Do not worry if you don’t know how to remove blood stains from sofa because we have a four-step procedure. You can do this at home, and there’s no need for unique solutions or equipment. Furthermore, we’ll discuss different techniques applicable for various types of sofas.
Besides blood, other body excretions can be a hassle to remove. Perhaps your child accidentally peed on the couch. We have written a guide on how to get the urine smell out of the sofa, so feel free to check that out.
How Do You Get A Blood Stain Out Of A Couch?
Step 1. Know your upholstery cleaning code
- Look for the tag on the upholstery to know the cleaning code of the sofa
- Code W on the sofa’s care label means that you can use water-based cleaning products
- Code S on the sofa’s care label means you must use solvents for cleaning the couch
- Code SW means the couch is compatible for cleaning with solvents and water
- Code X on the sofa’s care label stands for vacuum only, and using solvents nor water is not recommended
- Code DC stands for dry clean only
- Follow the recommended procedures and products of your sofa’s cleaning code to avoid damaging the material
Step 2. Test your chosen cleaner on the couch
- After determining the appropriate cleaner for your couch, test it on a small portion for additional security
- Apply soap and water, rubbing alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide in a hidden spot on the couch
- Let your chosen cleaner sit for 24 hours and check for staining, bleaching, or potential degradation on the spot
- Proceed to clean the blood stains once confirmed that there are no reactions
Step 3. Blot the stained area
- Remove as much dried blood as you can from the surface of the couch by scrubbing the stained areas
- Wipe off the resulting specks of dried blood with a dry cloth, and proceed to spot treating the stains
- Using the recommended cleaner by the upholstery cleaning code, spray the blood stains directly or use a white cloth dampened by the solution
- Never use colored rags because they might transfer the dye onto the sofa when wet
- Do not oversaturate the couch, and never use hot water that can set the stain and make it harder to remove
- Remember that you can only use soap and water for code W, while alcohol cleaners are only applicable to code S upholstery
- Dab the couch with the damp cloth to absorb the blood, but not in a rubbing motion that can push the stain deeper into the fibers
- Bring the furniture to a cleaning professional to remove the stains for cleaning codes that you can only vacuum or dry clean
Step 4. Clean the sofa
- After blotting the dried stains, use another cloth to remove the excess moisture
- Clean the sofa as you usually would, including the other items on it, such as the throw pillows
- You can wipe the sofa thoroughly with the proper cleaning solution
- If the rest of the couch is clean, vacuuming it thoroughly should suffice
- Make sure to target the crevices where dust and dirt can accumulate
- Ventilate the sofa to ensure that it will dry well before reusing it
How Do You Get Dried Blood Out Of Fabric?
Dried blood stains that are absorbed deeply into the fabric sofa are trickier to remove. Therefore, you will need an enzyme-based upholstery-safe cleaner to break down the stains. An enzymatic cleaner is effective for dried blood because it will turn it from water-insoluble to water-soluble, making it easier to eliminate.
Follow the instructions of the cleaner, which is typically saturating a cloth with it and then blotting the dried blood off. Dry the fabric with another cloth to remove the residues, or use a damp cloth with cold water to rinse the excess cleaner. Finally, allow the upholstery to dry naturally or place a fan in the room to hasten the process.
Can Vinegar Remove Blood Stains?
You can use vinegar for blood stain removal as long as it’s compatible with the material and the stain hasn’t set yet. Vinegar is especially effective on fabrics such as clothing and if it hasn’t been 24 hours since the material is stained. Apply white vinegar directly on the spot, let it sit for five minutes or longer, and blot off before washing the fabric as you usually would.
If you also need to remove oil stains from the sofa, vinegar is a helpful solution you can try.
Does Baking Soda Remove Blood?
Baking soda can remove blood, especially as a spot treatment before washing the stained material. Make a paste of baking soda with water and apply it directly to the blood stains. Let the paste soak for half an hour and remove it before washing as usual.
Note that baking soda is very handy for cleaning the furniture. You can clean a leather sofa with baking soda as well.
Conclusion
Blood stains on furniture are not something you should be scared of. To recap this guide on how to remove blood stains from sofa, you only need to check the code, and you’ll have an array of cleaners to choose from. Dab the stain off with soap and water or rubbing alcohol, remove the excess moisture, and air-dry.
We hope this article has helped you restore your sofa. Let us know in the comments if you know other solutions to share.