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This article was co-authored by Robert Shapiro. Robert Shapiro is a Laundry Specialist and the General Manager at Milt & Edie's Drycleaners & Tailoring Center in Burbank, California. With more than a decade of experience, he specializes in dry cleaning, stain removal, tailoring, alterations, and green and eco-friendly cleaning processes. Robert has also been featured in publications such as Cleaner and Launderer Magazine.
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For one reason or another, you may find yourself having to deal with blood stains on bedding -- perhaps if you have hyperactive children prone to accidents. Blood stains on cotton pillowcases should not be very difficult to remove, the key is to act on the stain as quickly as possible. Read on from step one below or try the Hydrogen Peroxide Method.
Steps
Using salt is an effective method of removing blood spots from a Pillowcase. Salt does not have any side-effects on the Pillowcase material, such as discoloration.
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Fill a sink or a bucket with cold water. Put the cotton Pillowcase inside to completely saturate it. -
Hold the areas of the Pillowcase near the blood spot with each hand, then rub against each other to help loosen the blood.Advertisement -
Lay out the Pillowcase on a work area. -
Pour some table salt or meat tenderizer on the blood spot and allow to settle for about 20 minutes. This should normally remove much, if not all, of the blood from the fabric. -
Rinse the fabric under cold running water. -
Pour a small dollop of shampoo or dishwashing detergent over the spot. -
Repeat the rubbing of the soiled portion of the fabric against each other, as with step 2. -
Rinse the fabric under cold running water. -
When the blood spot is completely gone, launder the Pillowcase as usual.
Hydrogen peroxide is a known cleansing agent, and it is effective for blood spots as well. When using the chemical to remove blood spots, be sure to carefully wash the Pillowcase afterward.
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Lay out the Pillowcase on a work area. -
Pour hydrogen peroxide directly on the blood spot. Usually, a solution with 3% strength would suffice. -
Let the hydrogen peroxide fizz or bubble for a few minutes, to allow the chemical to react to the blood spot and break it down. -
Blot with a damp sponge or cloth.[1] -
Repeat steps 2 to 4 until the blood spot is removed. -
Launder the Pillowcase as usual, in cold water.- Alternatively, you can take it to a professional who can clean it with a blood and protein remover known as BPR.[2]
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
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For fresh, small blood stains, dishwashing or laundry detergent should normally be enough to take out the blood spot.Thanks
Warnings
- Do not use warm or hot water to get the stain out, as heat will set the stain on the fabric. Likewise, do not run the fabric under the dryer before stain removal.Thanks
Things You’ll Need
- Bucket
- Cold water
- Table salt or meat tenderizer
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Dishwashing detergent or shampoo
- Sponge or clean cloth
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References
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/laundry/how-to-remove-dried-blood-stains.html
- ↑ Robert Shapiro. Laundry Specialist. Expert Interview
- http://www.howtocleananything.com/home-interior-tips/bed-room-cleaning/blood-from-sheets/
- https://housewifehowtos.com/clean/how-to-clean-a-mattress/
About This Article
If you have a bloodstain on your pillowcase, there are a couple of easy ways you can remove it. One option is to use hydrogen peroxide. Just pour the hydrogen peroxide directly onto the stain and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, blot the stain with a damp sponge, and repeat the process if you need. Once the stain's gone, you can wash the pillowcase in cold water. You can also use salt to remove a bloodstain. Start by soaking the pillowcase in a bucket of cold water until it's saturated. Then, remove the pillowcase and pour table salt onto the blood stain and let it sit for 20 minutes. Afterward, rinse the fabric under cold, running water. After you’ve rinsed it, rub a small amount of shampoo or dishwashing detergent into the stain to loosen it. Rinse the fabric under cold water again, then, you can wash the pillowcase as normal. To learn how to use meat tenderizer to remove blood stains, read on!
Reader Success Stories
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"Method 1, with salt, worked perfectly. Thanks for this excellent tip."
