How to Get Blood Out of a Mattress

When it comes to blood stains, there are a few things to remember:

Act quickly! – We’ve already said it, but as soon as you notice the blood stain it’s important to act fast. The longer the stain sits unattended, the harder it will be to remove.

Blot, don’t scrub – Avoid rubbing the blood stain when attempting to clean it, as this can cause it to smudge and soak further into the mattress.

Use Cold Water – Warm soapy water might be the first thing you head for, but do not use warm or hot water! Warm water can cause the blood to coagulate and set into the fabric of the mattress, whereas cold water helps to dissolve the blood and lift it out more easily.

Cleaning Products to Get Blood Stains Out of a Mattress

To remove a blood stain from your mattress, you will need some basic cleaning products and equipment.

• Hydrogen Peroxide: This is an effective and inexpensive solution for removing blood stains. It works by breaking down the blood proteins, making it easier to remove. You can apply it directly to the stain with a clean white cloth or mix it with washing up liquid and water to create a cleaning solution.
• Enzyme Cleaner: An enzyme cleaner can also be effective for breaking down the proteins in the blood stain. As with Hydrogen Peroxide, you can apply it directly to the blood stain. Once applied, you can let it sit for some time before blotting the stain.
• Salt and Water: Salt can help to absorb the blood and remove the stain. Mix two tablespoons of salt with one cup of cold water to create a solution. Once applied to the stain, let it sit for 10-15 minutes before blotting it.
• Baking Soda: Baking soda is a natural cleaning agent and deodoriser that can help to remove any residual odour from your mattress.

In addition to the cleaning solution you’re using, you’ll need either a clean white cloth or paper towels for blotting up the blood and applying the solution. Wearing protective gloves is optional, but is highly advised when you’re handling various chemical solutions and cleaning products.

How to Get Blood Stains Out of a Mattress

Blood stain removal is not necessarily an easy task but, if you’re well prepared and act fast enough, you’ll stand a good chance of restoring your mattress to tip top condition:

1. Start by using a clean white cloth or paper towel to gently blot up any excess blood. You’ll want to remove as much blood at this stage as you can. If the stain is fairly new, this should be easier, as dried blood will already be set into the mattress. This latter event makes a stain more difficult to tackle. Be careful not to rub the stain, as this will cause it to further embed itself into the mattress.
2. Once you’ve blotted up the excess blood, apply cold water to the stain. Dampen a new cloth or paper towel with cold (not warm!) water and repeat the blotting technique. The cold water will soften any dried blood in the mattress and prevent it from becoming further embedded. As you do this, you should notice the stain starting to clear up.
3. Now the first stage is complete, you can start mixing your cleaning solution. In a small bowl, mix one tablespoon of washing up liquid with two tablespoons of Hydrogen Peroxide. Alternatively, you can use Salt and Water or a Baking Soda solution, but Hydrogen Peroxide is the popular choice for good reason.
4. Now you have your cleaning solution ready, you can apply it to the stain. To avoid spillages it’s advised to use another clean white cloth or paper towel and dip it into the cleaning solution first. Gently dab the blood stain multiple times with the cleaning solution and then let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. This will give the chemicals time to break down the stain.
5. Once the stain has been left for up to 10 mins, it’s time to blot it again to remove the cleaning solution from the mattress. Use a dry clean cloth and dab the area again, slowly removing the solution.
6. Continue to remove any remaining cleaning solution on the mattress by dabbing at it with a damp cloth.
7. Finally, sprinkle the affected area with baking soda to absorb any remaining moisture and odour. Let the baking soda sit for at least 30 minutes, and then vacuum it up.

By following these steps, you should hopefully be able to remove the blood stain from your mattress. If a stain persists, you can try repeating the cleaning process or using an alternative cleaning solution (e.g. Enzyme Cleaner or a specifically-designed stain remover).

Preventing Blood Stains on a Mattress

If you’ve read a few of our mattress cleaning articles, it will come as no surprise to you to learn that our first preventative tip is to…

Consider Using a Mattress Protector
Using a mattress protector is easily one of the most effective ways to prevent blood stains from reaching your mattress. A good quality waterproof mattress protector can actually protect your mattress from all types of spills, and can then be easily removed and washed as and when there is need.

Another basic preventative measure is simply to…

Wash Your Bedding Regularly
Sometimes, you might not discover a blood stain on your sheets for quite a while, and over time it may inadvertently begin to embed into the mattress underneath. Therefore, regularly washing your bedding – including your sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers – can help to prevent any stains from building up on your mattress.

For more tips, have a look at our article that deals with Tips for Good Mattress Hygiene.