How to Remove Old Blood Stains from a Mattress

As with any stain, the sooner it is treated, the easier it is to remove, but sometimes it is just impossible to get to a stain right away. Old blood stains can be especially difficult to remove and may require several applications before the stain is gone or at least less noticeable.

With mattresses, it is impossible to toss them into the washer the way you would a garment. If there is a wet/dry vacuum available or steam cleaner with an upholstery attachment, it will help to remove the cleaning fluids from the fabric. Avoid letting them set on the fabric permanently as they may damage the fibers.

You Will Need:

• Cold Water
• Salt
• Cornstarch
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Clean soft cloths
• Plastic spoon or spatula
• Vacuum

How to Remove the Stain:

1. Since you don’t want the fluids to run deep into the mattress fibers, we will start by making a paste. Hydrogen peroxide and salt are the active ingredients in this paste that will remove the proteins in the blood.
2. Mix together ½ cup of cornstarch, 1 tablespoon of salt and ¼ cup of hydrogen peroxide. It should be the consistency of toothpaste. If no hydrogen peroxide is available, try using plain water and allow the salt to work at the stain.
3. Use the spoon to apply a layer of the paste to the surface of the stain.
4. Allow the paste to dry completely.
5. Scrape away the dried paste and vacuum the area.
6. Examine the stained area, repeat steps 3-5 until the stain is removed.

For stubborn stains, more direct treatment methods may be necessary. Use caution when applying these liquids directly to the mattress to avoid over soaking. With mattresses, it is impossible to toss them into the washer the way you would a garment. If there is a wet/dry vacuum available or steam cleaner with an upholstery attachment, it will help to remove the cleaning fluids from the fabric. Avoid leaving them set on the fabric permanently as they may damage the fibers.

You Will Need:

• Cold Water
• Salt
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Ammonia
• Clean soft cloths
• Cotton balls
• Spoon
• Wet/dry vacuum (do not apply heat to the area until the stain is completely removed.)

How to Remove the Stain:

1. Begin by moistening the stained area with a small amount of cold water.
2. Cover the stain with salt and allow it to set for up to 2 hours or until it dries completely.
3. Scrape away the salt layer with
4. Treat the remaining stain by applying hydrogen peroxide to the area using a cotton ball. The hydrogen peroxide will begin to bubble, this is the reaction that you want.
5. Wait for the bubbling to stop.
6. Blot the area with a clean cloth, working from the outside in to remove the stain along with as much of the hydrogen peroxide as possible.
7. Repeat steps 4-5 as necessary.
8. If the stain still won’t budge, mix 1 tablespoon of ammonia with 1 cup of water and apply using the same method as above.
9. Gently blot from the outside in until the stain is removed.
10. As soon as the stain is removed completely (or removed enough that it is not noticeable), clean the entire area with a wet/dry vacuum or a steam vac (if it possible to turn off the heater). It is essential to remove the hydrogen peroxide and ammonia from the mattress to avoid damage to the fibers. If possible, clean with a mild soap and cold water. Remember that using hot water will set any remains of the stain that may be there.

• Baking soda and white, unseasoned meat tenderizer can also be made into a paste to remove the old blood stain. Make a paste using the baking soda, meat tenderizer and cold water and apply to the stain. Let it set for 15-30 minutes. Scrape away and rinse with cold water.
• Avoid using warm water, it speeds up the setting process and makes the blood stain more difficult to remove.
• If nothing else works, try spitting on it. It may work, especially if it’s your own blood.