A small cut, a nosebleed, or just an accident: a blood stain on the sofa or mattress triggers instant panic. Understandably so, since blood contains proteins that set into the fibres when exposed to heat — making the stain much harder to remove. With cold water and the right order of steps, though, a blood stain is often still fixable, even if it’s had time to soak in.
What you’ll need
- Clean, white cloths
- Cold water (never warm!)
- Optionally: a small amount of washing-up liquid or a dedicated fabric cleaner, such as our Fabric Cleaner
Step by step
- Always use cold water, never warm or hot. Heat sets the proteins in blood into the fibres, making the stain permanent. This is the single most important rule with a blood stain.
- Blot the stain with a cold, damp cloth. Work from the outside in to avoid spreading the stain, and don’t rub.
- Switch cloths regularly. Once a cloth is saturated with blood, grab a clean section — otherwise you just smear the stain back in.
- For a stubborn or dried-in stain: mix a small amount of washing-up liquid with cold water and blot the stain with it, then rinse with plain cold water.
- Let it dry fully and check that the stain is completely gone before considering the spot done — an invisible trace can resurface later.
A note of caution
Always test any product on an inconspicuous spot first. A dried-in stain may need a few repeats of these steps — don’t force it by scrubbing, as that damages the fibres.
When should you call in a professional?
Has the stain been there for days, does it cover a large area, or does a shadow remain visible despite treatment? Then the blood has often soaked in deeper than a surface treatment can handle. Our professional cleaning tackles stubborn protein stains with specialist products, without damaging the fabric. Get in touch for free, no-obligation advice.
