If you’re staring at an unfortunate patch of blood on your carpet, you’ll be wondering about the best way to remove it. Blood can be tough to remove from carpet, but it’s certainly not impossible.
In this article, we provide a simple water-based way to get rid of blood stains from your carpet, and a selection of other methods that should work on stubborn stains.
How to remove blood from carpet
If the blood is fresh, the best thing you can do is work on the stain quickly. The longer the blood has to sink into the carpet, the harder it will be to remove.
Here’s how to remove blood from your carpet using just water:
1. Remove the excess blood
Collect as much blood as you can with a dry white cloth or white paper towels. Gently dab as you go—don’t rub or push hard because this will force the blood deeper into your carpet.
If it’s a large stain, start from the outside and work your way inwards.
2. Spray cold water on the stain
Using a spray bottle, spray cold water onto the stain so that it becomes damp (but not soaked). Let this sit for a few minutes.
3. Remove the water, and spray again
Dab the stain with a dry cloth or paper towels to absorb the moisture (you can also use a wet vac for this). If the stain is still visible, spray the cold water again, let it sit for a few minutes, and then dry it again. Keep doing this until the stain is gone.
Methods for stubborn or dried blood stains
If water isn’t doing the trick, try any (or all) of the methods below. We strongly recommend sticking to these solutions only—never use chlorine-based or bleach-based products, as they might discolour your carpet.
Carpet stain remover
A carpet stain remover may be able to remove the blood from your carpet. Just be sure to read the instructions carefully before you buy, as some may not be suitable for your particular carpet material.
Salt paste
Mix salt with a small amount of cold water and stir, until it forms into a thin paste. Apply the paste to the stain and let it sit for a few minutes. Then blot the area with a dry cloth or paper towels. Keep doing this until the stain is gone.
Be sure to vacuum up the salt once the area has dried. If the stain is still visible, try the next step.
Dishwashing liquid
Mix 1 to 2 teaspoons of dishwashing liquid with 1 cup of cold water. Soak a cloth into the solution and apply it to the stain. You can also try gently scrubbing the stain with a toothbrush.
Once done, spray the area with cold water, and then dab it dry.
Ammonia solution
Caution: do not use this method on a wool carpet, as ammonia can damage its fibres.
Mix 2 tablespoons of ammonia with a cup of water. Add the solution to a water bottle, spray it onto the stain, and let it sit for a few minutes. Then blot the area with a dry cloth or paper towels.
Hydrogen peroxide
Apply hydrogen peroxide to the stain and leave it for roughly an hour. Blot the area dry with a cloth or paper towels, and repeat until the stain has gone.
