How to remove blood stains from car seats

Everyone from police officers to parents of young accident-prone kids can get a bloodstain in their car at least once. Situations leading to blood stains can be stressful enough on their own; nobody wants to add permanent bloodstains to the mix. Below are a few quick tips that will help you remove blood stains from car seats.

Be sure to respond fast, as fresh blood stains are easier to clean than set bloodstains. It is all in the approach.

You can remove blood stains from car seats using readily available household products like:

• Table salt
• Baking soda
• Liquid dishwashing soap
• Hydrogen peroxide

Table salt can lift blood stains

Table salt is one of the many ways you can remove blood stains from your car’s seats, It has high dehydrating properties, and when mixed with a little water, it can moisten and lift the blood stains off the fabric.

You will need the following:

• A cup of cold water
• Two tbsp of water
• A microfiber cloth
• Paper towels

Procedure:

1. Blot the stained area with paper towels to remove excess blood from the spot.
2. Mix the table salt with cold water and stir evenly to form a fine solution.
3. If you have a spray bottle, use it to spray the solution onto the stain. If not, dip the cloth into the solution and rub the saline solution onto the bloodstain.
4. Work from the edges of the towards the center to prevent it from further spreading. 
5. Rinse the region and dry out excess moisture with paper towels 
6. Leave the affected area open to air dry.

Making a baking soda paste

A box of baking soda can do wonders for your car’s seats and other blood stained surfaces. Use it at home, in the office, or anywhere else blood stains are a problem. It is a well-known deodorant too and will get rid of the smell of blood as well.

You will need the following:

• 1/2 cup of baking soda
• A cup of cold water
• A microfiber cloth
• A toothbrush
• Paper towels

Procedure:

1. Scrape off the bloodstains as much as you can without damaging the car seat.
2. In a shallow bowl, mix baking soda with water to form a thick runny paste. For every tablespoon of baking soda, add in two tablespoons of water.
3. Using the clean microfiber cloth, dab the solution onto the affected region and allow it to sit on the stained spot for up to thirty minutes to allow it to act on the stain. 
4. Once it soaks up some of the stain, scrub gently with a toothbrush until the stain is lifted.
5. Afterward, rinse the affected region with a clean cloth dipped in water. 
6. Dry any excess water from the upholstery with paper towels and allow it to air dry.

Dish soap works on blood

The best thing for removing blood from a car seat is plain old liquid dish soap – an inexpensive and widely available product. It will soak into the fabric where blood has seeped in and dissolve it completely.

You will need the following:

• A tablespoon of a liquid dish soap 
• Two cups of cold water
• A microfiber cloth
• An old toothbrush
• Paper towels

Procedure:

1. Blot out any excess blood on the affected region using paper towels.
2. Mix the liquid dish soap and warm water to form a soapy solution. Put the solution in a spray bottle.
3. Spray the solution on the stained spot.
4. Use an old toothbrush to work on the stain. 
5. Once through, rinse with a wet microfiber cloth. 
6. Use remaining paper towels to dry the region and leave it to air dry.

Using hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is cheaper than upholstery cleaner, faster-acting than any other method (even commercial cleaners), and safer than household bleach. Many people use it to clean fish tanks and carpets because of its bleaching properties. It can also remove blood stains from car seats, especially those that are set in or dried.

This method should work on any fabric or material except leather. Pregnant women, children, and pets should stay away from hydrogen peroxide because it can be potentially harmful. Always do a spot test before proceeding.

You will need the following:

• A tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide 
• A cup of cold water
• A microfiber cloth
• Paper towels

Procedure:

1. If the stain is fresh, use paper towels to clear off any excess blood from the spot.
2. Drizzle hydrogen peroxide solution onto the stain and allow it to sit for no more than a minute to act on the blood stain.
3. Once the foam has reduced, gradually rinse the region with a wet cloth dipped in cold water.
4. Use the paper towels to soak up any excess water from the region.
5. Leave the affected area to air dry.

Frequently asked questions about blood stains

Which method is the best to use for dried set blood stains?

Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide can do a great job at cleaning dried up or set in blood stains. With hydrogen peroxide, do a spot check on an inconspicuous part of the car seat as it has a bleaching effect on fabrics and can damage the fabric.

Can the same methods be used on vinyl and leather car seats?

Vinyl and leather are more sensitive to bleaching and oxidizing agents. You should consider using an enzyme-based dish soap rather than baking soda or hydrogen peroxide, as these may damage your upholstery

Can you use warm or hot water to get rid of bloodstains?

No, you should always use cold water on blood stains. This is because warm or hot water heats the stain, and this causes the blood to seep in deeper into the fabric, making the stain even worse! Hot water will cause blood stains to set.

Condition after cleaning

Accidents happen. It is human nature. Fortunately, it is relatively easy to clean fresh blood stains. Set blood stains look and smell worse too, so make sure to clean the stain as soon as possible.

 There are commercial stain removers designed to break down bloodstains, but be sure they have the correct enzymes, or they may not work to your satisfaction.

Another good idea is to use a car seat conditioner after cleaning, especially if the stain was severe. This will make your car’s interior look and smell great.

With the above methods, blood stains on your car will be a thing of the past. Happy cleaning!