Blood Stains on Your Mattress – How to Remove and Avoid New Stains

Stains on the mattress are unpleasant, but blood stains on the mattress are irksome and plain creepy. Blood stains on the mattress can be caused by bed bug bites, bleeding from a cut, or even unexpected period stains. They can be very hard to get off due to hemoglobin (a protein in the blood) clotting ability and binding to any material it comes in contact with.
Blood Stains on Your Mattress

How do you remove blood stains from your mattress? It can be removed by using liquid detergent, baking soda and others. Read on to find out how to get rid of blood stains on your mattress like a pro. 

Fresh Blood Stain Vs Old One

What Is A Fresh Blood Stain? 

A fresh blood stain is one that hasn’t stayed for more than 24 hours and has a bright reddish-brown color. Despite being hard to remove, it is way easier to remove a fresh blood stain than a dried one. 

An old blood stain has a darker red or brown color, it might absorb pigment from the material, and depending on how long it has stayed, turn black or gray.

How to Remove Blood Stains from Mattress

A mistake that should be avoided when trying to remove blood stains from the mattress is rubbing on the stain site and using hot water instead of a cold one. If you rub on the site, the stain will spread. Instead, dab the area with a wet towel or cloth until the stain is completely gone. Hot water should also be avoided because if used, it will set the stain and make it harder to remove. 

Some Methods Used To Remove Blood Stains Include The Use Of 

liquid Detergent

Liquid detergent contains a surfactant that penetrates the blood stain on the mattress and lifts it and makes it easy to remove. 

  • Place the liquid detergent on a wet piece of cloth or towel, and lather a bit.
  • wet the site of the blood stain a bit and dab continuously until the stain disappears. 
  • Do not rub or brush with the cloth, if you do, the stain will spread and it will be harder to get out.

Baking Soda

To remove the blood stain with baking soda, you have to make it into a paste. 

  • Apply the paste at the site of the stain and leave for 10-15 minutes
  • Take an old toothbrush and scrub gently to help remove any stubborn stains left. Wipe the baking soda off the mattress and your mattress is good to go. 

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Vinegar is a natural stain remover that has antibacterial properties. It works by loosening aluminum chloride and zinc salts, preventing stains from sticking. To remove the stain with baking soda and vinegar,

  • Cover all the extent of the stain with vinegar,
  • Make a paste with equal parts baking soda and vinegar 
  • Let it sit for about 30 minutes, scrub gently to make sure you get all the blood stains out, then wipe the baking soda off the bed with a wet towel (preferably white to avoid staining the mattress). 

Cornstarch

If you don’t have baking soda available, the key to removing the blood stain might be sitting right on your kitchen shelf. Cornstarch is a substitute for baking soda, although it takes a long while to work compared to baking soda. 

  • Mix one part water with two parts cornstarch to form a paste.
  • Apply on the stained area, and let sit for at least 1 hour
  • Wipe with a wet towel and let it air dry. 

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a natural whitening agent, and salt is a natural lifting agent. Apply the hydrogen peroxide to the site and add salt, allow to sit for at least 20 minutes and your mattress stain will be gone. Hydrogen peroxide works very well in removing new blood stains. 

Dish Soap

Mix 1 tablespoon of dish detergent with two tbsps of salt, then apply it to the stain. Let it sit for about 30 minutes, rinse gently and repeat the process until the stain is completely gone. 

Sea Salt

Sea salt works well in removing fresh blood stains, immediately the mattress gets stained, put some sea salt on the stain and let it soak for 5 to 10 minutes. Add a little vinegar to help you completely remove the stain, and allow the mattress to sundry or air dry. 

Meat Tenderizer

Non-seasoned meat tenderizer contains enzymes such as bromelain that helps to break down the stain. Mix ½ cup of meat tenderizer with water to form a paste. 

  • Dampen the stain with water
  • Apply the meat tenderizer, leave for about 30 minutes 
  • Wipe the stain away with a damp cloth. 
  • If the stain is not completely gone, repeat the process until it is totally gone. 

vanish

Vanish is a chlorine-free liquid stain remover that removes even the toughest stains. 

  • Pour the liquid directly onto the stain 
  • Leave for about 1 hour to soak 
  • After soaking, you can wipe the site of the stain to remove the stain 

bleach

Bleach is effective in removing old blood stains, it can be a little harsh for your mattress material, which is why you should opt for a fabric-safe bleach if you would like to use bleach to get rid of the blood stain on your mattress. 

  • Apply one tablespoon of salt to 1 cup of cold water
  • Apply this solution to the stain and let the bleach work its magic, don’t forget to ventilate or sun dry properly to get that chlorine odor out of your mattress. 

How to Avoid Staining Your Mattress

The best way to avoid staining your mattress is to use a good mattress protector that covers the top of your mattress or a mattress encasement that covers all parts of your mattress. If the protector gets stained, you can easily take it off and wash it, then replace it. 

FAQs

Will Vanish Remove Blood Stains from Mattress?

Yes, vanish will remove blood stain from your mattress. Just apply vanish to the stained area, allow to sit for 5 mins, and wipe off.

What Gets Period Blood Out of Mattress?

Hydrogen peroxide and a mixture of salt and baking soda or cornstarch will get period blood off your mattress, apply hydrogen peroxide to the area, then put the mixture of salt and baking soda, leave for a few minutes, and wipe off.

Will Bleach Ruin a Mattress

Yes, bleach can ruin your mattress, which is why you should opt for fabric-safe bleach if you would like to use bleach to get stains off your mattress. 

Essentially

Bloodstain on your mattress is unpleasant regardless of how it got there. You can remove blood stains from your mattress completely by following one of the methods stated above to rid your mattress of any blood stains, and the best way to ensure that your mattress is protected from stains is to use a mattress protector.