Accidents happen, and sometimes those accidents involve blood stains on furniture.
Knowing how to remove blood stains from a couch can be a real lifesaver if you value your furniture. By acting quickly and applying some household cleaning products like dish soap or laundry detergent, you'll be able to have your couch looking brand new.
Read on for our guide to cleaning fresh blood stains from couches.
Method 1: Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide can cause bleaching and damage so make sure to do a spot test first. If you're good to go, you have an almost fool-proof cleaning solution for blood stain removal.
If you don't have hydrogen peroxide, you can replace it with rubbing alcohol and use the same method.
What you'll need:
Clean cloths
Cold water
Hydrogen peroxide
Dish soap mixed in water
Cleaning process
Start cleaning as soon as you notice the blood since fresh blood is much easier to clean than dried blood stains.
Use a clean white cloth to blot the stain so you can remove most of the blood. Never rub the stain as this will cause the blood to spread and stick to the fabric. A white cloth works best as you can constantly rotate it to blot with a clean spot.
Using a clean cloth, apply some hydrogen peroxide to the stain. Allow it to sit for a couple of minutes before blotting it with a slightly damp cloth.
With yet another clean cloth, apply some soapy water to the stain and dab it to remove the hydrogen peroxide and blood.
You'll notice the blood stain has completely disappeared. You can blot it dry with some paper towels or leave it to air dry.
Method 2: Enzymatic Laundry Pre-Treater
This treatment works great for tough blood stains.
What you'll need:
Enzymatic laundry pre-treater
Clean cloths
Cold water
Cleaning process
You're going to have to follow the instructions on the label for whichever pre-treater you are using.
Most enzymatic cleaners require some time to sit on the blood stain. Once this time has passed (according to instructions), use a clean cloth to dab the area to lift the stain and the cleaner.
Spray or pour some cold water on the stained area to rinse, and use a clean towel to dry the now stain-free spot.
Method 3: Baking Soda
Baking soda works well for removing blood on most fabrics and upholstery.
What you'll need:
Baking soda
Clean cloths
Water
Dish soap
Soft-bristled brush
Cleaning process
Use a clean rag to blot up any excess blood before getting started.
Mix baking soda with a little bit of water until you have a thick paste. Smear the paste on the blood stain, and leave it to sit for up to 30 minutes.
You'll notice that the drying paste will turn pinkish, which shows that the baking soda is absorbing the blood.
Once the paste is dry, brush it off with a soft brush or vacuum over the spot, then wash the area with some soapy water.
Rinse with clean water and pat with a dry cloth.
Method 4: Liquid Dish Soap
This solution works well for lighter, smaller blood stains. It is a gentle cleaning solution and won't work well on stubborn stains.
What you'll need:
Liquid dish soap
Cold water
Clean cloths
Paper towels
Cleaning process
Mix a cup of water with a few drops of dishwashing soap until you have some cold, soapy water.
Dip a clean (preferably white) cloth into the soapy solution and wring it out so that it is damp, but not dripping. Start blotting the blood stain, moving the cloth so that you are constantly blotting with a clean part of the cloth.
Rinse the cloth in clean water, and repeat the process with the soap water, until you can no longer see the stain.
Rinse the area with clean cold water and blot it dry with a paper towel.
Method 5: Salt
Salt works for removing blood stains as soon as they happen. The salt absorbs the blood, lifting it from the couch fabric.
What you'll need:
Table salt
Water
Cloths
Toothbrush
Cleaning process
Salt is not the most effective stain remover but if you have a fresh stain, it can absorb most of the blood.
Blot up most of the blood with a clean cloth first. Mix salt with a bit of water to form a paste, and apply the paste to the stain.
Allow the paste to dry for at least 15 minutes. The salt should turn pink as it works on the stain.
Brush off the dried salt with a soft-bristled toothbrush or vacuum, and clean the area with some soapy water as described in Method 4 above.
Method 6: Laundry Detergent
Most of us have laundry detergent at home, making it an easy option to remove blood stains from your couch. Before you begin, test a small part of your couch's fabric to make sure the detergent won't damage it.
What you'll need:
Mild laundry detergent
Cold water
Cloths
Cleaning process
Create a soapy solution by mixing a couple of spoons of laundry detergent into a bowl of water.
Use a clean white cloth to blot the soap water onto the blood stain. Rinse the cloth in clean water (not soapy water) as you continue blotting the stain.
The cloth should be damp, but not dripping, as over-wet fabric may cause the stain to spread.
Once the stain is gone, rinse the area with clean water and dab it with a dry cloth.
Calling The Cleaning Experts
Removing blood stains from your couch and as well as car seats is easy if the stain is small or fresh. But, if you are dealing with a crime scene or a large blood spill, it can be impossible to properly clean and decontaminate the area.
Blood and bodily fluids are considered biohazards, which is why you may need the services of a professional bio-hazard decontamination team. Chore-ology's team of experts can help with blood cleanup, ensuring all harmful pathogens and bacteria are eliminated.
In extreme circumstances (such as if a violent crime or death occurred), it may not be possible for your couch to be cleaned. Chore-ology will be able to remove any infected upholstery or furniture and get rid of it safely and responsibly, allowing you to live in a habitable space without bloodborne pathogens.