Cleaning Effectively At Home

Posted on: 31 March 2023

Carpets are lovely, and they can make your home feel luxurious — but it only takes one bloody nose or a kid's scraped knee to leave a brand-new carpet looking worse for the wear. Bloodstains can be notoriously difficult to remove from carpets. However, there are a few simple methods you can try to get rid of bloodstains and restore your carpet to its former glory.

The key to removing blood stains from carpets is to act quickly. The longer you leave the stain, the harder it will be to remove. As soon as you notice a bloodstain on your carpet, blot it with a clean cloth or paper towel to absorb as much of the blood as possible. Then try the following time-honored methods for coping with what's left:

1. Use Cold Water

Once you've blotted the bloodstain, the first thing to try is simply rinsing the area with cold water. Avoid using hot water, as this can cause the blood to "set" deeply into the carpet fibers. If the stain is small and relatively fresh, that might be all you need.

2. Try the Salt Trick

If the bloodstain is still visible after rinsing with cold water, try sprinkling some salt on the area. The salt will help to absorb the blood and lift it out of the carpet fibers. Leave the salt on the stain until it's entirely dry and has absorbed all it can, then vacuum it up.

3. Use Baking Soda and Water

Another tried-and-true method for bloodstain removal is mixing two parts baking soda with one part water to make a paste. Apply the paste to the bloodstain and cover the stain, making sure to get the paste deep into the carpet's pile. Once the paste has dried, vacuum it up and rinse the area again with cold water.

4. Try Hydrogen Peroxide

Stubborn blood stains may need more aggressive treatment, so break out the hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide triggers an oxidation process in the blood that can help break it down and release it from carpet fibers. Gently apply to the affected area a little at a time and wipe it away when the bubbling stops.

5. Call a Professional

Finally, if all the home remedies fail, call a professional carpet cleaning service. These companies have products with special enzymes in them that will tackle just about any stain in a carpet — including blood. They can quickly set your carpet and your residence back in order.