How to Remove Blood From Carpet: Tips and Tricks

We spend a lot on carpeting our home and keeping it clean with weekly vacuuming and care. It can be upsetting when something stains our carpets, mainly if we can’t get the stain out. For challenging stain removal questions, including how to remove blood from the carpet, turn to the carpet cleaning experts in Vail, AZ, from Steam Smart Pro.

Handling Stain Removal

Steam Smart Pro is Tucson’s most trusted carpet cleaning service. We provide affordable rates to clean all your carpets and help maintain their beautiful appearance. No stain is too tough for us. 

Dedicated to providing fast, friendly, and affordable services to our customers, we understand that not all stains require qualified carpet cleaning technicians. Believe it or not, the average homeowner can remove most stains from the carpet if they are not left to set into the carpet. While we often recommend professional cleaning agents when dealing with difficult stains, most minor stain removal from the carpet does not require them if cleaned up quickly. 

Steam Smart Pro is proud to serve you and your family to ensure you live in a happy, healthy home environment. Our dedication to you includes providing you with the personal tools and tips to handle minor carpet issues independently.

Before You Begin

Regardless of the type of stain, there are a few general practices regarding stain removal, including:

• When an accident has occurred, it isn’t always possible to clean a stain right away, particularly blood; however, the sooner stain removal can begin, the easier it will be and the greater the success rate.
• Before using any cleaning agents or products, test the solution to ensure it will not damage or discolor your carpet. Do so on a postage-sized area of carpet that is out of sight.
• Never use chlorinated or bleaching agents as these are known to discolor carpets.
• Always work from the center of the stained area and move outward.
• Pay special attention to whether hot or cold water is needed—hot water can make it easier for some stains to spread.

Tried and True

You are not the first to ask how to remove blood from the carpet, and you will not be the last. This is likely not the only time you will get minor blood or other difficult stains on your carpet. 

As the area’s favorite in professional carpet cleaning services, we at Steam Smart Pro want to share tried and true techniques with you. Using our expertise and the experience of those who have struggled before us, we recommend several methods the next time you encounter a blood stain on your carpet.

Common Successful Methods

There are four successful methods for removing blood from the carpet that we can share here. These methods utilize items that most of us have in our homes already. Begin by using a soft bristle brush to break up dry blood if the stain has been allowed to sit for a long enough amount of time.

Using Dish Detergent

1. Combine a tablespoon of clear, scent-free, liquid dish soap with approximately two cups of cold water.
2. Dip a clean white cloth into the solution and sponge the stain with the cloth until it disappears.
3. Once the stain has disappeared, sponge the area with a clean white cloth dipped in cold water.

Using Hydrogen Peroxide

1. As already discussed, test a small carpet area to make sure the hydrogen peroxide will not discolor your carpets.
2. Lightly dip a cotton swab in hydrogen peroxide and dab over the stained area until the area is clear.
3. Once removed, let the stained area rest for approximately one to two hours.
4. Rinse the previously stained area with a clean wet cloth and air dry.

Using OxiClean

1. Dissolve OxiClean in warm water.
2. Saturate the stained area with the solution.
3. Allow it to sit for approximately five minutes.
4. Blot with a clean, dry cloth.

Using Potato Starch

1. Wipe up excess blood by dabbing it (not rubbing it) with a clean, dry cloth.
2. Apply cold water to dissolve and dilute the stain.
3. Dab the light stain with a clean, damp cloth.
4. Absorb the stain by blotting with another clean, dry cloth.
5. Drizzle potato starch over the stained area and let it sit for 24 hours.
6. Vacuum thoroughly.

Additional Methods

If the above methods do not entirely remove the stain, the following additional techniques may help.

Salt Water

1. Add approximately two tablespoons of salt to a liter of water.
2. Dampen a cloth in the saltwater solution and dab the stain until it loosens and disappears.

Special Stain Removers

1. Let the stain dry.
2. Apply special stain removers according to the instructions on the packaging.

Ammonia and Water

1. In a spray bottle, combine one or two tablespoons of ammonia with water.
2. Spray the solution over the stain and allow it to sit for five to ten minutes.
3. Dab dry with a clean, white cloth.

Post-Cleaning Tips

Here are a few common tips about caring for the stained area after learning how to remove blood from the carpet: 

• Once cleaned, prevent restaining by thoroughly rinsing and removing any remaining cleaning agents.
• If the stains reappear for any reason, it is an indicator that some of the original stain or stain removing agents remain.
• If treatment or cleaning of the stain leaves your carpet looking soiled, it is an indicator that the rug needs overall cleaning. 

With the proper maintenance, cleaning, and care, your carpets can last a lifetime. Click here to read more about carpet stain solutions.

Steam Smart Pro

Steam Smart Pro is Tucson’s most reliable and professional carpet cleaning service. We clean carpets and much more. Whether you need a professional clean before selling your home, or a deep clean in a high traffic space, we have the experience and expertise to serve you. 

Don’t let your stains set in and ruin the appearance of your beautiful carpets. Steam Smart Pro provides same-day services at affordable prices and strives for 100% customer satisfaction. For more on how to remove blood from carpet or to schedule a cleaning appointment, contact Steam Smart Pro at (520) 462-1183 today.

Author Bio:

Eric Bullard

The owner of Steam Smart Pro in Tucson, AZ, brings over 20 years of invaluable experience in the field of carpet, tile, and air duct cleaning. With a strong dedication to quality and a deep understanding of effective cleaning techniques, Eric consistently delivers outstanding results to his satisfied residential and commercial clients.