How to Remove Blood from Carpet

Whether it was a "friendly" wrestling match between teenagers, or a toddler that fell against something while running, you now have a bloodstain on your carpet, and are wondering whether it's going to come out. The answer is yes!

There are two approaches to getting the blood up and out. One involves soaking the area with water, generally by using a spray bottle of cold water, not warm. Some people feel that this will just spread the stuff around and skip this step, but it actually helps loosen and lift the blood particles, especially if the stain is partly, or fully dried.

You can then neutralize the blood by spraying with a solution of one tsp. of household ammonia in 1/2 cup of water. Again, apply with a spray bottle, as this avoids putting any pressure on the stain and the fibers, and prevents grinding the blood in further. Blot with paper towels or a cloth to remove the excess moisture. If you use Kleenex for its absorbency, remember not to rub and add paper fibers to the mess.

Next, apply a mild dish detergent solution of 1/4 tsp. soap to one quart of water. Dab it on with a wet cloth, and work in as if you were blotting the area. Continue to work in until the stain is gone. Rinse the area by spraying with plain water, and blotting it up with paper towels or a cloth. Finish by placing a pad of paper towels on top, and weighting them down. Leave overnight.

If the stain proves difficult to move, even after the detergent application, you can spray with 3% hydrogen peroxide, and then wait an hour before doing the rinse and blotting. However, as with any cleaner on fabric, test a small area to make sure you aren't going to bleach it.