Table of Contents:
Blood 
stains can be especially difficult to remove because the hemoglobin in the blood acts as a binder when it contacts oxygen and binds with the material in the carpet. You may want to try a test application on a small, hidden spot to be sure it does not damage the color or fibers of your carpet.
Blood Stain Removal
It is easiest to remove blood when it is still wet. Dried blood stains are notoriously harder to remove. Also be sure throughout the process to blot the stain, not rub it, as this will only push the stain further into the carpet fibers. Use the following steps along with the appropriate cleaning solution for your carpet type.
You Will Need:
- Cleaning solution (choose one):
- Wool: 1 teaspoon mild, non-alkali detergent with 1 cup cold water
- Synthetics: 2 tablespoons household ammonia with 1 cup cold water
- Oriental: 1 part white vinegar with 2 parts cold water
- Clean white towels
- Spray bottle (for cleaning solution)
- Rinsing Solution:
- 2-6 drops mild, non-alkali dish detergent with 1 cup cold water
- Water bottle
How to Remove the Stain:
- Begin by blotting with a clean cloth to remove as much of the blood as possible. It’s very important to BLOT throughout this entire process DO NOT SCRUB. Your goal is to “lift” the stain, not rub it into the fibers. Working from the outside of the stain towards the center will keep the stain from spreading.
- Spray stain with cold water.
- Blot to remove as much of the stain as possible.
- Spray a small amount of cleaning solution on the stain.
- Blot with a clean dry cloth until no more stain shows on the cloth. You will need to change your cloth often or use a clean patch of the towel each time as you are blotting to be sure you are not spreading the stain.
- Repeat steps 4 and 5 until the stain is no longer noticeable.
- Spray with rinsing solution.
- Blot with clean cloth to remove.
- Spray with clean water.
- Blot with clean cloth. Repeat as necessary to be sure all cleaning solution has been removed.
- Cover stain with clean cloth or stack of paper towels and put heavy weight on top (heavy books, etc.)
- Leave set for several hours to absorb any remaining liquid.
- Remove weights and cloths and let area air dry.
- When spot has dried completely, vacuum thoroughly to restore carpet texture and pick up any remaining cleaning solution residue.
- If the spot turns brown when it dries, mix 1 part vinegar with 2 parts water. Apply the solution on the dried spot and blot to dry. This can be repeated ONE time.
Additional Tips and Ideas
- The following common household items can be used to remove blood stains: baking soda, meat tenderizer, salt, or hydrogen peroxide along with cold water.
- For baking soda and meat tenderizer, make a paste using cold water and apply to the stain.
- Pour salt on the stain and blot with a towel dampened with hydrogen peroxide solution (2 parts water to 3 parts hydrogen peroxide). Rinse by blotting with a clean, damp towel.
- Avoid using warm water, it speeds up the setting process and makes the blood stain more difficult to remove.
- Do not use laundry detergent or dishwasher detergents as they may damage the fibers of your carpet.
- Do not use bleach or ammonia on wool carpets as it will damage the fibers.
- Use the bottom of a spoon to gently work cleaning solutions into the carpet without damaging the fibers.
- If nothing else works, try spitting on it. It may work, especially if it’s your own blood.
- Do not use carpet spot cleaners on oriental rugs as it will damage the fibers.
- Oriental rugs should be cleaned with caution. If your rug is an antique, silk, or part silk, contact a professional to remove the stain.
Also, you can use hydrogen peroxide, but you cannot leave it on for more than a few minutes and must rinse two to three times with water after the fact. Have fun!
The best thing I have used for removing blood from carpet is Woolite Pet Stain and Odor Remover Plus Oxygen. This stuff is awesome. My dog had a bleeding wound and got blood all over my carpet. I sprayed all the blood stains with this and quickly blotted it up with a micro fiber cloth. They completely disappeared.
Milk will also remove blood, from carpet and also from clothing. Just dip a clean cloth into some milk and dab at the bloodstain in the carpet. After some dabbing, the stain will be gone. Then clean the milk from the carpet using some soapy water or carpet cleaner.
I just removed blood from carpet by using OxiClean. Blot first. I then dabbed on cold water and blotted again. Then used the OxiClean solution. Follow directions on box.
This OxiClean works like magic.
After my dog got a bad cut from banging and breaking a window, and we returned from the emergency vet six hours later, I sprayed the dried blood with saline solution and it came out completely! No major rubbing, or spraying and waiting. It just came right up! There was a lot of blood, and every single drop came out (of a champagne-colored carpet, no less).
Several of these methods, especially plain whole milk, scrubbed in (like for ladies underwear), will remove blood stains. If you are unfortunate enough to encounter a situation where a person bleeds out (mine was a home invasion where three guys were involved–really dumb as I train and have war dogs in the house). The blood thoroughly soaked the carpet, pad and sub-flooring. Don’t waste your time cleaning it. It’s pricey, but just have it replaced or stains will reappear in a matter of weeks.
All the above methods work depending on circumstances. But, as above, if it’s really a mess, replace it and save the headaches. I cleaned it, multiple times, had it professionally cleaned several times, but when carpet is ruined, it just needs to be replaced.
Excellent advice! Thank you so much. My dog impaled her mouth on a stick, and bled all through the house and my daughter’s car. Commercial stuff didn’t work, but the soapy water cure did the trick. Thanks again.
Can anyone recommend a non-alkaline detergent to clean bloodstains from a carpet?
These ideas are fantastic and just saved my brand-new beige carpet! I used Angela’s milk solution because I had just bought some. Thank you!
I tried Michelle’s idea of a saline solution on my beige carpet after my dog ran through the house with a cut paw. You could see the blood dissolving and with a little blotting on each stain, it came right up – and this was a week after it happened.
Great post; very informative!
Thanks to the useful comments. I am going to try saline solution (1 part salt to 9 parts water) and a little ammonia; should do the trick!
Thank you all for the great posts. I read many of them and made my final solution; here is what I did. The blood stains disappeared so fast it shocked me! I read where the blood needed protein to break it down, spit from the person who bled is best, salt, baking soda, and peroxide; these ingredients I thought I’d try.
I used a very little spit to dampen the three stains, sprinkled a little salt and made a small solution of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide in a bowl and dipped a towel in the solution. I didn’t really need to scrub. GONE SO FAST!!! Amazing!
I used Dawn dish liquid; dropped it on and worked it in with a rag. I then let it set for five minutes and dabbed with a white cloth. Then, I poured on cold water, dabbed with a clean cloth, and hit it with a wet/dry vac and let it air dry.
While the blood was still wet, about 12-15 minutes after a dollar-coin sized amount collected on my carpet, I used only water and a towel, starting by pouring a some water on, then blotting it with paper towels (paper napkins to be precise). I repeated this several times then switched to a white towel as advised above. The blood came out almost entirely just using water this way.
We had some bloodstains on our carpet that we could not get back to for three days. Not a big bloodstain, just a trickle trail. Used a spray bottle with a lot of ice and water, and two sprays and “pull” (with a dry towel) and the stain is gone!!