How to remove old blood stains from mattress with hydrogen peroxide

David asked: “How can I remove dried blood from a mattress? The stain has been there for over four years.”

Blood

The Enzyme Cleaner Method

This method is listed first because it has the best chance of working if used first. Whenever cleaning products like soap are used to treat a stain before using an enzyme cleaner, the soap may kill the enzymes before they can work to remove the stain. It’s possible this method could still work after you try one of the other methods, but it has the best chance of success if tried first.

You Will Need:

• An enzyme digester, such as Kids ‘N’ Pets
• Plastic wrap
• Tape
• A vacuum cleaner

How to Remove the Stain:

1. Get an enzyme digester cleaner, such as Kids ‘N’ Pets or Nature’s Miracle. These can be found on the pet aisle of your local supermarket. Look for products that specifically say they can be used on blood stains, which the ones listed here do.
2. Follow the instructions on the label of your specific cleaner. The general instructions are simply to apply the cleaner to the stain, then let it air dry. These cleaners continue to work as long as they are wet, so you may want to apply the cleaner every couple hours until the stain is fully removed.
3. If you need to sleep on the bed while the area is still wet, cover the area with plastic wrap and tape down the edges of the plastic wrap. Be sure to use a mild tape like masking tape though to avoid getting adhesive stains or residue on the mattress. You can then make the bed as usual.
4. When the stain is gone, vacuum the area with an upholstery brush on the vacuum hose to remove any residue from the cleaner.

The Poultice Method

Using a poultice is a great way to get out a stain with minimal moisture. Since a mattress is something that you probably want to have fully dry in the next few hours, this is a great option.

You Will Need:

• Cold Water
• Salt
• Cornstarch
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Clean soft cloths
• Plastic spoon or spatula
• Vacuum

How to Remove the Stain:

1. Start by making a paste. Hydrogen peroxide and salt are the active ingredients in this paste that will remove the proteins in the blood.
2. Mix together ½ cup of cornstarch, 1 tablespoon of salt and ¼ cup of hydrogen peroxide. It should be the consistency of toothpaste. If no hydrogen peroxide is available, try using plain water and allow the salt to work at the stain.
3. Use the spoon to apply a layer of the paste to the surface of the stain.
4. Allow the paste to dry completely.
5. Scrape away the dried paste and vacuum the area.
6. Examine the stained area, repeat steps 3-5 until the stain is removed.

The Spit Method

If the blood is your own, this is a great method. The enzymes in your saliva can work to break down your blood. This method may still work even if the blood isn’t yours though.

You Will Need:

• Spit
• Hand soap
• Water
• A cloth

How to Remove the Stain:

1. First, as gross as it may sound, spit on the stain. Really put a good glob of spit on there, then rub it into the stain.
2. Let the spit sit on the stain for a few minutes to start breaking down the blood.
3. Wet a cloth with water, then wring it out so it’s not dripping.
4. Put a drop of hand soap on the cloth then rub it onto the blood.
5. Continue applying more spit on the stain, then rubbing in more soap until the stain is removed. Turn the cloth to a clean area as needed.
6. Sponge the area with water to rinse.
7. Press a dry towel onto the area to remove as much moisture as possible.
8. If you need to sleep on the mattress before the area has fully air dried, use a hair drier to dry the area. If the stain is not completely gone though, only use the cool setting on the hair dryer as heat will set any blood that remains.

If the Stains Won’t Budge

For stubborn stains, more direct treatment methods may be necessary. Use caution when applying these liquids directly to the mattress to avoid over soaking. With mattresses, it is impossible to toss them into the washer the way you would a garment. If there is a wet/dry vacuum available or steam cleaner with an upholstery attachment, it will help to remove the cleaning fluids from the fabric. Avoid leaving them set on the fabric permanently as they may damage the fibers.

You Will Need:

• Cold Water
• Salt
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Ammonia
• Clean soft cloths
• Cotton balls
• Spoon
• Wet/dry vacuum (do not apply heat to the area until the stain is completely removed.)

How to Remove the Stain:

1. Begin by moistening the stained area with a small amount of cold water.
2. Cover the stain with salt and allow it to set for up to 2 hours or until it dries completely.
3. Scrape away the salt layer with a dustpan.
4. Treat the remaining stain by applying hydrogen peroxide to the area using a cotton ball. The hydrogen peroxide will begin to bubble, this is the reaction that you want.
5. Wait for the bubbling to stop.
6. Blot the area with a clean cloth, working from the outside in to remove the stain along with as much of the hydrogen peroxide as possible.
7. Repeat steps 4-5 as necessary.
8. If the stain still won’t budge, mix 1 tablespoon of ammonia with 1 cup of water and apply it to the stain with a cotton ball.
9. Gently blot from the outside in until the stain is removed.
10. As soon as the stain is removed completely (or removed enough that it is not noticeable), clean the entire area with a wet/dry vacuum or a steam vac (if it’s possible to turn off the heater). It is essential to remove the hydrogen peroxide and ammonia from the mattress to avoid damage to the fibers. If possible, clean by sponging the area with a mild soap and cold water. Remember that using hot water will set any remains of the stain that may be there.

Additional Tips and Ideas

• Baking soda and white, unseasoned meat tenderizer can also be made into a paste to remove the old blood stain. Make a paste using the baking soda, meat tenderizer and cold water and apply to the stain. Let it set for 15-30 minutes. Scrape away and rinse with cold water.
• Avoid using warm water, it speeds up the setting process and makes the blood stain more difficult to remove.