Selene asked: What cleaning products will remove luminol stains from porcelain and plastic? Luminol is created by mixing two chemicals together, producing a chemical reaction that causes blood to illuminate under specific lights. It is used at crime scenes and makes a major mess. My husband is a maintenance man for a hotel and has been given the task of removing all luminol used in an investigation there. So far, no luck. It seems to be embedded in the pores. Is there a product or method for removing luminol? Help! This has to be the worst stain I have ever seen.
Luminol is used in crime scene investigation to detect the presence of blood. Although it reacts with the smallest trace amounts of iron to show blood at the scene, it is usually liberally applied and leaves a huge mess behind. Unfortunately, cleaning the aftermath isn’t something left to the layman. In order to rid an area of luminol, its’ best to call a company specializing in biohazard cleanup and crime scene restoration. They have the expertise and equipment needed to safely and properly clean this stubborn stain.
However, if you are determined to remove the stains yourself, alcohol-based products are a good bet. The least harmful of these is isopropyl alcohol, though it should not be used on wood, leather, or delicate fabrics like wool. If a stronger alcohol is needed, try denatured alcohol or if available, ethyl alcohol. If you need to clean luminol off wood, try using mineral spirits first. If that doesn’t work, an alcohol product may be necessary. The alcohol will likely damage the wood finish, requiring that the area be refinished, although sometimes alcohol stains on a wood finish can be removed by rubbing a little cooking oil over the area.
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