Accidents occur in our homes now and then. Unfortunately, some lead to blood stains on your beautiful sofa. It may be a period stain, an injury while kids are playing or when you’re busy doing household chores. Fortunately, they’re possible to remove.
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5 easy ways to remove bloodstains from your couch
You can get rid of blood stains on your sofa with a few simple ingredients and regular household cleaning items, including:
- Fresh lemon juice and salt paste
- Hydrogen peroxide
- White vinegar
- A water and liquid soap solution
- Cornstarch and detergent paste
Step 1: Soak up the blood with water
Soak up the dried bloodstain with a wet piece of cloth. Squeeze it out to remove excess liquid. Then use the towel to dab the stain until it saturates the area with water. This will help loosen the stain and draw the blood to the top.
Make sure you check the fabric of your couch first because certain fabrics advise against using water while cleaning. If your sofa is labeled with SW and W letter codes, then you can use water. If the label says SW and S codes, use alcohol instead.
Step 2: Remove excess blood with a brush
You can make use of a soft-bristled brush or just a toothbrush to gently scrub the stained area to remove excess blood. After brushing, clean the area with a dry cloth to remove what you can at this stage.
Step 3: Cleaning the bloodstain
At this stage, you have a few options. The stain is wet and now what we need to do is to get on with our goal of completely removing the bloodstain. Let’s look at the list above to decide which cleaning solution is best for you and your sofa.
Liquid soap and water solution
For this bloodstain removing process, you’ll need a soft-bristled brush, water and any kind of liquid soap (it could be handwash or dish soap).
- Start by mixing the liquid soap with cold water. Give it a good shake.
- Pour enough of the solution on the wet bloodstain to soak it.
- Using your soft brush, go on brushing lightly, you will see the stain disappearing you do this.
- Once you’re satisfied that the stain is completely cleared, dab it with a dry piece of cloth and leave it to dry.
Salt and lime juice paste
This time you’ll need a toothbrush, salt and lemon, which will help the bloodstain come off because salt particles are abrasive and have a dehydrating effect.
- Make a paste of salt and lemon and apply it to the stain.
- Using a toothbrush, rub the salt particles against the bloodstain lightly in a circular motion.
- Repeat the process until the stain has come off successfully.
- Dab with your wet piece of cloth and leave it to dry.
An undiluted white vinegar solution
Make sure to check if your sofa’s fabric can handle vinegar and do a spot test before you get started.
Pour undiluted white vinegar over the bloodstain and let it soak for about 5-10 minutes. No scrubbing is needed here, just blotting the stain with your wet white towel. You should automatically see the stains coming off. If not, just repeat the steps until it’s clear.
Detergent, salt and cornstarch paste
This time you’ll need a toothbrush, powder detergent, salt and corn starch.
- Spread a little powder detergent and a pinch of salt over the wet stain, depending on how big the stain is.
- Add some corn starch and brush it lightly with a toothbrush.
- Continue wetting the area to form a thick paste as you scrub and add the ingredients until the stain is completely gone.
Step 4: Rinse and dry the wet spot on the sofa
Once you are satisfied with the results of clearing the stain, blot the area with a wet towel to remove the excess cleaning solution. Then continue dabbing with a dry towel until the area is dried. You can also use a blow dryer to dry the spot more quickly.
Maintaining your sofa
As with all other stains, blood stains on your sofa should be removed as soon as the accident occurs or as soon as you spot them to avoid the stain setting in. It is almost impossible to remove stains after 24 to 48hrs.
Bloodstains may also harbor bacteria and germs which can contaminate the overall hygiene of your home, so they are not stains that should be ignored.
Frequently asked questions about blood stains
What removes blood stains from a sofa?
Try one of these simple remedies using readily available ingredients in your home to fight bloodstains:
- If the stain is fresh, pat with cold water and liquid soap
- Apply a paste made of salt and lemon, then dab with a wet cloth
- Soak the stain in undiluted white vinegar and let it stay for about 30 minutes, then clean with a wet towel
- Apply a thick paste of corn starch and water and give it a little scrub.
Is hydrogen peroxide suitable for removing blood stains from the sofa?
Hydrogen peroxide removes blood stains, though it’s not advisable to use on your sofa because it can bleach your furniture. Test it first on a small hidden area on your couch before using is as a couch cleaner.
Does vinegar remove blood stains?
Yes, soaking a blood stained area with undiluted white vinegar for a few minutes will remove bloodstains. Vinegar may also help preserve the color of your couch. Just make sure that your sofa’s fabric can handle vinegar by doing a spot test.
Will baking soda remove blood stains?
Baking soda alone will not clear a bloodstains, but can be used together with white vinegar.
- Mix baking soda and white vinegar with a little warm water,
- Pour enough on the stain to soak it and leave it for about 15-30mins.
- Scrub gently with a white towel and the stain will come off.
Baking soda is actually really good and advisable to use because it helps remove any foul odor on your couch and as blood smells.
Wrapping up
Couches make our living room spaces lovely, but sometimes stains happen. Bloodstains can leave you feeling worried and wondering if your couch is ruined, but using any of the above remedies will have your sofa back to new and give it the TLC it deserves. Clean couches equal a clean and welcoming home.
