible if you do get blood on your carpet.
Further on, there are two ultimate ways on how to get blood stains out of the carpet. You have to make a difference on if the blood is dried or still fresh. Dry blood, of course, requires more subtle and in-depth methods for a successful taking out.
How to Clean Blood Out of Carpet
Make sure you keep in mind that the methods mentioned here may not be suitable for every type of carpet. You may want to make a spot test on the area of the rug, which is clean. Then you can wait for 15 minutes and check if the used method did not cause any damage to that part of the carpet.
How to Remove Fresh Blood
Here, you can find some essential tips when it comes to dealing with a fresh bloodstain on your carpet. You can wipe up the blood with a dry, white cloth or non-dyed absorbent paper. Also, you can use kitchen paper towels to dap the bloodstain carefully.
Make sure you don’t rub as this may increase the size of the bloodstain. Instead of this, the blood needs to be blotted off, and then you will be ready for the next step. In addition to this, you can read a couple of useful pieces of advice and tricks when trying to remove fresh blood from your carpet.
- Blot
You must act fast if you have a fresh bloodstain on your carpet. You can start by blotting the blood as much as you can by using a clean cloth or paper towel. The more useful tool is the cloth, but still, if you’re afraid to stain it, you can use paper towels. However, you may need to change them a couple of times.
The best way to blot is to start from the edges and work your way towards the center. Make sure you don’t rub the spot because this will only cause it to spread further into the fibers.
- Wet With Cold Water
Take a spray bottle and fill it with cold water. After this spritz on the blood and give it a minute or two. Another option is to pour a small amount of cold water using a glass or any other vessel. Keep on applying water until the area is slightly damp, too much water can damage your carpet.
Some people prefer to use club soda or tonic water instead of tap water. Although there are no clear indications on how fizzy beverages remove stains, they’re certainly not able to cause any significant damage to your carpet.
An important note you must remember here is that you should never apply hot water to a bloodstain. The high temperature will only set the stain on your carpet permanently.
To put it simply, make sure you repeat steps one and two until the stain disappears. Most likely, you will have to make a few repetitions, but you mustn’t give up. If the spot on your cloth gets discolored, you can use a different place, so you can keep on changing until the stain is gone.
You may feel tired of blotting, so you can try a wet vac or carpet extractor with a small attachment. These will help to remove the moisture and the stain successfully.
- Salt Treatment
If the stain doesn’t go away after hours of blotting and wetting, you may try with salt. Make a paste of salt and cold water in a small bowl. Apply a small amount of the mixture directly onto the bloodstain and leave it for a couple of minutes. Take a clean cloth and blot the salt and stain away. Check the fabric every once in a while to see if the stain is coming out or not.
Make sure you remember that salt can cause damage to the fibers of the carpet if left for a considerable amount of time. You must vacuum the area thoroughly once the procedure is finished.
- Potato Starch
It may sound funny, but you can also use potato starch to get rid of bloodstains. You can do this by applying some lukewarm water on the stained area. After this, you can drizzle some potato starch on the stain and leave it to dry for 24 hours before you vacuum the carpet. In most cases, this will be enough, and the bloodstain will disappear.
- Diluted Dish Soap
If the salt method and the potato starch method didn’t pay any result, you might want to try the diluted dish soap treatment. Just use a small amount of liquid detergent. Dilute one or two teaspoons of dish soap in one cup of cold water. Use a white cloth by soaking it in the solution and applying it directly to the bloodstain.
Afterward, fill a spray bottle with cold water and rinse the area. You can use a dry cloth to blot it dry. Make sure you don’t use any soap or detergent which contains lanolin or bleach. These can damage and discolor your carpet.
- Dry The Carpet
After you succeeded in removing the bloodstain now, it’s time to dry the carpet. You may want to use a fan for doing this since it’s the quickest way. Direct the fan towards the wet area of the carpet and allow it to run for a few hours.
