You’ve checked online and in all the mail circulars. You know who has the television you want and at the price you want to pay. But there’s a problem: the store only has one left in stock, and you know there will be a hundred people waiting outside for the store to open, hoping to get their mitts on your television.

Let’s face facts, folks – holiday shopping is a blood sport – a zero sum game. If someone gets to that television before you, you don’t get that television. So, chances are good that you may come home from a shopping trip with a blood stain. Fortunately for you, the leading mold, water, and bio and trauma remediation company for the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex – RestoPros – is going to teach you how to clean a blood stain.

 

How to Remove a Blood Stain That’s Fresh

 

1. Soak in Cold Water.

The first thing you’ll do is make sure the blood stain is still wet. If it is, then immediately soak the stain in cold water with two tablespoons of ammonia – or table salt if you don’t have any ammonia. There’s a misconception that using hot water is better for removing blood stains. It is not. Hot water will actually make the stain set.

2. Apply Hydrogen Peroxide.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is an oxidizing agent. Peroxide reacts with enzymes in blood, causing an exothermic reaction and resulting in the breakdown of enzymes in blood. Apply the peroxide to the stain using a cotton swab. You should begin to see bubbling or foaming on the stain. This means the peroxide is working. If your fabric is dark colored and want to avoid bleaching, rub the stain with a bar of soap.

3. Launder with Enzyme-Based Detergent.

You’re now going to machine-wash the article of clothing in cold water using an enzyme-based laundry detergent. Most big-name brands of detergent are now enzyme-based, but check the box to make sure. Once the cycle is complete, make sure the stain is gone before putting the garment in the dryer. Remember, heat will cause the stain to set.

 

How to Remove a Blood Stain That’s Dry

 

1. Soak in Cold Water.

The first step is basically the same. Soak the fabric in cold water so that the fabric and stain are both wet.

2. Pre-Treatment Laundry Spray.

If you have a spray bottle of stain remover, spray that on the stain and let it sit. If you don’t have any, you can mix some laundry detergent and water and apply that to the stain instead.

3. Apply Ammonia to the Stain.

Using a cotton swab, apply some diluted ammonia to the stain. Make small circles with the cotton swab over the stain. Do this at least twice.

 

4. Launder with Enzyme-Based Detergent.

Same as with a fresh blood stain, you’re now going to machine-wash the article of clothing in cold water using an enzyme-based laundry detergent.

 

While these tips should give you the knowledge to get most small blood stains out of your clothes, they are not comprehensive by any means. The fact is, bio and trauma cleanup are not for the faint of heart and can often be extremely dangerous for those without the proper training, gear, and clothing required. The bio and trauma cleanup experts at RestoPros have a long-standing reputation for expertise, professionalism, and hard work.

If you’re looking for a skilled and highly trained technician for bio and trauma cleanup, mold testing, mold remediation, water damage restoration, or HVAC duct cleaning anywhere in the Dallas Metroplex, call us at (855) 58-RESTO (855-587-3786) to schedule an appointment today!