Remove Dried Blood Stains from Fabric

By Matt Oden | Comments | Bodily Fluids Stains → Blood | Fabric Stains → Clothing

Removing dried blood stains from fabric requires a different approach than fresh blood stains. By following the steps below you should be well on your way to getting the dried blood stain removed.

Steps for Removing Dried Blood Stains from Fabric

Pretreat using a prewash stain remover or undiluted liquid laundry detergent. Allow to remain on the stain for up to 30 minutes. This helps loosen the stain from the fibers of the fabric.
Wash using liquid laundry detergent and color-safe bleach.
Inspect the fabric to ensure that the stain is removed. If it is not, do not place the fabric in the dryer. The heat produced by the dryer will further set the stain, making it difficult to remove.
If the stain persists, wet the stain with hydrogen peroxide. Apply a few drops of ammonia to the stained area. Allow to penetrate the stain for 15 minutes.

Once the stain is removed, rinse the fabric in cool water. Then launder as normal.

When the Dried Blood Won't Come Out

When the above technique hasn't worked, you have another option that could help get the blood stain out of the fabric:

Get a bucket
Pour in 1 cup of bleach
Mix in 2 table spoons of lemon juice
Place fabric in bucket
Immediately pour in one teapot (more if necessary depending on size) of boiling water
Let soak overnight

If this technique for getting blood out doesn't work, and bleaching the blood stain doesn't work, then consider replacing the fabric; sorry.