You can quicken the drying process by using paper towels or a dry towel to remove moisture from the carpet. Spread them across the wet area and put something heavy to help impress the moisture out. Some blood could show again if it were soaked in the padding. This can happen if the drying process takes too long. A new stain will be formed in this way, a fact which can be quite frustrating.
- Restore The Fibers
You may want to restore the original shape of the carpet, once you finish cleaning. You can do this by vacuuming the area to bring the fibers out. You may also consider using a toothbrush to fluff the area softly.
The vacuum is a better option if the bloodstained area was vast and spread onto several spots on the carpet. It’s a more convenient way to restore its shape, instead of sitting on the floor and scrubbing it with bare hands.
How to Remove Dried Blood from Carpet
If the bloodstain has dried and you acknowledge it a little bit late, then you’re in real trouble. Before we go into details and a couple of methods to try in such a situation, you may want to try to scrape the bloodstained area with a dull kitchen knife. This will help to loosen flecks of blood and thus make it easier for removal. Anyhow, you may want to reconsider this trick because it won’t work on its own and you shouldn’t try it on valuable carpets.
- Shampoo and Ammonia
How to get blood out of the carpet using the usual shampoo and ammonia? One of the best and most effective ways to get rid of the blood on any given surface is by using ammonia. Still, make sure you use it properly since it has the potential to damage or discolor silken or woolen materials.
It’s better to start the process with detergent instead of using ammonia on its own. This will also reduce the time required for the ammonia to work its magic, and it can significantly decrease the risk of damage. You can pour one cup of water into a spray bottle and add two teaspoons of shampoo. Liquid dish soap is also an option. Make sure you shake the mixture well and spray the stained area. Give it a few minutes to soak it up.
Take another spray bottle and pour in one cup of water and add one tablespoon of household ammonia, then shake up the bottle to unite them. Further on, blot the area dry by using a cloth before applying the ammonia. After you spray the ammonia, give it a few minutes. Blot the area dry again and rinse with clear water. You can do this by spraying the ammonia on and blotting it out.
An important note for you to remember is that ammonia can produce toxic fumes, so you have to be careful when you use it. You may want to keep the room well ventilated and wear gloves and a mask.
- Enzyme Cleaner
Another good option for you to consider when it comes to getting rid of a dried bloodstain includes trying enzymes. Enzymes are a natural tool that will help bacteria to break down organic matters like urine, vomit, feces, and blood. You may try with any commercial enzyme-based cleaner as long as it’s safe for your carpet.
You can apply the product by following the instructions on the label. These are usually sprayed directly onto the stained area and left out for a certain amount of time. In the end, you can finish by rinsing the area and blotting it dry.
Even though enzyme cleaners are effective, make sure you don’t use them on silk or wool carpets. The enzymes can break down the fibers together with the blood.
- Hydrogen Peroxide
This can also be used in cases when the bloodstain on the carpet has dried and is relatively enduring. You can add a small portion of hydrogen peroxide onto the bloodstained area and let it work its magic for a few hours. You can still blot the carpet clean and repeat the process if you’re not happy with the ending result. It’s also good for removing the wine stains from the carpet.
- OxiClean
OxiClean is one more option for you to think about if you are more into using specialty cleaners rather than making your solution. You can dissolve it in warm water and follow the instructions on the label. Moisten the stain and let it soak it up for a few minutes. You can blot it with a dry cloth after this. You can also use this method if you’re dealing with other types of stains like red wine, coffee, or stains from your pet.
Final Thoughts
It may seem incredibly hard to get rid of bloodstains from your carpet, but it’s certainly not impossible. If you act quick enough and use the proper methods, you will be successfully able to restore the original shape and condition of your carpet.
You must always remember to blot and not rub a new bloodstain. Rubbing is not a good option as it can cause the blood to leak into the fibers and thus make it more difficult to remove. Always choose cold water instead of warm or hot as it will prevent the blood from tethering to the carpet.
With the proper maintenance and cleaning methods, your carpet will persevere its appearance and good qualities for many years ahead. Just make sure you use them correctly and on time, and you will realize that most bloodstains indeed are removable.